By: Charlotte Muller'28
Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter and ABC
Love Island, The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, and Love is Blind. Pretty much everyone has seen these shows on Netflix, scrolled through discussions of them on social media, or heard their friends describe the drama unfolding in each episode. But what makes the lives of these people worth experiencing on our screens? Why do these shows so easily command our time and attention?
We can use Love Island as an example. I really enjoy Love Island and have spent many hours watching episodes with my friends. Love Island, in short, follows a cast of singles looking to find love. They meet each other and pair into couples, which are always subject to change, and “bombshells” are introduced to test the strength of the relationships forming on the island. The final favorite couple, as voted on by the public, wins money at the end of the show.
Simply speaking about the plot like this, it sounds odd. Why would you choose to go on a show where you and your partner were constantly being tested and scrutinized? Each contestant will have a different reason—they’re in it for the money, genuinely believe they’ll find the love of their life, or are bored. Regardless of each contestant's reasons, we viewers are often more than happy to tag along for the ride…but why?
I don’t even KNOW these people! My brain nags each time I press play on the next Love Island episode. Why on earth do I care about their choices and inner dialogue and what they’re going to eat for breakfast? I hit play anyway, and this rather worthwhile question is drowned out by the sounds of the announcer and cast interviews. However, this is an interesting thing to explore. I don’t know these people: I will never meet them or knock on their doors asking for an autograph and a Love Island story. When I finish a season, I simply move on from it, thinking less about the show and more about the paper I have due in a couple of days. If these individuals aren’t relevant to my life, why have I devoted hours to watching them on TV? Let’s explore a few answers to this question:
They provide an escape from our own realities and into an actual other (if sensationalized and definitely staged) reality. The term “reality TV” reminds us that these shows involve real people with actual experiences. Though we may love our own realities, immersing ourselves in the highs and lows of someone else’s is often incredibly interesting.
There are sides to be taken. Going back again to Love Island, there’s always a cast member (or multiple) that many people prefer over others. If one member of a couple mistreats their partner, heated debates among friends and online can ensue, making the show much more engaging. Many people are inclined to take sides, and reality TV provides low-stakes, low-involvement situations for anyone to back their preferred side in an argument.
We can relate to the people on-screen. Part of what makes a great character in a movie or television show is when the audience can empathize with and truly understand the characters. With reality TV, there’s no character to create because we are all humans and thus all share similarities. One viewer might recognize their passion for art in a reality TV contestant and feel connected to them. Another viewer might find their love for the outdoors reflected in the activities a different contestant likes to do and feel a sense of gratification. These similarities make us feel like we could be friends with the cast members, understand them and their decisions within the context of the show, and, therefore, become more engaged. We may also recognize parts of ourselves in the contestants that we dislike and thus use those reasons to argue against a contestant or find fault with them throughout the show. People look for commonalities, and there’s no easier place to find them than with other people.
I like to think some people out there, like me, find these reasons for watching reality TV applicable to them. Others may not understand how one could become invested in the lives of a bunch of people who’ve taken time off work to go be on television—which is a totally fair opinion. Whether you’ll go watch an episode of reality TV tonight or would prefer to binge something completely different, I hope you find the show you’re looking for.
*Note: The article was republished due to site maintenance. The original publication date is October 4th, 2024.
Comments