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Dr. Danielle Lindemann wrote a book on the sociology of reality TV. She also designed a college course on the sociology of reality TV. So next week I'm sitting down with Dr. Lindemann for a primer on the sociology of reality TV.

"How does The Bachelor shed light on contemporary courtship rituals, and what can Dance Moms teach us about the meaning of childhood? Reality television shows may seem like frivolous fun (and they are!), but they are also illuminating social artifacts that reflect contemporary American tastes, cultural norms, and values."

What sociological questions do you have about reality TV?

A sample slate of final presentations for Dr. Lindemann's Sociology of Reality TV class.

Files

Comments

Emily Staw-fur

At what point does it become an ethical concern that some people on these shows are villainized through editing? Or is that part of the risk of signing up?

Scott Sheldon

Shows of love……like, that can’t be fully legit right?

Kayla Whyte

Was there ever a point where reality shows showed authentic reality without production writing and interference?

RJ Doidge

This is fascinating and I can’t wait to hear. It’s just an interesting cross-section to have a camera pointed at a person or group and see what they think or do. My immediate thought: How much of it is for attention vs how much is actually…reality? Is it different IRL vs on tv, FOR tv?

Mariann

Do you feel that given today climate towards women that we should really be watching stuff like The Bachelor where it's so degrading to women?

Renee Wanger

Why do people sign up/audition to be on them given that there's almost gauranteed humiliation/pain/generally "bad" feelings? Are there any known lasting emotional effects [potitive or negative] for contestants?

mish the fish

what are the ethical implications of making a reality tv show about a teen being charged with a serious crime? (i'm referring to pretty wild) why do i genuinely not enjoy (but don't hate on) reality tv? if i'm not watching it socially i don't really see the point

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

Why is reality tv so addictive even if you don’t want to like it at all? What are the craziest legal cases involving reality tv stars after their show has aired or during? Why do people sign up for reality tv shows, like the Bachelor or Bachelorette, after seeing how people are portrayed on them? What was the first reality tv show? Do reality tv shows follow the same patterns throughout the world or are there obvious differences in reality tv shows from country to country? FYI, I am not a reality tv show watcher, I only watch it if friends are in the same room..

Lily Bee

Is it because they’re British that the contestants on GBBO are so helpful to each other in the challenges ? Or what does that stem from..so many US based reality shows are not like this

Scott Sheldon

What’s the difference in your eyes between “reality tv” and reality “tv”

Leah Dietrich

How much say do the people in the shows have? I’m sure it varies; so what affects how much autonomy the stars have?

Jamie Hanna

How, if at all, does reality TV relate to the panopticon/self surveillance and policing?

Nicole Howley

Oh my goodness! I CANNOT WAIT. Love sociology and reality TV! Questions: - What are the genres of reality tv?/what do people’s favorite reality TV shows tell us about them? - What do we gain from watching/talking about reality TV? - How does reality TV impact the people on it? - I feel more capable of compassion when I watch reality tv because it gives me more insight into other people’s life circumstances. Is that normal?

Jamie Hanna

Can reality TV be a tool of social change?

Lauren Hurlburt

I don't like watching realty shows but when they're one when I turn in the tv I'll be sucked in. Why are they so sticky.

Emily Staw-fur

How often do people actually fall in love on these shows? Are there any statistics on success rates after the show ends?

Greg Walloch

How do you feel reality TV has influenced shifts in cultural attitudes like Project Runway or RuPaul's Drag Race?

Diana Staresinic-Deane

I am old enough to remember how right after 9/11, the show Survivor skyrocketed in popularity as everyone escaped reality to watch reality TV that isn't really reality. Why did so many people take comfort in watching people being thrown off an island?

Emily Staw-fur

I'm not sure what the question is here, but it's interesting that some of the big reality shows have existed long enough that we are getting a second layer of entertainment. Like documentaries about the real reality of what the shows were like. Any thoughts on this?

Scott Sheldon

What’s the line between exposition and exploitation?

Philipp Meder

As an academic myself, I wonder how she manages to be an expert on so many different areas? Usually, one would focus on area, like "Sociology of Competition", but according to the list she must be prepared and informed about so many different areas of sociology. How does she manage that? I imagine she reads a lot!

Annabelle

Roommate asked me to ask: Is reality TV influencing our reality, or is our reality influencing reality tv? Trippy

Christopher Blubaugh

It seems like there might be a kind of addiction to fame for some of the contestants. (As seen in the # of times they go back on shows or maybe jump to other shows.) Is there some type of “super” extrovert classification for a person like this?

Adam Silk

Are reality shows shaping societies understanding of reality (instead of reflecting it)? Has that lead to flanderisation of some social norms?

Emily Staw-fur

How has the role of social media changed reality tv- if at all? Audiences have more of a direct line to the people on their screens than ever before

Rachel Nelson

My sister and I danced at the Dance Moms studio and “auditioned” for the original cast but my mom apparently was not bonkers enough to be cast. Sometimes I’m thankful our life didn’t go down that trajectory but also I wonder if the pros of wealth and fame would have been worth it - hello college loans! I guess what I’m asking is why do people choose to be on reality tv? Is it just the promise of fame? What goes into that decision? So excited to hear this episode!

Scott Sheldon

Rich people reality tv vs the “everyday man” tv. Why are the kardashians so famous yet some kind and compassionate yet smart survivor winners unknowable?

Scott Sheldon

The Traitors?? What is it about villains that intrigues people

Scott Sheldon

On that note, why are both Great British Bake Off and The Villains both major reality shows when the vibes are totally opposite?

Martha Hunter

Why is there such an extensive ecosystem of reality tv analysis and why is so much of it genuinely thoughtful and smart?! It feels like some of the dumbest shows spark deep cultural critique in a way that prestige tv doesn’t.

