Why We Love Watching Train Wreck Reality TV Shows So Much

By this point, everyone knows reality shows (“Love Is Blind”) are fake as hell (“House Hunters.”) Yet for some reason, we can’t stop watching them (“The Kardashians”). Why? 

Reality dating shows, competition series and talent shows feel like glimpses into people’s everyday lives. These unscripted TV shows run the gamut from absurd to appalling, offensive to extreme. It seems like no idea is off the table – but that doesn’t mean everything is a hit.

It could have something to do with the train wreck theory (“90 Day Fiance”) – like when something is terrible but it’s hard to look away (“Jersey Shore”). Or, maybe it’s because reality shows that play up human flaws (“My Strange Addiction”) make the rest of us feel somewhat normal.

Some experts believe modern reality TV began with the reboot of the “Candid Camera” series in 1984. The premise was simple; people were secretly filmed in order to catch their reactions to weird situations. Eventually, that format led to the birth of the unscripted shows that really started the movement, including “The Real World (1992), “Survivor, (2000), “Big Brother (2000), and “American Idol” (2002). 

Two years ago, The Washington Post did a deep dive that focused on reality dating shows specifically. “The Bachelor” is one of the most popular in this genre, though it’s far from the only option for viewers seeking a guilty pleasure. 

The article also pointed to “Who Wants To Marry a Multimillionaire?” from 2000, which combined two of people’s favorite things: love and money. Producer Mike Darnell came up with the concept while attending a wedding and thinking about how to harness the same success as ABC’s “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”

“I kept thinking: Why is this show working? Because winning money is a huge American dream,” Darnell said during an interview for the book “Desperate Networks.”

“And I’m sitting here watching another huge American dream, which is getting married. What’s bigger than that? Getting married to a wealthy man.”

Darnell’s concept, surprisingly, isn’t the most outlandish. Fox’s “Playing It Straight” pushed boundaries in 2004 by casting five straight men and nine gay men pretending to be straight to compete for a woman’s affection. In the end, if the woman chose a straight man to date, the man and woman would each receive $500,000. If she accidentally chose a gay man, he would win $1 million and she would get nothing. 

The concept somehow got a greenlight. Per the Post, it was a huge success in the U.K. but an epic failure in the United States where it was  canceled after three episodes. “It felt darker than we had imagined,” series producer Adam Wood told the publication. “I don’t think we had thought that far ahead.”

When it comes to why we love these shows, it all comes down to the human tendency toward curiosity – whether for observation, comparison, connection, or scrutiny. It’s fascinating to see what other people are like, especially when their behavior is so different from our own.

“Reality television provides an easy, and legal, way to peer into the lives of others,” attorney, author, and media commentator Dr. Wendy Patrick told Distractify. “Over the last few decades, reality TV has become a staple of modern entertainment in households around the world.”

“In a way, you can feel like you are benefiting from their life experiences without having to endure negative aspects of [them],” she continued. “This might be particularly appealing to people who are naturally more risk-averse or less extroverted.”

A lot of it comes down to the desire for a mindless way to unwind after a long day of work. Reality shows with their manufactured, over-the-top drama provide entertainment but don’t require concentration. This, combined with a craving for entertainment that spurs and satisfies curiosity creates a recipe for success. 

That success is why, even though they’re universally mocked, reality shows are still an incredibly popular genre of entertainment. 

Some people compare reality competition shows to sports. They point out the tribalism associated with both categories, with viewers selecting favorite contestants just like they select favorite teams. Fans connect on social media or friends get together and host watch parties, in the same way sports fans have Super Bowl parties. There is camaraderie and friendly competition among these groups. 

Also, enjoying this type of entertainment takes little effort. Media psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman said, “We live vicariously through the experiences of the reality TV stars, from the safety of our own homes. We don’t actually have to risk our heart or our reputation when we vicariously live through the experiences of the reality show participants.”

In other words, few people will participate in “The Amazing Race,” but it sure is fun to watch (and judge) the people who do.

From a production standpoint, many reality shows are cheaper to make than scripted shows. They require little more than a camera crew and some willing participants. Since they’re so popular, they rake in revenue.

Reality shows are still reviled in 2022 but they’ve evolved from what they used to be. Former hits like “Toddlers & Tiaras,” (2009) which glorified beauty pageants for young girls, are no longer produced. It’s hard to imagine a show like “Are You Hot?” (2003) getting made today. The short-lived series had low ratings thanks to the premise, which showcased contestants being rated on a scale of 1-10 based on nothing but their physical attractiveness. The most gorgeous of the attractive bunch got crowned the winner.

Psychologist Dr. Jana Scrivani put it well while speaking about the reality show phenomenon with Scoop Whoop. 

“Reality television in particular gives us a false sense that we really know the people we see on the screen. This sense of having a personal relationship is amplified with the ‘reality’ label, even though we are aware that it’s greatly exaggerated,” she said.

“Close ties between family and friends are at all-time lows. Over time, we come to see the folks portrayed on the screen as friends. We identify with their struggles and triumphs. It’s much less time consuming to take in a half an hour television show than to connect with a friend.”

It’s a sobering assessment, but also a true one. It’s less emotionally and mentally taxing to keep up with the Kardashians than it is to maintain meaningful friendships with peers.

Or maybe, we just love them because they’re entertaining.

Amanda Harding is an entertainment writer for The Daily Wire. She has years of industry experience and a keen eye for what’s trending in the world of entertainment. She previously wrote for Showbiz Cheat Sheet.

The opinions expressed in this piece are the author’s own and not necessarily those of The Daily Wire.