Tonight ABC launches its newest reality series, “The Glass House”. Haven’t heard of it? Well, the network is putting a unique spin on things with the integration of social media usage as well as the similarly designed set-up linked closely to the popular show “Big Brother”. By the way, there seems to be a battle of controversy in comparison to both shows. CBS doesn’t seem too happy with the new series, and the network is actually in the process of trying to legally put an end to it. So what exactly makes this reality show different from its predecessor? The ability to provide a very one-on-one viewer experience, and the utilization of social networks. Reality television has become one of the most popular television genres over the last decade. Almost every show on television has either a complete or partial reality basis intertwined within the storyline. Practically every series has a Facebook and/or Twitter account (#InsertYourFavoriteShowHere). However, this post is dedicated to the description of what may be the new wave of interactive social media television.

If you are interested in seeing exactly what goes on in this new show, The Glass House premieres tonight from 10:00-11:00pm (Eastern Standard Time) on ABC. The competition gives its viewers “real-time” control: from what they eat to what they wear (almost like a video game with a human twist). The winner will have a chance to obtain a grand prize of $250,000, but they aren’t only playing the game, they must appeal to the audience every time the show airs. When the show is not airing on its scheduled time, a live stream is also available online… Talk about non-stop reality!

There will be a weekly voting system, much like other shows, in which one contestant will be sent home. Also, the viewers can control who will be allowed to return to the house. Did I mention that these players are all living with complete strangers?! Yes, they do not know any of these people, and they have absolutely no idea what to expect as they continue the game live. Their audience provides feedback on social networking sites (positive and negative), and the contestants must utilize all of this information and apply it to their role in the game to make them a better “social” player (or to at least keep them in the house long enough to win the grand prize).

Some may view this show as a complete and utter violation of privacy while others are very interested in seeing the show’s first airing tonight. What are your thoughts? Will this social interactive reality show be the next big hit among the reality genre? Or will it fail in attempt to ‘wow’ its critics?

I will give a summary of my feedback on the show tomorrow morning. Your feedback is also welcomed.

“The most important alliance a contestant can have is with their fans!”- ABC