Annabelle

Are there studies on the psychology of people who decide to be on a reality tv show?? Reality dating shows seem so fake and superficial and, by design, full of drama. What compels a person to put themselves through that for the world to watch and judge?

Scott Sheldon

Do you think a reality show of scientists would help dissolve that distrust of science that arose in the past few years?

Elyce

Is there any study into why people find watching reality tv relaxing? I feel like it’s the only time I can truly switch off even though it’s full of drama.

JENN 'Benthopelagic squirrel' ALVAREZ

I believe reality TV has contributed to the downfall of society. Everything was better before vapid big booty women whined about whatever billionaires whine about. Agree or definitely Agree? Though I do love Drag Race.

Cheryl Buettner

Why is there such a stigma around watching reality television? So many people are incredibly judgmental about those who watch these "trashy" and "brainless" shows. I am a highly educated professional with passionate views about issues such as women's rights. I would be horrified if anyone found out about my "guilty pleasure" shows such as "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team" and "Farmer Takes a Wife". (PLEASE don't tell anyone.)

Sydney Booker

Omg where do we sign up for the class

Annabelle

What is Dr Lindemann’s opinion on the show Jury Duty? Where everyone knew it was a show except one man who thought it was real?

Lizzy Martinez

I personally cannot handle watching reality TV. But I know people that are fans for years of Love is Blind. Why is that? What's appealing to the majority and why is it that?

Emily Krieger

Is Bravo's Real Housewives universe essentially a more femme, moneyed WWE? RH has its own cast of characters, tropes, costumes, fighting, feuds and families, and an MC (Cohen). Both shows have "I know it's not all real but I wanna believe" energy too.

Kevin Tiemeyer

Given that Alie has the connection, I'd be curious to know if Adam Savage has a question for this topic

Jonathan Cummings

In short, everything about reality TV, WTF, why?!

Cooper Michael

How has the world of Reality TV changed post social media? Is there a new motivation to go on these shows with this new realm? What does that level of fame do to the psyche when everyone knows you for being a relative horrible person?

K8 Rouse

How has reality TV shaped how we interact with each other as a culture? How much is scripted and edited to appear more dramatic than it is? What can we trace back to as the first "reality" entertainment, and what counts as reality TV?

Sydney Toups

Do people starring in reality shows (especially over multiple seasons) experience a change in their perception of themselves?

Jennifer Froh

Why do some poeple HATE it and some people LOVE it?

Jonathan Cummings

How much does the social and profession life of those on reality TV get shaped by it? For example, are those on relationship shows tarnished in the eyes of society and any future partner. Are those on social competition shows (e.g., survivor) judged by their behavior in hiring, promotion, management, decisions?

Sydonie S.

Watching reality TV makes me feel so guilty, the production of people's lives to fit what viewers want to see is so upsetting. But why can't I look away?

Jennifer Froh

Could you talk on the morals and ethics involved (i.e. Kid Nation being INSANE, that new mr beast show coming out amongst controversy, shows with REAL injuries or phycological damage) how are ethics handled in a legal sense but also in a moral sense?

Mark J Lerman

How are reality TV dating shows racialized? How does race operate in terms of the presentation. Asked by my daughter Jackie Lerman

Jonathan Cummings

Why can't reality TV shows let reality itself be entertaining? Why do most reality TV shows devolve into social dramas? For example, The Summit didn't really have anything at all to do with climbing that mountain. Why can't I watch a team of people actually have to figure out how to work together to climb a mountain instead of watching a team of people set up an easy (for someone who hikes) hike with unnecessary challenges for a team of people and make them have to do the stupid alliance drama thing.

Meaghan Ratcliffe

can you talk about parasocial relationships in relation to reality tv stars?

Jennifer Froh

How have SOME bachelor (and similar shows) contestants actually stayed together?? One of our family friends is Molly Mesnick (won Jason on the bachelor) and they are still married happily years later so... it cant ALL be fake, right?

Jacob Shepherd

So… the premise seems to be that they’re going through an intense experience, and we know so much of it is scripted or at least guided. Why do we still love it anyway?

Kyla C (KAI-luh, rhymes with Myra or Lyla)

What is your sociological impression of the conditions (the tax on their mental health, the trials of fame, sleep deprivation, etc.) some reality tv stars have made public complaints about? How do reality tv stars fit into labor relations, in your opinion?

Jonathan Cummings

Alone seems like a notable exception to this. Are there broadly successful shows that are more pure documentary? Is there an academic differentiation between documentary and reality tv?

Jonathan Cummings

How much are social norms, society, communities, and governance influenced by the social dramatization that occurs on reality TV? If we got rid of it would politics kind of make sense again?

Sydonie S.

How did The Apprentice shape America's perspective of Trump? Did reality TV, in a way, make him our president?

zackever8

Hi Ali, love you pod dad! I wrote a paper on the role of reality TV on trends of LGBTQ+ acceptance in college. Richard Hatch was the first openly gay contestant from season one of Survivor, which was the first major reality tv franchise of the era. It had a notable correlation with attitudes of LGBTQ+ acceptance in american society. What other associations would you draw between reality tv and American culture? Is it shaping the culture or just reflecting it?

Rineil Mandre

Japan's, "Terrace House" (The Real World) was culturally interesting to my western brain. Even more so when they transitioned to older relationships and simple living format (they don't work, just live together and renovate an old style Japanese home) on, "Love Village".

Miranda Ramirez

Is there a psychological reason why reality TV is some sort of guilty pleasure we all know is generally not good, but we love to watch it anyway?

Ali Lopez

Hi Alie, I'm also Ali and a fan of your pod. Have been listening for years but finally built up the courage to ask a question👉👈 Curious how the presence of the camera in and of itself influences/amplifies /changes how people on reality TV act vs. How they would have handled similar situations while not on display? Something very Jean Rouch - Chronicle of a Summer about Reality TV to me so find calling it "Reality" TV somewhat of a misnomer. Have sociologists or psychosis studied this?

