How Real is Reality TV?

Reality TV isn’t going anywhere. It is entertaining, cheap, dramatic, and the format makes it easy to connect with the viewers. But how real is reality TV? Let’s go behind the scenes and explore the Bachelor Franchise, KUWTK, Say Yes to the Dress, and other fan favourites.

Most viewers know these shows are scripted. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be reality TV, it would be complete chaos. However, some shows are more real than others. The competitive reality shows are often more about the producers than the judges. However, American Idol is a great example that sometimes you just need to be seen. Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert, Katharine McPhee used reality TV to become global superstars. Despite never becoming the American Idol.

Big Brother, Survival, Bachelor are different competitive reality shows. These shows want more drama, they want the conflict, they might send you home for being too normal. If you want to be on some show, you need to show your flaws. Strange, but true.

Despite that the format promises real life, the producers and writers will choose a villain, a cry-baby, a smarty-pants,… You get a new persona, so it’s a great way to start practising for that Hollywood stardom.

The shows with celebrities won’t use their real homes, fights are made up and no, they do not look like that when they wake up. Real Housewives, KUWTK, Vanderpump Rules, these shows are about self-promotion and making more money with other ventures.

Anything you say can be used against you. It’s a game of manipulation and reality TV is as real as any other non-fictional show. You have writers, producers, makeup people, stylists, venues,… The only difference is that requires little to no acting skills and you can be anything but boring. Even House Hunters is made up, but it doesn’t make it any less entertaining. The reality TV world is a world of numbers, spending less while earning more. It really is like copying the runway look from Paris by using H&M, Forever 21 and Zara. Still, it is fun, so which ones do you love the most? Please don’t say Toddlers and Tiaras, that’s just creepy!