How Reality TV Houses Are Built to Break People

[theemii]

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This video explores how the architecture and design of spaces in reality TV shows influence participant behavior and viewer perception. Beginning with the 1973 series "An American Family," it examines how the physical environment-from ordinary homes to specially constructed sets-plays a crucial role in shaping narratives and emotional dynamics. The

Comments

[yankeesarelove]

people laugh when I refer to the Bachelor as a psychological experiment but it really is! the contestants are completely cut off from the outside world, all anyone talks about is the lead and of course they're going to feel like they're in love within a matter of days.

[fraggleroq]

If you're interested in this topic - I recommend the book
"Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV" by Emily Nussbaum. From the start of reality tv's origins through big hits like Survivor, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and Big Brother - you'll get a deep dive on everything reality tv. There's also a chapter dedicated to "An American Family," which is mentioned in this YT video.

[ahkna]

I mean, yeah. The whole point of Big Brother is to cause psychological stress and conflict. That's why it's called BIG BROTHER. The totalitarian themes and constant surveillance they're invoking even with the name of the show should be enough for people to understand what it's about.

All these shows hinge on what I call 'camp mentality'. Anyone who went away to camp for a couple of weeks as a kid or teen knows that the emotions are intense. I used to go to a 10 day music and art camp and teens were getting together, breaking up and getting together with someone else in that time period because the constant physical proximity gives the illusion of emotional closeness.

[alwayspolaris]

I wonder if open office plans and overworked staff have resulted in the whole work spouse concept in a similar way.

[akillarian]

I saw a documentary years ago about this issues in England/Britain. Long hours of work over there had led to a prevalent issue of people cheating with with their co-workers. I don't know know how accurate that documentary was or how it is now at present time.

I just thought it was depressing and didn't finish the documentary.

[frodo]

Yeah, contestants are always saying how one day feels like a week and a week feels like months, because they live with each other 24/7 in this very intense environment.

Plus the way they don't have any type of phone or books or media to entertain them, just each other.

[pi_lady]

A former MTV realty TV contestant said how producers were specifically looking for unstable people to highten the drama and make it easier to manipulate them.

[evilfirepixie8]

My mind immediately jumped to MTV's manipulation too - someone on one of their shows (I wanna say The Challenge? or Jersey Shore?) said they deliberately stock the houses with a ton of alcohol but little food

[archersangel]

There was a post here several years back about The Challenge & a contestant said they were supplied with a lot of booze. But were not allowed to show up for the challenges drunk.

[frodo]

I think after the multiple sexual assault scandals on shows like Bachelor in Paradise, I think a lot of shows have really clamped down on alcohol. I read behind the scenes on Love is Blind and they get maybe two glasses of wine a night, if that. But networks definitely used to ply contestants with free alcohol big time.

I also read they often have uncomfortable sitting areas, the lights are super bright, food is bad, and since they're often told when to go to bed/wake up they're kept sleep deprived. All to get people super strung out.

[itsme_eloise]

did anyone ever finish unreal? i remember the first season being really good.

[syphilisdiller]

God, that took such a nosedive

[ahkna]

I noped out at the third season, I think.

[jetmeiko]

I finished it very recently. It's on Netflix. It was difficult to get through tbh... it got really crazy. The first season was the best.