Combining cutting-edge theories of culture and government with programming examples--including "Todd TV, " "Survivor, " and "American Idol"--"Better Living through Reality TV" moves beyond the established concerns of political economy and cultural studies to conceptualize television's evolving role in the contemporary period. A major textbook on the impact of reality and lifestyle television on today's programming, and on broader social, cultural and political trends Draws on a range of examples from "The Apprentice" and "American Idol" to "Extreme Makeover" and "Wife Swap" Argues that reality television teaches viewers to monitor, motivate, improve, transform and protect themselves in the name of freedom, enterprise, and personal responsibility