Why Am I Drawn to Drama-Filled Reality Television?

By Alyssa Clark

Art By Lauren Mellett

I have been watching reality television since I was a kid. It has been a staple on my family’s living room TV, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. My mom and I would always watch a variety of shows together like Big Brother or The Voice. As I got older, I started enjoying even more reality shows which led me to where I am now. 

On September 6, 2024, I was sitting in my dorm room ready for another show that would allow me to escape my own reality—The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives came out that day and took over the media immediately. Watching this show, I started to wonder why so many people choose to sit and watch other people’s lives, including their best and worst moments. For me, I am not connected to the Mormon Church and was intrigued by the drama revolving around this group of moms. For others, it may just be the latest The Real Housewives show. I also believe people enjoy watching drama unfold that they are disconnected from; it creates anticipation without any consequences for the audience. 

Speaking from experience, drama between friends can take an emotional and physical toll on a person. It isn’t fun; it’s draining. On the other hand, some people might feel bored when not engaging in conflict. Reality shows allow these individuals to see these experiences without feeling the effects. Shows that involve romantic and platonic relationships could also point towards this. It can bring the audience to feel the highs and lows that the individuals within the show are feeling. 

A widely known example of reality TV showcasing romantic and platonic relationships is the most recent season of Love Island USA. While the focus of this show is finding matches, close-knit friendships are also created as a result. Three contestants call themselves PPG (Leah, Serena, and JaNa), and this is how the audience comes to know them. They often are still together, posting on social media while hanging out. Not only does drama between friends bring engagement, but so does the connection between individuals. People often not only long to witness drama, but true friendships. Even for me, I remember more of the platonic relationships that are created from this show since it resonated with me above all else.

With drama in mind, I need to mention The Real Housewives franchise. It started with The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006, and has led to newer branches like The Real Housewives of Dubai in 2022. There is an extensive list of cities that are featured in this set of shows and it has been dominant in many people’s lives. They want to see drama unfold between the women, especially when it comes to the reunion. Notably, the Season 4 reunion of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is where secrets are revealed revolving around an Instagram page that was dedicated to exposing one of the cast members, Jen Shah. This is just one of the many reveals that come from these shows. Many people, including my mom, tuned in for this reunion for everything to be revealed. People are drawn in by these “scandals” and the dramatic fashion of it being exposed contributes to the increasing audience. 

The rise of reality television can depict drama between coworkers in shows like Below Deck and Vanderpump Rules. The audience sees tensions rise in a workplace environment, then watches romantic relationships form, which further stirs drama. The plurality of shows and relationships keeps audiences interested and wondering what could occur in places like this. It can also be extremely relatable for individuals since these environments can create more extensive emotions. 

There seems to be a common idea that reality television just simply isn’t good, and many people don't understand why someone would want to watch these shows. Multiple people have come to me to tell me this, yet I struggle to understand this idea. Everybody has different opinions and tastes, but there is a humanistic element in reality shows. While they can be scripted, it can feel more real and connected to us as people in our hectic lives. There is a sense of deep emotionality that I don’t always experience within a fully scripted show. This isn’t to say that there aren’t fictional shows that don’t get to me, but reality shows can provide a sense of normalcy in the world we live in.