RPA is a medical show currently screening on Channel 9. Basically, it invites the viewer at home to discover what goes on behind closed doors at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. It has recently won an award for the best reality TV series at the Logies for 2003 which shows it is a popular show that . RPA is a fly-on-the-wall type of show where the audience gets a front row seat to the lives of strangers in this hospital.
             I think the viewers enjoy Reality TV as it shows people in situations that they would not normally be in creating vulnerability. RPA fits this mould perfectly as most of the people in the show are about to go under the surgeon's knife, they are very vulnerable and not sure if the surgery will go as planned. As Greg Hassall from the Sydney Morning Herald explains, "This is great television, touching without out being overly sentimental; dramatic without resorting to sensationalism". This is another reason why audiences would find RPA attractive. It also show 'Real' people instead of actors who show real emotions, like a person who has recently been diagnosed with an incurable disease. It might not be a happy time, but it is 'Real' and shows true emotions.
             Some people may dislike RPA for some of its graphic content. It sometimes tends to show very gory and sometimes stomach churning images of what has happened after an accident etc. It could also at times be depressing for people to watch as it sometimes will show people receiving bad news.
             Reasons why patients might find it alluring to go on this show could be to get their 15 minutes of fame. Even for a show like RPA where there is no prize money at the end like 'Survivor', being on television would be an attractive prospect for most people. I also suspect Channel 9 would pay the patients that they show on the show or maybe help out with some of the medical bills.
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