We've all been there. It's 2 AM, and you've got an exam tomorrow, that you have been shamelessly procrastinating over, yet somehow, you're glued to the screen, watching strangers furiously bicker over who ‘stole’ whose hairbrush. Or you told your friends you weren’t feeling up for dinner when you’re just binging Selling Sunsets. Or enjoying some revenge bedtime procrastination, guffawing over chef Gordan Ramsay biting the incompetent sous chef, correction, “Idiot Sandwich’s” head off in an absolute rage, with pitch-perfect insults. 

(Photo by: imgflip)

Welcome to the voracious world of reality TV, where logic takes a backseat and drama reigns supreme. 

But why do we, as presumably intelligent university students, find ourselves drawn into these ridiculously addictive spectacles? It's a mind-boggling love-hate relationship that's as complex as my bestie’s eccentric and broken sense of humour. 

We know these shows aren't exactly highbrow entertainment. They're not going to show up on your professor's recommended reading list (unless you're taking a course on pop culture and celebrity life like me, in which case, kudos to your course structure). Yet, we can't seem to look away. 

Take "The Bachelor," for instance. On paper, it's absurd - one person dating multiple people simultaneously, all vying for a proposal after a few weeks. In real life, we'd call that a recipe for disaster. But on TV? It's prime-time gold. Or the chances of any reality TV relationship lasting are about as good as you acing that exam you're clearly not studying for. Doomed, much? 

Then there's the escapism factor. Let's be honest, after a day of wrestling with complex theories and mountainous assignments, sometimes your brain cells need a break. And what better way to unwind than by watching people make life choices far worse than forgetting to do your laundry for the third week in a row? Or I’d rather let ‘Sir’ Simon Cowell continue charming me with his wit and sarcasm in another YouTube video compilation of the wackiest auditions of America’s Got Talent. 

While chatting about my reality TV obsession dilemma with a fellow media student and companion, Neha Sharma, who is pursuing a dual Bachelor of Commerce and Media (PR and Advertising), she veritably stated, “Honestly, trashy reality television is all about drama and capturing people's attention. We all know it's scripted, yet we get shocked by the drama and changes in people’s equation, but at the end of the day I'd still watch it. Especially after a long and stressful day at work, it's fun to disengage from my own life and escape into the absurdity of another life (or a scripted one, at that), even if it's for a little while. It's oddly comforting and satisfying.” 

As for me, Bigg Boss, or the Indian counterpart of the American ‘Big Brother’, has been a personal favorite since I was a kid. Bigg Boss is nearing its 20th anniversary at lightning speed, and the brain-rot-inducing hogwash that we see on our screens, year after year, doesn’t seem to cease. Yet, one of the most viral scenes from the show, which is famous in the meme world as “Pooja what is this behavior” will always hold a special place in my heart: 

Take "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Their problems are so far removed from our daily struggles that it's almost therapeutic. Worried about your student loans? Well, at least you're not stressing over which mansion to buy or which private jet to take to your next vacation spot. Concerning the popularity of the genre Professor Luk pointed out that; “Many factors contribute to reality TV shows' popularity, ranging from the competitions in which the participants are pitted against each other to the fantasy situations created especially for the shows.”

But this deliberation and dissection of the infamous reality TV dramas is not all about mindless entertainment. These shows often serve as a bizarre mirror to our society, reflecting (and sometimes magnifying) our values, prejudices, and aspirations.

"Survivor" isn't just about people eating bugs. It's a microcosm of social dynamics, strategy, and human nature under pressure. It's like a semester-long group project condensed into adrenaline-pumping, entertainment. Actually, would a group assignment TV show be funny? Reality TV also gives us a shared cultural experience. In a world where the media is increasingly fragmented, these shows provide common ground. They're the modern equivalent of gathering around the campfire to share stories. Except now, the campfires are on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, and we're all roasting the contestants together in real time.

However, our relationship with reality TV isn't all rosy. We're aware of its problematic aspects - the often-contrived drama, the questionable editing for clickbaity viral moments, and the promotion of unrealistic standards – be it beauty, love life, or lifestyle. It's like that friend who's super dope and fun at parties but a terrible influence on your life choices (did someone pop up on your mind, lol!). We know it's not great for us, but we keep witnessing their audacity regardless. 

I had a chance to explore this further and interact with Dr. Lukasz Swiatek, who’s a senior lecturer, in the School of the Arts and Media at UNSW. He’s currently teaching a course titled ‘Celebrity, Media, and Culture’. Interestingly, when asked if reality TV reflects or constructs society, Professor Luk took an alternative perspective and said: “I hope that the new reality TV shows that we’re seeing increasingly emerging in different parts of the world – shows like ‘Ai no Sato/Love Village’, ‘What the Love’ and ‘Bake Squad’ – might be a sign that the reality TV genre might be slowly becoming more humane, hopefully.”

In the end, perhaps our love-hate relationship with reality TV says more about us than the shows themselves. It reflects our unending desire for entertainment, our curiosity about other people's lives, and yes, sometimes our need to feel superior to someone who thought it was a good idea to get married to a stranger on national television.

So, the next time you find yourself binge-watching "Love Island", “Bigg Boss” or the rudest auditions of “American Idol” instead of studying for your end-term exams, don't be too hard on yourself. Just remember - everything in moderation. Including moderation itself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have scheduled to watch another bizarre and BS season of “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives”, while I cope with my quarter-life crisis, and bloom through the gloom and doom of the not-so-fabulous capitalism. (ughh!)