The Reality of Reality TV

Love Island started last night, so unsurprisingly it's a key topic of conversation in the office today. Everyone has an opinion on it and be it they're a glutton for any and all reality TV, or think it's the most recent example mankind's decent into madness, pretty much everyone seems to agree on the fact that reality TV can actually be quite damaging to those involved if not supported properly.

ITV has made notable efforts such as engaging mental health professionals from pre-filming through to post to after care, providing financial and media training and support within aftercare protocols and much more. What’s more, there are many brilliant talent management agencies continuing to provide brilliant after care and support for reality TV talent as they grow their careers.

However, a key thing which can often be attributed to mental health concerns a lot of contestants experience, is often a direct result of how the public perceive them based on their behaviour in the illustrious villa. Or as is the reality of reality TV, what the editing allows the public to see of their behaviour, which has always been the case with show formats such as this.

Reality star Vicky Pattinson recently discussed this during an interview on Saturday Live (link below). Vicky rose to fame as an original cast member of Geordie Shore, which as many will know was one of the original reality shows of this nature. Following eight young people 24/7, recording their day to day lives and adding in a little sensational spice when they felt it necessary. And for every 42 minute episode, they would have roughly 100 hours of footage. Now she's in no way saying she didn't do what was eventually aired in the programme. But take a moment to consider how you'd feel if only 7% of your life was what people based 100% of their opinion about you. Vicky says "[she's] spent 10 years trying to make people forget the person [she] was" as a result.

So as this series progresses, and with any other scripted reality show you may enjoy, remember the reality is actually all a fantasy.

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0dwc3pj

https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/love-island-announces-duty-care-measures-2023#:~:text=%2D%20Registered%20mental%20health%20professional%20engaged,GP%20to%20check%20medical%20history.