The Other Maya

I'm going to read every. Single. One. Of these questions. Look, I have too many questions to ask any. This could be an entire podcast series, not just an episode. Lemme pop some corn and put on the sweat pants. I'm here from the journey, Dad. Please share this thread with your guest. It's all data, baby!

Brittany Chamberlain

I don't have a question yet, I'm just hoping RuPaul's Drag Race gets covered because I watch it almost everyday Lol.

Ma's Nature Walks

What influence does reality TV have on social media trends, if any? Or do social media trends influence which reality shows get aired and how they're made?

Dylan Manthei

Is it possible to outlaw or restrict the name "reality TV" so it isn't so misleading? Well, maybe I'm going too far...IS IT misleading, and should that be changed? I feel like too many susceptible minds believe they are watching a documentary and these shows are how real life works, and I think that's unhealthy.

Organic Free-Range Lily

1. Sooo, what should one do to star in a reality TV show? Are some of them easier to join than the others? Asking for a friend. (It's me. I'm the friend.) 2. Have there been follow-up studies (or perhaps meta-reality shows) that checked in with reality show participants several years later? I'm curious if there are any large-scale and lasting life changes aftwewards.

The Other Maya

I hate reality tv except for RuPaul's Dragrace. It's the only TV I watch. Almost exclusively. All the non-American seasons, too ( It's a problem, I've had to limit myself to 2 seasons at a time and only one can be non-English language) Also Taskmaster, and all of the New Zealand and Australia seasons. So. Why? I watched the first season of Love is Blind and thought is was an interesting experiment, because zoos literally use the same method to introduce tigers (and other "dangerous" animals) for breeding. Wasn't interested after the 1st season. I cannot get enough Dragrace and Taskmaster. And I really don't even like TV, let alone reality TV.

Julia L

Please discuss the change of reality tv and how it evolved!! Older reality tv feels so different than new tv. What has the introduction of “the influencer” and social media done to reality tv? Is reality tv nowadays all about getting famous??

Karen Larson

Why do I enjoy reality TV so much (especially Survivor, Amazing Race, Love is Blind, and British Baking) and yet feel so guilty about watching it?

Christopher Blubaugh

I didn’t think that extreme, but I see where you’re going with it. 😉

ValBeListening

Has Dr. Danielle Lindemann ever watched Kid Nation? It's described as the worst reality TV show ever made, and it definitely is. But I can't stop thinking of the sociology behind it - class, consumerism, child labor... How does a show like that get made and what does it say about our society?

The Other Maya

I've got a hot take. It's because they think they've cracked the code and are going to be heros for winning the game nobody else can win at. And I'm pretty sure it's very damaging. And I'm also pretty sure that there's a disconnect in watchers because it's on TV, so you think it's safe and planned, but in reality you actually are watching only the good takes of actual human beings with known emotional/psychological difficulties being abused for profit. But that's just a hot take and probably says more about my personal feelings and tastes than anything that's actually happening. In general, reality TV makes me very uncomfortable, and this is why.

Frani

Q1--Many ologists note the major impact of climate change that is caused by humans. Assuming that addressing climate change is a high priority, what reality TV shows best promote interventions, attitudes, policies or behaviors that may impact climate change to slow or stop it?

The Awkward Cactus

I honestly detest all reality TV shows. I’ve always considered them off-putting and think they’re glorifying negative behavior. It seems as though social media has played off of that - where people act a certain way to get followers. People act one way on social media but their actual life is completely different. It certainly isn’t cute. What are the negative consequences of TV shows like this on a society? Why do people blatantly believe these shows to be truth even though the content is ridiculous? What impact is this having on children?

The Other Maya

I love that you asked this and I'm sad this is even a question.

Frani

Q2-Are there any reality TV shows that are more likely to promote wellbeing in young girls and female teens? If no, what are the elements or factors of a reality TV show that might be helpful to promote positive wellbeing in young females? Feel free to add any intersectionality considerations to this answer (culture, ethnicity, ability, LGBTQ, etc.)

Dominique McDermott

What is the science (if any, I assume so) with how we get "used" to reality TV and the often shocking behaviour/events on it? My reaction watching shows like Jersey Shore decades ago vs similar shows now is so different. Also how much is reality TV different or unique to this similar osmosis type thing that happens with all content on the internet (e.g. we just get used to insane content all the time)?

Rebecca Roehm

Am I a snob if I find reality tv awful?

Harper

Has there been any research into the possible mental health effects of reality tv? It seems to me that a lot of reality tv isn't concerned with personal boundaries, and that most of what I've seen has been official or unofficial competition.

Waylo

Are reality tv shows really a reflection of American cultural norms? Then why do I feel like I’m watching a train wreck every time I try to sit thru a show? Oh right, we are a train wreck. Also, I had read that the competitive reality show producers purposely select people with border line personality disorders, which I feel is exploitative. Am I misunderstanding?

James Jakes

I know most reality TV is fake and the producers create conflict, but what about shows like The Great British Bake Off? Do the producers create comradry on the nice shows?

Darren Bush

I'm not sure that's possible, everyone is so kind.

Darren Bush

Nope. You're not a snob if you hate junk food either. But sometimes, I just want a twinkie (a.k.a. The Amazing Race) because twinkies.

Darren Bush

I think there's a scale. I think GBBS is real reality (aside from editing to make it look like most people are working right up to the last second). On the other end of the spectrum is the snogfest that is Bachelor in Paradise. It's disgusting.

Darren Bush

Great question. I think it amplifies performative behavior. They ALWAYS know where the camera is.

The Other Maya

It's totally possible. And I'm looking forward to the answer, because I've seen b-roll that could support legit bonding activities 🤙❤️

Darren Bush

I think reality TV is sanctioned voyeurism. That says something deeply disturbing about our species, but then I worked with primates in grad school and when there's a physical conflict, every monkey watches with interest. Maybe we're wired to be voyeurs. Is that why we slow down at accidents to see what the mess is all about?

