Religion and Reality TV: Faith in Late Capitalism provides a valuable constellation of case studies in the increasingly popular place of religion in the contemporary TV landscape. The collection's insightful analysis of how religion, spirituality, and identify have been monetized within the generic and format expectations of reality TV make the book useful for classes focusing on television studies and/or religion. This collection's particular attention to specific religious traditions and identities as well as more generalized spirituality provide multiple approaches to faith within reality TV. Charlotte E. Howell, Boston University, USA Religion and Reality TV: Faith in Late Capitalism provides a valuable constellation of case studies in the increasingly popular place of religion in the contemporary TV landscape. The collection's insightful analysis of how religion, spirituality, and identity have been monetized within the generic and format expectations of reality TV make the book useful for classes focusing on television studies and/or religion. This collection's particular attention to specific religious traditions and identities, as well as more generalized spirituality, provide multiple approaches to faith within reality TV. Charlotte E. Howell, Boston University, USA
The essays are uniformly strong and compelling, reflecting a range of methodological commitments and disciplinary training. They are all written in a manner to engage non-specialists. The volume as a whole will prove a valuable resource for teachers and scholars in the fields of religion and media, religion and pop culture, and religion and visual culture. For scholars and students new to these fields or looking for a way to engage this undeniable substratum of our shared reality, I commend reading and assigning individual essays in this volume as a way to join the conversation. Kathryn Reklis, Fordham University, USA