The Impact Behind the Screen: Why Reality TV is Toxic

Disclaimer: Before this gets a ton of backlash, please be reminded that this is merely opinion. I am in no way trying to directly bash the production of a show or program. I am only explaining the negative impact it can have on its viewers (more than what we may realize). I have even watched the reality shows myself & found it entertaining at some points, but I realized that it’s not good to be consumed by reality TV or follow it so heavily.

With any reality TV show, there will be drama. That’s a given. The problem is that it impacts the viewers mentally more than what meets the eye. The relationships that are displayed from family to friendship to personal are all messed up. You’re talking about mothers being too involved in their son’s relationships, friendship boundaries being infiltrated, people sleeping together that shouldn’t be, and don’t get me started on the constant rumors that have been circulated and then recycled four times over. Now, I can’t speak to whether or not these people act the same way they do on screen as they do in person, but what I can say is that the way they present themselves on television (and sometimes even social media) is some of the most outrageous behavior to see. These shows rarely include scenes of actual positivity unless it is an event, characters coming to a resolution, or something in a personal friendship or relationship. Even then, those moments don’t last too long. 

Many of the things that happen on the show are either staged or enhanced by the producers. Editing can make you perceive things differently, but the perception is public. There are also people watching that have begun idolizing reality TV stars or glorifying them and their behavior even when it is unacceptable.

Even when you are enjoying an episode of reality TV, that kind of content can have a negative impact on your mental health. These shows can skew your view of life, feeding you a desire to acquire the possessions of others whether they are actual relationships, clothes, finances, or career aspirations. You can’t constantly be consumed by someone else’s life and forget about your own. You can only be yourself.

If you take a step back and think about it, reality TV shows aren’t even presenting African Americans in the best light. The women on the show are always displayed as argumentative, full of jealousy and strife. The men seem not to have an understanding of genuine relationships and can be stingy or reluctant to share their fame. Yes, there are some staged scenes but you can easily forget that when you’re consumed in the show. Reality shows that include other races don’t match the extremity of this show in some regards.

Ironically enough, Love & Hip-Hop won the award for “Reality Royalty” over popular shows Jersey Shore Family Vacation and The Bachelor. The Jersey Shore cast seemed to have the upper hand because of the show’s long-lasting history and its notoriety as the sequel to the original reality show, Jersey Shore, which was on tv for three years. The win did make history since the show has a predominately African American cast, but we should be receiving more awards for more positive things. African Americans have been painted as the “bad guy,” labeled as “ghetto,” or perceived to be “’too much to handle” for so long that we need to rewrite the narrative.

Although many of the stars of this show are successful in real life and have their own things going on that aren’t related to the production of it, it is still just the principle of it overall. The interpretation of African Americans has been skewed for decade upon a decade and the show doesn’t particularly help. Not to mention that there is a more spotlight on shows and other media content like it but not on things that show us in the most positive light. 

I am in no way trying to shame the cast of the show or convince you to stop watching it, I’m just asking that you be a little more aware of what you’re actually watching and how you allow it to impact you.