Pro
By Bella Delisio / Staff Reporter
Reality television is a form of entertainment beloved by many, but the current oversaturation of different shows is exposing its true flaws. Reality TV is extremely exploitative due to the harsh physical and mental treatment of its contestants.
This mistreatment is shown in the reality TV show “Love is Blind,” where participants date each other in pods without seeing the other person until they get engaged. According to the website Vulture, participants were not provided enough food during the weeks filming and instead were encouraged to drink copious amounts of alcohol. Participants were also sleep deprived due to the majority of their day being dedicated to filming.
Physical mistreatment is also seen in the recent reality TV game show, “Beast Games,” created by the famous Youtuber, Mr Beast. This game show includes 1,000 participants competing in different challenges for a $5 million prize. Due to the working conditions, participants have filed a lawsuit against the show. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the contestants suffered through poor working conditions, such as being underfed, and numerous participants suffering injuries because of the unsafe challenges on the show.
Unfortunately, the harsh treatment isn’t only physical. Participants are mentally harmed through producer manipulation. On the show “Love Island,” where participants are sent to a summertime villa to find love, they experience extreme scrutiny from viewers due to archetypes designed by the producers. Edited interviews and scripted scenes paint participants a certain way, and the audience assumes this is their true personality.
The producer’s negative impact on mental health was taken to the extreme in season 3 of “Love Island,” with participant Mike Thalassitis. When he was introduced into the show in the middle of the season, he was seen as a threat to the fan favorite couple at the time, which gave him the nickname “Muggy Mike.” The producers encouraged this through their editing and cutting of scenes and painted Thalassitis as a villain, which led to extreme online hate. According to the website Independent, the hatred from viewers ended up contributing to him committing suicide less than two years after being on the show.
People typically watch reality TV shows for entertainment at the contestants’ expense. Their humiliation is the reason for the success of these shows. The interviews on “Love is Blind” are an example of this, where participants are asked questions surrounding something emotional to them and they are strongly encouraged to keep talking, leading them to have embarrassing, emotional reactions in the show. This can be amplified if they aren’t eating enough food or getting enough sleep.
Some say reality TV contestants know what they’re getting themselves into before agreeing to the show because they sign a contract, yet many contestants don’t understand how extreme the treatment and editing outlined in the contracts will be. This can also be intensified by the public scrutiny of the contestants’ actions and personas on the show through social media posts, which is a negative outcome that cannot be outlined in a contract. Producers need to care more about the mental health of the participants on their show and not just how entertaining they can make it.
Reality TV preys on its contestants to create exploitative and unethical media. This is being exposed more through the constant remarks made on social media about trending reality shows, and it needs to be addressed at the root source by the producers of reality shows.
Con
By Emma Schiff / Staff Reporter
Since the late ‘90s, the reality television industry has seen major success, and the genre has certainly grown since then. The publicity offers ordinary people with platforms to showcase their talents and stories voluntarily. Participants enter with full awareness of the exposure and potential benefits, which can include increased career options.
From simply being in one episode of a show, a gateway to exclusive opportunities opens up to contestants. The diversity of backgrounds that producers choose to promote on their shows proves that there is no inequality involved–every contestant gets a fair shot at each challenge or game involved.
While some may argue producers manipulate narratives, participants still retain their unique stories and often use their platform to promote causes, share their culture and inspire others. That being said, reality TV is an open door to countless privileges. Many participants leverage their exposure to further their careers, from book deals to brand partnerships. It has been a launching pad for many stars, turning brief roles on shows into lifelong opportunities. It’s more than entertainment; it’s a stepping stone for all who participate.
For example, Maria Georgas, a recent participant on the reality show “The Bachelor,” is now getting recognized by popular podcasts such as “Call Her Daddy” with host Alexandra Cooper. Georgas is also using her social media for profitable brand deals, and her bold and genuine personality is admired by millions. Her choice to participate in the show has led her to numerous exclusive opportunities and likely will continue to do so.
The exposure provided is a huge advantage to participants because it supplies an automatic platform for diverse voices and experiences that might otherwise go unheard. Famous reality TV series like “Big Brother” and “Survivor” are well known for selecting contestants from a variety of different ethnicities, personalities, cultures and overall backgrounds.
Additionally, these shows are not exploitative because participants voluntarily agree to the conditions of the show they’re on. All contestants sign contracts and are aware of the rules before participating. Individuals make the decision to take part in the show, understanding the potential consequences, whether it be fame or scrutiny. Official agreements refute any allegations of exploitation because contestants sign off on the terms and conditions.
Audience members typically expect drama, chaos and comical scenes in every type of reality show. The fans are well aware of the produced nature of these shows and understand editing plays a role in creating drama. The genre is still adored for its high value of entertainment, knowing it isn’t meant to be a purely accurate reflection of reality, like other forms of scripted media.
There is no place for exploitation or discrimination on reality TV. The audience sees that through the diverse contestants chosen, and contestants experience the endless benefits first hand.
