Entertainment TV

8 Reasons Why Reality Shows are Popular

8 Reasons Why Reality Shows are Popular
  • PublishedJanuary 24, 2025

Even if you are not into reality shows, it’s getting harder and harder to avoid them. In a relatively shorter time, reality television has transformed into a common household item, and this increase in popularity is due to a variety of factors.

It’s not only that they are so relatable and family-friendly, according to studies. Psychologists say it is motivated by a desire to fit in with a certain group of people. One person now shares a common interest with a group of individuals after viewing the show.

Additionally, reality television gives viewers the chance to envision being famous through publicity. We think that it’s easy for people to sit about and daydream about getting famous. Even though reality television stars are thought of as evil characters, more people are tuning in to watch.

The Idea of Reality TV Shows

    What popular reality shows portray as real life is nothing. It became plausible and almost “Passé” to put people in situations only to see how they would respond. What will happen has already been observed by the audience. 

    As a result, predictions of human behaviour made in the past do not hold up as well as predictions made now, which tend to be filled with melodrama and unanticipated spoofs or stunts. 

    Daily life in real life isn’t nearly as dramatic and interesting as it is in these shows. Life is very much what we view it to be, not what our eyes are programmed to see. Reality television shows edit and modify scenes that mimic and seem real.

    To keep things interesting, the scenarios that were created or that already existed are changed. Producers of these shows often use the representation of human emotions to keep viewers’ interest. As a result, according to the TRP, tension, drama, sleaze, and humour are added. These might not be scripted, but based on how the audiences react, these might be added if necessary. 

    These programmes combine several clips to produce fascinating footage. The show’s creators will occasionally use a celebrity to promote the show.

    So, the questions of what, when, why, where, and how these shows are presented, and how other factors play their role. Let’s start where reality shows got the hype. 

    History and Lore of Reality Television

      The history of reality television and programmes that feature regular people in spontaneous circumstances is almost as old as the medium of television. In 1948, Allen Funt, a producer and host, debuted his show Candid Camera, in which subjects were put in amusing or unusual circumstances and secret cameras were used to capture the action. 

      It is frequently cited as a contemporary example of reality television programming.

      40s to 50s Reality Shows 

        With “Queen for a Day” as an early example, television trends that depicted people in spontaneous settings began in the late 1940s. In addition, a 1946 television game show called “Cash and Carry” included competitors pulling out feats. 

        40 Reality Shows

        The previously mentioned Allen Funt’s Candid Camera was shown after that. It aired the reactions of unaware regular people to practical jokes.

        Since 1948, amateur contestants and audience voting have been featured on talent search programmes including “Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour” and “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” The 1950s saw the rise of game shows like “Beat the Clock” and “Truth or Consequences,” where contestants participated in absurd games, stunts, and practical jokes.

        60s and 70s Reality Shows

          The first UK broadcast of the Granada Television documentary “Seven Up!” took place in 1964. A dozen typical 7-year-olds from a diverse cross-section of society were interviewed for a show that explored their perspectives on daily living.

          However, “The American Sportsman” series, which aired from 1965 to 1986 on ABC in the United States, may have been the first reality show in the modern sense. 

          60s reality shows

          It was a typical episode where the cast joined one or more celebrities—and occasionally their family members—on an outdoor activity like scuba diving, fishing, rock climbing, and other activities. As a result, the dialogue and activity are spontaneous.

          The 12-part “An American Family” PBS series from 1973 depicted a nuclear family going through a divorce. However, it was more or less a documentary in terms of style and intent, unlike many later reality shows. 

          The 1970s productions of Chuck Barris, such as “The Dating Game,” “The Gong Show,” and “The Newlywed Game,” also served as early examples of contemporary reality television. All of these competitions involved contestants who were prepared to give up some of their privacy and dignity for a television show.

          80s and 90s Reality Shows

            The reality TV series “Real People,” which was an unexpected hit for NBC, was created by producer George Schlatter by utilizing the popularity of videotape. This programme ran from 1979 to 1984, and ABC instantly imitated its success by creating “That’s Incredible,” a stunt show.

            Dutch television began airing the “Nummer 28” television series in 1991. It was the one who first proposed the idea of gathering strangers in a constrained setting for a set amount of time and filming the ensuing drama. 

            80s reality shows
            Real People (1983) shown clockwise from front: Peter Billingsley, Bill Rafferty, Byron Allen, Skip Stephenson, Mark Russell, Sarah Purcell

            This programme also established many stylistic practises that are now common in reality TV programmes, such as the “confessionals” that act as the show’s narrative. After a year, MTV incorporated this idea in “The Real World,” one of its television series.

            Later, reality television programmes like MasterChef were developed. The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of tabloid talk programmes, which featured strange guests who would eventually become well-known as reality show cast members.

            2000s Reality TV

              Reality TV shows gained popularity across the globe in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the success of series like “Survivor/Expedition Robinson“. However, reality TV shows temporarily saw a dip in American viewing in 2001 Recession, which led several entertainment industry columnists to surmise that the genre was a passing craze that had peaked.

              The Amazing Race, Lost, and The Mole were a few of the programmes that suffered from low ratings. However, there are other stronghold programmes that have endured, like “Survivor” and “American Idol.”

              Numerous reality TV programmes created in the late 1990s and early 2000s enjoyed success all around the world. “Idol,” “Star Academy,” and “The X Factor” are a few of these. 