Alia Myers

My boyfriend and I started watching Love Island together and immediately started getting in a lot of stupid + heated fights (we almost never argue and are usually very calm and communicative when we do)...... Can watching people on reality TV impact the way you act/react in the real world?

Alia Myers

What do you think is the biggest impact of reality tv on our culture at large?

Alia Myers

What makes someone want to go on reality dating competition shows like too hot to handle and love is blind (other than clout)?

Tilly's mom

How and why did reality TV start?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Is it true that so many networks pump out so many reality tv shows because the production costs are generally lower than other types of programs?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

What reality tv show would Dr Lindemann go on, if forced to choose one? (Further - Alie, which would YOU choose??)

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

What defines a reality tv show from, say, a game show? Or documentary? Speaking of, what genre is Gogglebox? And why do humans like watching other humans watching tv? And does this somehow crossover to the rise of “reaction” videos on YouTube?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Is Dr Lindemann familiar with “The Block” in Australia and, if so, can she PLEASE weigh in on whether or not it needs to just stop already???

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Welcome to the questioning gang! ONE OF US! ONE OF US! That aside - I love reading about the very first season of Big Brother, the whole concept being that the housemates had no idea they were being televised and so it was a more true representation of their actual personalities and behaviours

Jennifer Grogan

To what extent do you think the stereotypical reality TV normalizes drama-seeking, over the top behavior in its viewers, rather than just what they expect to see on TV? Like, is it reasonable to say that someone watching the dramatics on Real Housewives or whatever (sorry, I am definitely not a reality TV viewer myself, and therefore only know them by reputation) then expects more of that behavior from their friends, family, loved ones, etc.?

winn

I’ve noticed that reality TV shows have a really different vibe when there is or is not a cash prize. (like great british bake off vs those crazy stressful food network shows). How do people’s motivations for signing up for a show affect social relationships between participants?

winn

When I watch reality tv i am consistently concerned that contestants are being psychologically manipulated and/or abused by producers. How much does this actually happen? And how does the potentially abusive culture of reality tv shape our perceptions of the world?

Alli B

I have so many questions! Thanks for having this (soci)ologist as a guest. What is the allure for reality contestants/stars when so often the portrayal is negative? How has that changed since the dawn of reality TV (early 2000s?)?

Alli B

What role did The Real World play in the explosion of reality tv shows several years later?

Alli B

Please ask about The Swan and The Biggest Loser. Were they popular because Americans love to critique hypocritically, or do we hate ourselves so much we want to see people suffer to change themselves?

Alli B

This is good.

cuxjmber

I sort of get why we love to watch reality TV, but why WHY do people actually want to be ON reality tv? -- Leah (FTQA)

Alli B

Can you correlate the rise of reality TV with world and political events of the early 2000s (9/11, the Bush administration, the war on terror, war in Afghanistan)? And really, did this start because we cannot face ACTUAL reality?

Matt Thompson

How has shows negatively affected different minority groups like bisexuals with Tila Tequila's dating show and LDS with Secret Lives of Mormon wives?

Lisa Kahn

Why are American reality shows so awful and cruel? Great British Baking Show has proven that watching lovely people be kind and wonderful to each other is popular!

Alli B

Are influencers on social media the natural evolution of reality tv, or do you consider them separate forms of entertainment? I see the biggest difference as self-editing and promotion vs the show editing hours of footage into their storyline.

Alli B

Please explain the Kardashians. Why do I keep watching them?

Alli B

We have seemingly endless webs of (false) connection with social media, smartphones, etc. Do you find reality tv provides another false sense of connection with other people? Does watching reality tv affect a person’s social interactions and personality?

Alli B

How does appearing on reality tv affect a child’s development?

Emily Hurd

When I look at my favorite TV shows lately they’re all reality shows! Why don’t I like things that are scripted anymore? Is human creativity going through too many executives and losing interest? PS survivor rules all and great British baking show is a close second

J Shay

I LOVE some reality shows but can't stand others. Notably, I can't watch any version of the Bachelor or Dance Moms but devour others. I don't understand the appeal of those hyper popular shows that rely on extreme drama and they make me uncomfortable every time I've tried to watch. I feel the more popular shows like Bachelor have a negative connotation unless you're in those communities, as far as devoted viewers. Which finally brings me to the question of why those kinds of shows are so appealing to so many people and not others. I find myself surprised when I find out people I respect are fans of reality TV that I poo-poo, while I'm a fan of other reality shows that I clearly feel are more legit. What draws us to specific shows and influences how we feel about others, and why do I care what anyone else is watching?

Yuri

Why... Just, why???? 😭

Yuri

There was a "reality" TV show about people with chronic illness. The people who went on the show were given ALL SORTS of assurances about how the subject would be handled, especially that the "they are faking it" trope would be avoided, that it was about getting people to understand what they are going through. There were several people on the show that were highly regarded in the disability /chronic illness online community. When the show came out, they were HORRIFIED at how things were twisted and misrepresented, including editing that made it seem like they were saying one thing when the complete sentence was saying the opposite. The people and their families were furious, and boycotted the show. There was a big uproar in the disabled /chronic illness community but it was popular with the larger able bodied population, on a major platform. There is so much to unpack there, but the sensationalizing and comodification of marginalized people in a created false narrative to make a profit, that is also used as justification to continue to oppress and disbelieve us, it's so infuriating!!! I don't even know what my question is at this point...

Riannes.reptiles

Lately I only watch reality tv (mostly cooking shows and survival shows) and I struggle to watch fictional tv now. Is there a reason (perhaps increased social isolation) that is causing people to gravitate towards shows with 'real' people doing 'real' things? (Do I watch reality tv to make up for my lack of social life?)

