Dr. Danielle Lindemann

And it's kind of interesting because when people tell me they don't watch reality TV, oftentimes they'll say, well, I mean, I don't watch the Kardashians. I don't watch Real Housewives. That's what they think of when they think of reality TV. But most people are watching reality TV in some form.

So it's kind of an unsatisfying answer. But as a sociologist, I often say reality TV is a social construct. And so there isn't any one definition of it. So it's kind of messy as a construct. The definition that I use, there's two things, basically, is people behaving as themselves rather than as characters. And you can already see how that's kind of messy, right?

So it's kind of an unsatisfying answer. But as a sociologist, I often say reality TV is a social construct. And so there isn't any one definition of it. So it's kind of messy as a construct. The definition that I use, there's two things, basically, is people behaving as themselves rather than as characters. And you can already see how that's kind of messy, right?

So it's kind of an unsatisfying answer. But as a sociologist, I often say reality TV is a social construct. And so there isn't any one definition of it. So it's kind of messy as a construct. The definition that I use, there's two things, basically, is people behaving as themselves rather than as characters. And you can already see how that's kind of messy, right?

If there's some scripting involved, you know, it's all kind of performative. People are still performing. But basically, it's, you know, Kim Kardashian is being Kim Kardashian. She's not playing a character.

If there's some scripting involved, you know, it's all kind of performative. People are still performing. But basically, it's, you know, Kim Kardashian is being Kim Kardashian. She's not playing a character.

If there's some scripting involved, you know, it's all kind of performative. People are still performing. But basically, it's, you know, Kim Kardashian is being Kim Kardashian. She's not playing a character.

And then the main intent is to entertain rather than educate. So like the news wouldn't be considered reality TV, although again, that gets messy, right? Because... pick what stories to tell in the news to entertain. But the main purpose of a documentary allegedly is to educate. But again, a lot of messiness, right? You can probably think of a lot of exceptions, right?

And then the main intent is to entertain rather than educate. So like the news wouldn't be considered reality TV, although again, that gets messy, right? Because... pick what stories to tell in the news to entertain. But the main purpose of a documentary allegedly is to educate. But again, a lot of messiness, right? You can probably think of a lot of exceptions, right?

And then the main intent is to entertain rather than educate. So like the news wouldn't be considered reality TV, although again, that gets messy, right? Because... pick what stories to tell in the news to entertain. But the main purpose of a documentary allegedly is to educate. But again, a lot of messiness, right? You can probably think of a lot of exceptions, right?

What side of the line a certain thing goes on.

What side of the line a certain thing goes on.

What side of the line a certain thing goes on.

Yeah, that's right. Again, I think you nailed it when you said the closer to documentary it is, people see it as more kind of legitimate. I think you used the word smut, right? Like less smutty if it's overtly trying to teach us something. Although, of course, I argue that all reality TV is actually can be educational for us if we know where to look.

Yeah, that's right. Again, I think you nailed it when you said the closer to documentary it is, people see it as more kind of legitimate. I think you used the word smut, right? Like less smutty if it's overtly trying to teach us something. Although, of course, I argue that all reality TV is actually can be educational for us if we know where to look.

Yeah, that's right. Again, I think you nailed it when you said the closer to documentary it is, people see it as more kind of legitimate. I think you used the word smut, right? Like less smutty if it's overtly trying to teach us something. Although, of course, I argue that all reality TV is actually can be educational for us if we know where to look.

And so people tune into different shows for different reasons, right? And there probably are people who are watching like Bake Off or Top Chef to like learn how to sous vide meat or make a souffle. Right. I also cannot do those things. So there is that educational element. But so there's a lot of research that looks at why people tune in.

And so people tune into different shows for different reasons, right? And there probably are people who are watching like Bake Off or Top Chef to like learn how to sous vide meat or make a souffle. Right. I also cannot do those things. So there is that educational element. But so there's a lot of research that looks at why people tune in.

And so people tune into different shows for different reasons, right? And there probably are people who are watching like Bake Off or Top Chef to like learn how to sous vide meat or make a souffle. Right. I also cannot do those things. So there is that educational element. But so there's a lot of research that looks at why people tune in.

One of the things is that kind of voyeurism element where you're watching the train wreck to remind yourself that you are not of the train wreck to feel slightly superior. Right. Like. Well, my life might be messed up in some ways, but at least I'm not like competing on The Bachelor or eating bugs for the camera. So there definitely is that, you know, there's also that sort of community.