Three in five Americans believe reality TV has gone too far, according to a new study.
A new survey of 2,000 people examined people’s perceptions of reality TV. The results show that many believe the unscripted shows take too many liberties in monetizing participants’ traumatic moments.
Respondents were asked if they thought reality TV had pushed the personal suffering of participants too far into entertainment – and just over half (57%) thought so.
The survey, conducted by Talker Research, follows the controversy Bachelorette Season 21 finale in which star Jenn Tran was forced to revisit her engagement breakup on live television.
The episode sparked a backlash from fans on social media, with online conversations questioning the ethics surrounding the network’s decision to air the incident.
The survey results show that half of Americans (56%) surveyed believe reality TV producers should be held responsible for the mental health of participants.
Half of millennials surveyed (46%) said they were reconsidering their decision to watch the Single/Bachelorette frankness with 45% saying the incident with Jen Tran made them think about the reality TV they consume.
“Viewers are sensitive to reality TV participants,” said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and reality TV consultant. “But would they watch reality TV shows if they were all warm and pleasant, versus ones that put participants in the most humiliating situations?”
Lieberman says that beyond changing audiences’ minds about what they consider entertainment, there are other improvements that need to be made. “A good start would be to provide emergency follow-up to participants in their hometowns, instead of rushing them off the set and into cars to the airport.”
Asked what additional policy changes Lieberman would like to see in place to protect reality TV contestants, she said: “Contracts for reality TV contestants basically say that the production company is not responsible for anything that goes wrong, anything that the contestant didn’t expect, or any damage to their reputation or life. But that’s done in veiled terms, while dangling fame and fortune like a carrot.”
Lieberman went on to explain: “Reality TV shows should do more to assess the mental health of potential participants. Some shows have a consulting psychiatrist, but the majority do not.”
Survey methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans from the general population; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between September 6 and September 11, 2024.