Sid

In 90 day fiance, many couples have been asked to leave the show due to their escalating abusive behaviors. Who keeps track of this and are the victims ever receiving help through the shows or networks? I feel like it can sometimes get dangerous and I’m always curious what happens after they leave

Sophia A

I love a good reality competition show but I sometimes wonder about consent. People sign contracts agreeing to do whatever challenge is on the show but they don’t *really* know what they’re getting themselves into until they’re in front of a camera crew…

Sophia A

I write this from my couch watching The Traitors

Esther Haydock

How has the genre evolved? It seems there is a trend to more and more drama.

Storm

how much of reality is actually scripted?

Storm

when i ask this i mostly mean shows like house wives

Anna Wolf

In reality TV where contestants live together what is the point of filming them while they sleep? It’s icky and invasive, I want to understand why shows feel the need to add that into the show when it (of course) has absolutely nothing to do with the plot… One that comes to mind is Pressure Cooker which was overall pretty funny reality tv but that gives me the ick. (first time question asker Anna (like fauna) Wolf

Hailee Kirby

What is the effect of weightloss reality TV like the biggest loser? I watched shows like these growing up with my mom and I feel that they made me look at myself differently. They made losing weight look like something I needed to do and they made it look so easy compared to when I tried to do it.

Ruby Gordon

Why do we enjoy seeing people struggle or in pain?

Ruby Gordon

Why do many men seem to like it less than many women? Why do we get so roped in even if we don't want to watch it?!

Kait

Would love to hear Alie and the ologist discuss surveillance capitalism!

Deviancy

How much of the drama/craziness of reality tv is just sleep deprivation? It seems like it would be hard to sleep with this kind of surveillance

Kait

Reality TV stresses me out (why?!) but I am fascinated by the personalities that do and don’t make the cut. Hearing about casting would be interesting!

Staci Pinkowitz

Can we talk about reality TV’s connection to industry labor strikes?

Kait

We neeeeeed to knoooow 👀

Kayaker Sue

How real is it really? I haven’t watched much but when I do the conflicts and emotions feel staged to me. Are people playing to the camera? Are they being coached?

Staci Pinkowitz

Alsooo when I was in elementary school my family was on a pretty low budget reality show on some obscure tv network that seemed to be throwing spaghetti during the mid 2000s strikes as a way to make some money. I remember having dinner with my family in front of the camera and the crew would stop us and tell my brother to repeat himself but to have me respond in a different way for the scene. The storyline used real people but was really staged. I prefer reality shows that lean in to the campiness and the make believe for entertainment (like drag reality shows, so good!) rather than pretending to be honest.

Kait

Ooooh this would be cool to consider! If it’s done on camera, it may normalize climate action in little ways on shows so many people watch for a positive influence! (As long as it’s done by a “sympathetic character” and not someone who is villainized in the show’s narrative.) But then again, I feel like shows where you put people in controlled spaces for a designated time are basically experiments waiting to happen. So even if it’s behind the scenes, it could be useful to just have house rules like composting and maybe have them do a survey at the end? Ethics feels so messy with reality tv but maybe there’s potential for something like this?

Kait

Omg yes

Andy Pepper

Oof. Has reality TV storytelling contributed to how polarized we are now in our society?

Kait

Is there something that happens in our brains as audience members that allows for suspension of disbelief? To clarify: This may just be a venn diagram I have to draw for funsies, but I’m thinking of traditional theater vs reality tv. In the theater, the most dramatic things (murder etc) can happen offstage and our minds fill in the gaps and it’s still intense. But in reality TV, we’re shown all these mundane details AND ALSO the big drama. And we know there are producers. It’s like the opposite of theater but also its own version of suspension of disbelief. Is this a thing?

Jess C

As a viewer of reality tv since its inception, it feels like it's got a lot less mean over time. Does that reflect a true shift in values? Is that measurable in any way? It used to feel like people were on there to be mocked and derided. Not sure if you can get a useful question from my question salad but it's something I've thought about for years

Olivier Calas

Isn’t Reality TV nothing but an encouragement to voyeurism?

Ted Vician

Do we include educational/instructional shows (e.g., cooking shows like *America’s Test Kitchen*) as “reality TV”? Those seem to be distinct genres.

GhoulNextDoor

How does growing up with that amount of fame and documentation impact children involved with reality tv? And for that matter growing up in this time of family vlogs and social media where the daily life of children is so heavily publicized?

Liv

why is reality tv typically seen as a feminine activity? ik this isn’t always the case and a lot of masculine people enjoy it but a lot of what i’ve experienced is an aversion to these shows from the male presenting people around me

Liv

what does it mean that i love reality competitions but hate most other reality shows (ex: dislike housewives of (enter major city))

Leo Chiang

is there a certain personality type that tends to end up on reality television?

Anjali Himali

Do you see a change in attitudes or awareness of stereotypes in newer reality tv shows, or have reality tv shows always been the same, i.e. pushing traditional values and uping drama and for camera?

Reese Perini

What reality dating show has the highest rate of successful marriages? Are people really falling in love on shows like the bachelor/bachelorette? Or is it just infatuation based on lack of options and beautiful scenery?

Jamie Hanna

Reality TV shows often make me think of the Stanford Prison Experiment which is really interesting because so many of these questions are about ethics. Does a person’s behavioral changes while in an extreme situation designed to bring out their worst actually represent who they are fundamentally? If not, what does their behavior actually represent?

Jamie Hanna

Along the lines of my previous questions. Could you discuss coercion and cash prizes? I’m thinking of something like Alone which has a $500,000 cash prize. How does that massive prize influence how contestants behave and what audiences think of the show? Does seeing someone’s desperation appeal to us because we’d feel that same desperation if $500,000 was on the line?

