Apple News In Conversation

Rebroadcast: How “real” is reality TV?

Aug 28, 2025
Emily Nussbaum, a New Yorker staff writer and reality TV expert, dives deep into the fascinating world of reality television. She discusses the evolution of the genre, tracing its roots from early radio to iconic shows like 'Queer Eye'. Nussbaum reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of popular series and explores contestant struggles, including exploitation in shows like 'Love Is Blind'. The conversation also touches on the ethical dilemmas viewers face while consuming these often-manipulative programs, challenging perceptions of authenticity in modern entertainment.
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INSIGHT

Roots Of Reality TV

  • Alan Funt's Candid Camera invented core reality-TV tools like hidden taping and producer interventions.
  • The show's
ANECDOTE

The Loud Family Example

  • PBS filmed the Loud family for seven months and later aired An American Family in 1973.
  • The program turned private marital conflict into national controversy and early reality fame.
INSIGHT

Naivety Creates Authentic Drama

  • An American Family showed that naive participants produce strikingly authentic television.
  • The show's public reaction foreshadowed later moral panic about reality TV's cultural effects.
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