“The Political” in Reality Television: A Case Study of Academy Fantasia Fan Phenomena

Abstract

This article aims to define the concept of “the political” in Thai media through relationships between reality television and its fans using Jean Baudrillard’s ideas namely political economy of the sign, the four
logics of consumption, simulation, hyperreality, and silent majority. The study shows that reality show “Academy Fantasia” can create simulation through the presentation of signs that are coherent with social script of its audience. Together with multi-channel, real-time participation, audience and fans of this show experience the simulation by themselves. The existence of fans is both the concretization of simulation itself, as well as the rejection of Baudrillard’s notion that audience would become a mere silent majority when simulation works perfectly. This fan phenomenon is therefore proof of operation of power in the realm of media where everything seems to be solely about entertainment, and not politics.