Jamie Hanna

Okay one last question. As a fellow sociologist (I study climate change emotions), I’m wondering what, if any, academic challenges you face in studying reality TV? I’m specifically thinking about positivism and the denigration of social sciences as less important and non-objective which I’m assuming is amplified when studying something that has been devalued and seen as “frivolous”. Do you face judginess from other scientists, the public, and/or your students? How do you handle it if you do?

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

I know it’s a fictional reality TV show, but what do you think would be the main sociological discussion point of The Hunger Games?

Emily Desormeaux

FTQA I never thought my first listener question would be about reality TV but here it goes: why does watching shows like LIB give the same energy as a medieval, public execution? Is it pushing the same entertainment button for us? Every time I get together with friends to watch it feels like we’re gathering in the town square (and we like it???)

Smiley Kylie (she/her)

Is it bad I can’t stand to watch reality TV shows? 😂 they’re too cringy! 😬 can’t wait for this episode to drop 🥰

Brittney Corrigan

The only reality TV shows I enjoy are the ones in which the contestants bond with each other, support each other, and are sad when each contestant leaves (like The Great British Baking Show, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance) or the ones in which there is no interaction between contestants at all (like Alone). What draws audiences to these "friendlier" reality shows vs. the ones in which contestants are mean and cutthroat, and is one type more popular than the other?

Hannah Maree

Quick question: Why was Bridalplasty the best reality TV show ever made & why was there only one season?

K9 Conservationists

Is there any research on how the producers and editors influence the storyline/reality? I was on a show (Called to the Wild) years ago and it was really eye-opening to see how much influence the producers had on the storyline by how they phrased questions during the "talking head" interviews, then edited those back to appear as if the statements made in response to very particular questions were statements made in a vacuum. I hope that makes sense!

Andrea Devlin

Why has reality TV become so popular? It allows people to judge complete strangers and it must be emotionally exhausting for the people who are being filmed. Reality TV just feels toxic.

Cat Baklarz

My coworkers say "talk about love Island!" ¯⁠\⁠(⁠◉⁠‿⁠◉⁠)⁠/⁠¯

The Other Maya

Ok. So. Social Capital: can there be a psuedo Social Capital with reality TV the way there is psuedosocial everything in social media? I know really smart and kind people who love watching "reality" because it gives them "something to talk about with other people." That's the starting point of the question but the broader since of the question is "is reality tv analogous to junk food in that it tricks your biology into thinking something social has happened for you that objectively hasn't." In the way that junk food tricks you into wanting more because it has the rarer molecules that signal a highly nutritious nom-nom but infact is a nothing burger. And, is this disrupting our absorption of actual good social interaction and robbing us of the ability to build Social Capital?

rowantree

I am so curious about the psychological impacts on contestants/participants. Is there research showing how interpersonal behaviors change during and after being on a reality show?

Felipe Jimenez

Why are so obsessed with other peoples drama? I feel like producers know this and that’s why they always cast participants who are conflictive and will for sure start a fight

Theladyisageek

Rather than these shows reflecting the reality of courtship, how much do they shift expectations to something unrealistic? Reality TV seems to romance what p0rn is to sex.

Matthew Walcher

Why is it so much easier for me to binge-watch reality TV versus a traditional TV show? It always takes me a while (months or years) to finish a season of a traditional tv series, but I get more excited about watching my favourite reality tv shows so I ended up watching a season much faster.

Matthew Walcher

I've noticed a difference between the new people being cast on my favourite reality shows versus the people that were cast decades ago before social media was so prominent. The shows were wilder and cast members seemed to be more authentic, but recently it feels like cast members only want to get on the show to increase their fame and follower count and they're less authentic because it seems like they're afraid to make mistakes. After all, they want to please the fans and avoid the wrath of social media. With the rise of "influencers" and social media-driven celebrities, what do you think the future of reality TV might look like?

Matthew Walcher

As one of the first reality TV shows, The Real World is often credited with shaping the genre as we know it today. In your view, how did The Real World influence the way reality TV portrays social issues, identity, and interpersonal relationships?

Matthew Walcher

In your research on reality TV, do you distinguish between different formats (e.g., competition shows, docuseries, makeover shows, etc.) in terms of how they construct and represent social realities? How do these various formats reflect or influence societal norms, values, and identities, and do you see any significant differences in the social dynamics or cultural messages conveyed by these different genres?

Deborah Gray

What reality tv shows do you watch, Alie?

Sam Danielle

How strongly does a shows portrayal of a person affect their character development and/or sense of self after the show airs? (For example: if someone who previously considered themselves a caring person is portrayed as a villain on Survivor, do they start to believe they are less kind than they thought?)

Miranda Rose

It seems like reality shows are kind of an outlet to gossip about/say judgmental things about people without the consequences you'd face if you said those things about someone you know in real life. What impact does that have on viewers? Do televised sports count as reality TV? (thinking about off-court drama an WWE interpersonal rivalries that fans get invested in)

Olga Kolesnikova

I do love reality TV but one thing I find icky about it is the trauma mining, I feel like participants are often pressured into revealing things about themselves that they may not be ready to share especially with the entire world. Has this come up much in your research?

Rob H.

How do reality TV producers learn to be so manipulative? Is there a crash course? A mentor program?

Chuck Meriam

What current and potential cultural impacts do reality shows have, both positive and negative? How ill cultural impact loop back around to then influence reality TV?

Scientifically Lily

Has reality TV become less real ? What aspects are overemphasized? What interesting aspects do we not see ? It feels like they now show,exaggerate , & sometimes even add fake content to capitalize on what makes the most profit.

