7 THINGS YOU NEVER REALIZE ABOUT REALITY TV
1. YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!
Let's use Keeping up with the Kardashians as an example. By the time the episode airs, the drama has already been featured in tabloid magazines link Us Weekly or In Touch, and you probably already know the outcome of the new episode, right? Right. So then why do you still watch the episode and spend an full hour or more, just to find out, well, nothing? (Commercial bias)
2. WILL THEY MAKE IT OUT ALIVE?
TV shows like Survivor or The Amazing Race are sometimes overlooked as not being in the same category as reality TV because of the adventure factor, as opposed to women gossiping at a cafe. These shows keep viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering if the contestants will survive the challenge and make it out alive...However, a producer of the show says "On-location producers will mention any concerns to the medical staff, and can call for medics if there's a significant problem. Before and after every challenge, contestants visit individually with the show's medics." So, although the show is called Survivor, the cast gets more contact to doctors in 3 days than we do in one year, no need to worry about them anymore, but pain sells! (Bad news bias)
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3. YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT
If you're a reality TV fan, you've probably already figured out the formula, which is the status quo bias. One producers find what works, they stick to it. Yet, when Chris Harrison, the host of The Bachelor franchise announces that the upcoming finale will be the most shocking finale ever, for the 5th season in a row, you continue to be captivated...If you still can't get enough though, check out this ranking of the most shocking bachelor finales.
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4. TWISTING WORDS
All reality shows have segments during which the participants share their feelings towards others, cry, complain and often embarrass themselves or others. These scenes are often spliced and edited in ways that distort what was actually said or in what context, so that the audience doesn't get the full story, otherwise called manipulative editing. The audience feels as though they are privileged to have access to these insights, when really, it is totally distorted, which is access bias. However, some people are against confessionals on reality TV. For more, this article explains how reality shows really are filmed.
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5. THE PREVIEW IS ALWAYS MORE INTENSE THAN THE EPISODE
This is an example of visual bias. You're hooked! There is no way that you will miss the upcoming episode because finally all the drama will unfold! Nope, it's all about manipulative editing again!, as mentioned above. It's all about making it hard for you to not watch, one of the reasons that reality TV is so addictive. However, at the end of the episode, either the drama you were waiting for is in the next episode, or it wasn't in the context you expected, and it turns out to be anticlimactic.
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6. CONTROLING THE NARRATIVE
Narrative bias was a huge part of this season of Bachelor in Paradise, again hosted by Chris Harrison. On one of the first days of filming, a scandal broke out between 2 of the participants, Corrine and DeMario. After the scandal was resolved, Chris Harrison interviewed both parties separately and then together. However, it was evident that his questions were meant to provoke more drama in asking very specific questions and interrupting in order to rephrase, in case the answer was not one that he wanted. Watch Corrine and DeMario's interviews for the full story.
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7. POLITICS AND TELEVISION
This year was one of the (most obvious) times that reality TV and politics seemed linked. When President Trump made comments about illegal immigrants from Mexico, NBC cut all ties and refused to air the show, resulting in Trump buying their share of the organization then selling it 3 days later to WME-IMG. This past season featured fairness bias from the producers as the contestants were asked different questions, but mostly relating to controversial issues in which President Trump is known to oppose, such as man made climate change. Click here for the best answer of the night - directed at Trump!