In my reality TV era - Episode 5
Reality Television. Some people love it, some people hate it, but as a 90’s kid I feel like my generation has really grown up with reality television.
From the early days with The Hills and American Idol to reality TV produced by streaming services, a lot has changed and today I’m sharing some of my favorite reality TV shows and why there’s more to reality TV than people think.
Create & consume
What Austen is creating this week: our wedding photo album, I got one from Amazon and printed the photos at CVS
What Austen is consuming this week: The Tortured Poets Department! Sharing my thoughts on Taylor’s newest album on the pod
In this episode:
The Three Main Types of Reality TV
Documenting People's Lives
Reality TV began with shows like The Real World, which documented everyday lives and provided an unscripted glimpse into the cast’s personal journeys. These shows made viewers feel intimately connected to the participants.
Competition Shows
Competition reality TV brought excitement with shows like Survivor, Big Brother, and American Idol, engaging viewers through voting and social media. These shows showcased participants' resilience and creativity.
Dating and Love
Shows like The Bachelor, Love is Blind, and Love Island captivated audiences with the emotional highs and lows of romance and dating. The drama and unpredictability kept viewers hooked.
My Early Days of Reality TV
Entry Point to the Fashion Industry
Reality TV introduced me to the fashion industry through shows like The Hills, The City, Project Runway, and The Rachel Zoe Project. These series were my gateway into a world of style and design.
College Years
In college, I explored the impact of reality TV academically in a Media & Society class, earning my only A+ for an essay on The Hills. My interest in The Bachelor deepened during this time, starting with Jojo Fletcher's season.
Reality TV Today: The Golden Age and Beyond
Favorite Bachelor Era
The Bachelor became a social event, with iconic seasons featuring Nick Viall, Rachel Lindsay, and others. Watching with friends turned into a weekly ritual.
Challenges and Changes (2020-2022)
COVID-19 brought significant changes and controversies to The Bachelor, revealing problematic biases and uncomfortable experiences for contestants. Commentary podcasts like Game of Roses and Dear Shandy made watching more enjoyable despite the turmoil.
Branching Out to Other Fun Reality TV
I explored other shows like Love Island UK, Love is Blind, and Traitors, each offering unique entertainment. The Bachelor has improved as well since Mike Fleiss left the show, with standout seasons from Charity Lawson and Joey Grazidei, and the wildly entertaining Golden Bachelor series.
Summary
As interesting as reality TV can be as a standalone piece of content, the cultural commentary surrounding this genre makes it even more entertaining and shows the impact of it on society long after a new season of the show wraps.
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