Earl of Greymalkin

1) What is the history of reality TV as a format? What was the direct pre-cursor and who invented the genre? Was there ever a radio equivalent? 2) How do participants navigate legal aspects of being represented on 'real' TV and what rights do they have or waive upon participating? How are they usually compensated and is this enough for the invasion of privacy? Can they sue for defamation or whatnot if represented poorly? 3) How much do people regret participating? Does the selection process do a good job of finding people who won't regret it? 4) What makes 'good' or 'bad' reality TV as an art form, versus as something that makes money? 5) What impact has reality TV had on the export of American culture around the world? 6) How much does reality TV require conflict to be successful? Are there any shows that don't center conflict and/or competition? 7) What patterns are there in what type of shows are popular over time? Is this a reflection of fads and technical innovation or cultural anxieties? 8) Who is making reality TV and deciding what gets produced (and how this influences pop culture)? Is there a viable indie-type platform inventing new reality TV experiments?

Timmy H.

Okay but let’s talk about the Drag Race Boom and how it completely changed the game for the rest of the world????

Erin

My question is related: Are there certain sub-genres of reality tv that appeal more to men than women? If so, what is the difference in public perception/framing of the sub-genres?

Lee Wang

Do you have any thoughts on how competitive elimination shows (e.g. Survivor, GBBO, or RPDR) mobilize fandoms to become toxic and start hating certain contestants because they threaten the positions of our faves? And while I'm talking about Survivor, I remember when Brandon Hantz had an on-camera mental breakdown, and Jeff Probst said tried to clear the show of culpability by saying that Brandon passed psych evaluations, but I always thought that those tests probably have a lot of producer intervention that allowed someone with enough emotional red flags to, on the surface, pass those tests?

Lee Wang

I remember when I first started watching shows like Survivor or Amazing Race and imagine myself on the show and in the challenges -- never mind how a disproportionate number of contestants were struggling actors and models around LA. But the conceit was that anyone could be on the show. Nowadays though, I feel like the recent trend has been towards specialization and skill and expertise (GBBO, RPDR). Is this just confirmation bias based on the shows I'm currently watching?

Stephen Moxley

Have you looked at the complex web of religion, including shame and guilt, and extreme wealth in The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City?? Not only are there criminals (looking at you, Jen Shah, and Mary’s questionable occupation as a cult church leader) but there’s also the shadow of the Mormon church and how wealth plays into it all! Such a fascinating show and I wonder if there’s been any papers or studies done on it.

Danira Garcia Gutierrez

Legacy reality tv shows that were dying out (the bachelor, dancing with the stars, etc) are returning to popular culture. What explains this shift in recent years?

Lynn

Do reality TV shows that portray toxic behavior influence people who watch them to behave in similar ways?

winn

yes please talk about kid nation!!!!!!

Timmy H.

Are there actually unscripted reality shows?

Lena Gwen

My eyes nearly fell out of my head. The Sociology of Lesbian Relationships?? I want to know EVERYTHING

Jojo Emerson

Survivor is one of the most interesting sociological experiments of the modern era. Given the show’s longevity, how has the unique fanaticism of the fan base mixed with the social gameplay required to win played a role in how reality tv is viewed through a sociological lens?

Kim G

FTQA! Can we talk about the phrase "I didn't come here to make friends"? So many shows have someone saying this to explain away all kinds of bad behavior, but I can't imagine someone saying this out loud in real life. (Also, if I was on a reality show, I would totally want to make friends with everyone!)

Brenna Hull

How does editing and cutting play a role in the sociology of reality tv? We all know that love is blind and other shows mercilessly recut scenes to fit their narrative (hence the gold cups). But how do people agree to relinquish the reigns on their own stories in favor of fame or (less likely) love?

Brenna Hull

Why do we care so much about these people? Do they represent the idealized versions of ourselves? Or do they represent the absolute worst of society and a depth we would never sink to?

Mouse Paxton

Do you have ethical concerns about reality TV? Ie. should we stop making reality TV shows about kids, families, etc? Would something like Dropout's version of reality tv become more mainstream? Their versions of Survivor, The Bachelor, etc are always way funnier and more wholesome. What is the weirdest reality show you've come across? Were there any predecessors to reality TV in times before the advent of television? Do any reality shows freak you out or make you uncomfortable? My mom used to watch Wife Swap and Til Debt Do Us Part when I was a kid and both those shows used to freak me out. I still owe my major anxiety around debt to the latter show.

it’s just sarah

Why has being on reality tv gone from trashy to basically celebrity status? (ex: love island uk early seasons vs later ones)

Anna Wolf

Also wondering how the conditions of filming affect how the characters are portrayed, because after all even on reality TV (almost more so even) people are playing characters. The conditions around sleep, food, breaks, being able to talk to friends and family outside the show, are definitely big influences in how you present and react. Also how rarely mental health is talked about in reality TV. I think fictional shows cover the menty health better. Overall just wondering about more of actor strain, I read an interview on Masterchef once and they were talking about how the whole filming situation was Not Good.

Roger Gans

I'm wondering if there's anything interesting about the demographics of the audiences of reality TV shows. Are they just people who like to watch trainwrecks? Older? Younger? Female? Male? Political? Socioeconomic? Conspiracy-theory inclined?

Tim McCollow

How much (like % wise) are reality tv shows scripted? Are the plots and character arcs of a show like Survivor all pre-determined?

Sarah Piette

What do you think about the lasting mental health impacts of the “villain edit” on competition shows like Survivor, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, etc. and the subsequent public freak outs that those villains often have?

Gaby B.

Why do some people LOVE reality TV and others HATE it? Anecdotally, my mom and I are both super brainy types and typically despise media that is particularly banal or "low-hanging fruit." But my mom loves reality TV (she says she likes the psychology of it, even though it's all scripted), and I can't stand it (specifically *because* it's scripted and purposefully deceptive. To me, it's all basically the same as pro wrestling). What is it about this content that draws us in even when we know it's 99% fake? I do have to admit to enjoying Impractical Jokers on occasion. I just like anything where people are laughing uncontrollably because it makes ME feel happy vicariously.