              2010s Reality TV

                2010 was dominant with a show that had almost 50 worldwide adaptations, and ranked the most successful 2010 tv, The Voice. “The Tester” was the first reality TV programme to air on a gaming console, and it ran from 2010 to 2012. 

                2000s reality shows

                The Robertson family, who established the Duck Commander, were featured in “Duck Dynasty,” which rose to prominence in 2013 as the most watched reality show in the annals of American cable television. Ratings and revenue from reality TV, however, kept declining in the late 2010s.

                2020s Reality Shows

                “Reality TV really exploded in the 2020s! We saw some wild new shows pop up. ‘Love Is Blind‘ was crazy – people getting engaged without even seeing each other! Then there was ‘The Circle,’ where people pretended to be someone else online. It was a trip to see how people acted differently when they could hide behind a screen.

                Shows like ‘Selling Sunset‘ gave us a peek into the crazy world of luxury real estate. And let’s not forget ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race‘ – it continued to be a huge hit, celebrating self-expression and pushing boundaries.

                8 Reasons Reality Show are Popular

                  Of all of the shows that we have read above, each one of them holds a unique point, which sticks it out from the rest. While some drive human curiosity, others run through massive commercials. One way or another, they all hold one aspect constant, entertainment.  

                  So, let’s see, what drives reality television? The success of these shows is due to a following eight reasons:

                  1. Interest in Human Behaviours

                    According to a proverb, “Curiosity killed the cat,” but in this case, “Curiosity attracted the Public.” Though not as lethal as the original proverb, allure means that people are constantly curious to learn more about the mysterious or the unknowable. We believe that is the last entertainment series we are aware of. 

                    The clever producers, on the other hand, are constantly coming up with new ideas. They debut new formats, fresh talent, and other unheard-of or unimaginable acts. Real-life television programmes are no different from anything else in that they are bound to attract attention. Such programmes captivate and tempt the viewer to watch them. This is a crucial component of a reality show.

                    2. Aggressive Marketing 

                    Aggressive marketing is a significant contributor to the popularity of reality television. Large billboards, magazine covers, television commercials, and other media all prominently display this promotion. 

                    Even uninterested people are drawn in by it, which is what the advertisers want and how they persuade us to watch these programmes.

                    3. Value as Entertainment 

                    Boredom sets in when you watch boring television shows and movies. Here, reality television outperforms other shows. Drama, shock factor, creative stunts, talent, celebrity, hilarity, sleaze, and brutality abound in them. 

                    It fills the hole left in the human mind by programmes with standard formats. Some original act television programmes are praised because the best talent is recognized, valued, and compensated in these programmes. 

                    Here, they notice things they hadn’t anticipated or realized, particularly the dramatic ones. Even though they are aware of the manipulations, the audience doesn’t object because it gives excitement and zing to their otherwise monotonous and dismal existence. 

                    Also, they like to be acknowledged for their prediction of the outcome or can gossip about it with their friends and so on.

                    4. Belief in Reality Shows

                    Despite being intelligent, the people can be duped. This occurs, for instance, television programmes. Some viewers continue to think that what is being portrayed is “Reality” since it closely resembles their everyday activities. 

                    They struggle to reject this idea as a fabrication because it becomes ingrained in their thoughts as fact. Then there are youthful minds that lack a broader perspective on “What is real?” and “What is not real?” They take the bogus acts as genuine, and the concerts end up becoming their favorites.

                    5. Power Hunger

                    For those who are thirsty for power, the idea of voting for their favorites is somewhat satiating. They believe that the outcome of their vote helped their preferred candidate win. 

                    It gives them a sense of importance in relation to the candidates they are supporting and self-satisfaction in having some power.

                    6. Favorites and Unfavorites

                    When viewing television programmes, we often have our “Favorites” and “Unfavorites.” Our favorite people appeal to us for a variety of reasons: some are adorable, some come from their own region or religion, some seem sincere, and some elicit our sympathy. 

                    On the other hand, we despise some participants for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they are ugly, fake, don’t belong to their region or religion, or because we simply love-hate them. The reason these shows are so popular is because of our sentimental ties to these characters.

                    7. Peer Influence

                    Some individuals only watch these programmes to keep up with the latest fashion trends. They keep up with these shows, so they always have something to discuss in conversation or while they are socializing. 

                    Some people find it embarrassing to be uninformed about current trends.

                    8. Pleasure in Others’ Suffering

                      Some deranged individuals enjoy witnessing the suffering and bloodshed of others. They become dependent on the euphoria it offers them. 

                      The causes can vary; some may be connected to the suffering they have endured or the suffering they want they could administer to their oppressors but are unable to. It gives them a specific emotional outlet.

                      All in All

                        Even though they are occasionally seen as mindless entertainment, reality shows are insightful and creative. This is due to the fact that many of the practices used by young people are inspired by television programmes.

                        However, some of these programmes lack educational value or are so harmful that they undermine moral standards in society. They ought to be censored in such circumstances. This is true because these programmes have an impact on societal cultural norms. 

                        Some of the reality show programmes that might turn young people away from culture should be under government oversight. Therefore, depending on the programme being presented and the intended audience, reality shows should be encouraged.

                        Written By
                        Kammil Sarbuland

                        Kammil Sarbuland is a writer and a storytelling artist with a profound love for all things pop. As a writer, Kammil weaves narratives that plunge readers into different realms.

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