It seems like everyone wants to become famous no matter how it’s done, as long as it means building up their following on Instagram and TikTok. A huge number of these young adults are trying to make their way into mainstream media through reality TV, ranging from shows about finding love to shows that capture working environments.
Many shows that fit in the genre of finding love, such as “Love Island,” usually always lead to success on social media after the show has aired. Although fame can be inevitable when going into mainstream media, I personally see it as a cash grab. It is a way for conventionally attractive people to stop working their 9-5 job and get their 15 minutes of fame.
While I don’t necessarily view this as entirely negative, it is still problematic when audiences develop parasocial relationships with these reality TV personalities, whom they have only interacted with through screens. It gets to a point when an audience builds a parasocial relationship with these reality personalities which they have only met on TV or social media. Whether it’s from making constant criticism on how they are on a day-to-day basis, to commenting on their relationship status.
This is especially prevalent in “Love Island” as the whole show builds its premises on the audience voting on who their favorite couple is and who should be dumped off the show. Making this show all built on bias, parasocialness, and straight up delusion.
In “Love Island” Season 7, two contestants Huda Mustafa and Jeremiah Brown were coupled up, but viewers at home decided to vote for Jeremiah to be coupled up with another girl Iris Kendell. The contestants have no control on who they want to end up with because the viewers at home have control on what really happens.
Even in the previous “Love Island” season, when contestants are announced, it’s as if it is a call from the viewers to dig up any dirt they have on them so see if they can kick them off the show and cancel them forever.
These parasocial relationships may seem like a way to escape but when you think about it, it’s sad to see how people are so dedicated to others lives that they have no care on what’s happening in theirs
Even with the return of “Vanderpump Rules.” Probably one of the best reality shows in history with a cast full of cheaters, liars, and manipulators. The show also had most devious scandals come from the original cast such as Scandoval.
Now the resurgence of “Vanderpump Rules” has not left any fans satisfied. Although there was some drama, it seemed like the new cast were an aspiring influence with an occasionally aspiring actor and musicians.
Such as cousins Chris Hahn and Jason Cohen who seem to only be there to build their brand up. As they have been in previous reality tv shows before, showing how they chase any chance they have to get fame to ultimately have a boost in followers.
Although nothing can really compare with the original cast, who were authentic and unfiltered because they didn’t care how the public thought of them. Unlike the new cast who seem a bit conniving but trying to seem put together because the camera is rolling.
Even with the rise of new reality shows being pushed into media such as the “Real Lives of Mormon Wives,” it seems like these shows must reveal something scandalous that only last for a good two to three episodes. Then the show just relies on plot lines that are probably scripted or serious crimes such as Taylor Frankie Paul’s alleged domestic dispute with her husband.
Reality TV will never be the same as it was before, with unfiltered people, crazy drama, and fights that left them bleeding. Now it’s goody-two-shoes who center themselves with the most minimalist drama, while viewers at home are either bored out of their mind watching these shows or letting these shows consume their everyday lives and building up these parasocial relationships that are unhealthy for them in the long run.