Jeanette-o-saur

Is reality tv predatory? How often are we wreaking havoc with people's health for our entertainment? (Specifically thinking of shows like the biggest loser and big brother). Are there any protections in place for contestants/ participants?

Olivia jm

How often do the producers manufacture misunderstandings or arguments in reality tv? In other words, are there times when the producers lie to the actors to illicit a reaction towards another actor?

Brittany Chamberlain

Do online streamers have an overlap with the niche that reality tv occupies? Online streamers portray themselves in semiscripted environments and usually talk directly to their viewers, or chat. Some of streamers are even described as having "content brain," meaning they're only making decisions knowing it will bring in viewership. It would be really interesting to see research that online streamers have on people, especially as younger viewers gravitate towards them.

Jessica Cohn

Is reality TV predatory? Is it unethical to watch it? Also super curious to hear the ologist's perspective on the recent news about the National Labor Relations Board classifying reality TV contestants as 'employees.' What are the implications?

Josh Waldman

We often hear participants in reality shows referred to as “characters” or “cast members”. To what extent are us as viewers conceptualizing the people who go on reality shows as real people in real situations vs as characters in a tv show?

Josh Waldman

Also, the NLRB just ruled that Love Island contestants are employees. How will this effect reality shows and Love Island in particular, from the perspective of producers, participants and viewers?

Princess Pukeachu

Contestants on shows like Big Brother, Survivor and The Traitors have talked about the difficulty with trust and relationships they have after the show. Is the after effects they are experiencing similar to what a victim of psychological abuse/gaslighting might experience after leaving an abusive relationship? Do these shows do anything to help?

Princess Pukeachu

Can reality tv shows help us predict the future? (No, seriously! For example, does an increase in popularity of shows about rich people indicate an economic recession?)

Princess Pukeachu

Can I blame Mark Burnett for the current state of America

Angellica Stanley

I’d personally am not a fan of reality tv, but many of my friends are so I brought this topic up and asked them! Here are 2 of their questions: 1) Who in their right mind would actually want to be a reality tv star?! 2) What is wrong with the moms who brought their kids to Abby Lee Miller? (I have no idea what this means, please don’t @ me lol)

Darlene Skapura

I love ologies but may not listen to this episode because i don’t watch reality tv shows. I don’t think are a healthy and are so fake. Better things to do with my time and life. Why are so many people drawn to these things and how can we make it stop?

Alli B

These are good questions for this episode.

Umair Khakoo (OO-mayor kha-KOO)

I was recently on a reality TV show (it aired December 6th coincidentally) and I was wondering whether it is true that when they cast people for those shows, they already have a list of characters they want to cast and then go and find those people IRL. Like that's why someone might be edited to be the villain when they are not in reality.

Erin

Is reality TV actually reality or do people act differently when a camera is in their face? I.E. performance behavior?

Between Dumplings

Having been in a group discussion where one of the guests was actually working on an early "reality" show, I think it must've been Bachelor, I was told they absolutely are not reality. Scripting is loose, editing heavy. Booze flowy. And racism in Reality TV is real: see e.g. Code Switch "Race, Romance, and Reality TV" and many others.

balancing basil

What effect do you think the working conditions on set have on the final product? Do you think recent movements to create a union for reality TV actors in the US have potential? I've heard about Love Island UK implementing more comprehensive care for folks before/during/after filming in recent seasons, and my friends find the show to be much more enjoyable to watch than others.

Keerat Singh

Does dr.lindeman think reality tv is changing society?

Lindsey Wallace

are there historic examples of reality entertainment or is it really a very new form of entertainment?

also_ally

What is the future of reality tv? Will people eventually becoming bored of shows like the Bachelor or will there always be popularity around it?

Dani Kirby

Why am I convinced that I can read everyone’s intentions very clearly on reality tv? Is it that production is really good or am I actually seeing people for who they are? I always wonder what parts are created story arc by production and what is more authentic.

jodie ohm zutt

Candid camera That really did happen WTF

Jessica R

I believe these are the students' final presentation topics.

Trevor Beck

I’ve worked in the audio dept for a number of these shows, Survivor, Big Brother etc etc. It seems to me a key part of creating the social environment to get people to behave how they do is by removing the usual ‘distractions’ from them. Limiting other social interactions, controlling external influences and contact. Creating a bubble around them so their world becomes narrow? Love to know if the Dr would agree or have insight on that idea?

Cassy Plicka

Oh I am looking forward to this one!

SickMu

As someone who feels the same way about reality television but it seems like everyone around me is obsessed with them, my closest friends & family included, I agree with Julian - these are great questions for the episode and I am interested to hear what the Dr has to say about reality tv and it’s effects on society. As all us oligites know - Ologies can make the most mundane & debased topics interesting & informative. I don’t think it will change my mind on reality tv, but it very well may be interesting!

SickMu

Oh, this is so interesting…

Robinne van der Linde

I cannot wait for this episode! I am constantly flummoxed over the appeal of reality TV and would love to understand why people enjoy it so much. I personally find it so uncomfortable and stressful to watch. What does it say about me that I find it so intolerable?

GirlieHippie

This will be interesting! Realty tv and the era of influencers perplexes me, both I truly don’t understand… the addiction people have to watching both. Like why??

Mini Minnie

Yes, it’s called gossip

Mini Minnie

People don’t want to watch “reality,” they want to watch a train wreck. If reality shows were actually real they would be boring. A reality show about my household might have a small spurt of viewership because of all of my animals, but then people would fall asleep.

Mini Minnie

Same with the great pottery throwdown! Lovely people!

redtoque

omgggg i am so excited for this one!! I watch reality tv from a bunch of different countries, not just american tv - i.e. chinese, korean, japanese (ok mostly from other asian countries). BUT!!! i'm SO curious about what formats or ways reality tv in other countries tell us about their cultures and how they've influenced each other