Skip Navigation
Reality TV
May 13, 2022
The Geopolitics of Eurovision During a Time of War
After years of the international song contest trying to stamp politics out of its broadcasts, Ukraine is the betting favorite to win.
November 1, 2021
Mike Rowe’s Dirtiest Job? Cozying Up to Conservatives
The “Dirty Jobs” host is back with “How America Works,” reprising his favorite themes of grime, danger, and masculinity.
May 7, 2021
Andy Cohen’s Reality Television Fantasy
What the host of “For Real: The Story of Reality TV” is really selling
March 3, 2020
A Virus Is Not a Messaging Problem
It shouldn’t take a pandemic to clarify what is at stake in politics.
November 27, 2019
Magazine
The Gentle Pleasures of Terrace House
The reality show’s new season requires complete immersion.
April 19, 2017
We Are Living in a Golden Age of Reality Television
The turn toward niche obsessions reflects America in all its humble, variegated glory. But at what cost?
February 13, 2017
Donald Trump is playing Apprentice with Michael Flynn, Reince Priebus, and Sean Spicer.
November 2, 2016
Apprentice producer and man responsible for American decline Mark Burnett may have stopped the flood of damaging Trump leaks.
June 21, 2016
UnREAL: The Drama of Meaningless Work
The spoof reality show doesn't depict female empowerment, but a toxic office culture.
December 3, 2015
The children have become sophisticated media consumers.
August 4, 2015
When You'd Rather Watch the Producer Than the Reality Show
June 2, 2015
Television's Long History of Humiliating Poor People
"The Briefcase" and "Britain's Hardest Grafter" enter the annals of Misery TV.
May 6, 2015
'Survivor' Is a Damning Illustration of America’s Distorted Class Politics
October 1, 2014
The GOP's Sexist Reality TV Spoofs Aren't Going to Win Over Female Voters
May 20, 2014
Spoiled Rotten
Thanks to the Reality Steve website, I know who wins "The Bachelorette." Why do I still watch?
April 3, 2013
Death and Reality TV
What does the 'Buckwild' star's tragic end tell us about the genre?
March 27, 2013
Realities
March 15, 2013
'Duck Dynasty' and the Hyper-Masculine Redneck Reality Show
February 18, 2013
The New Essayists, or the Decline of a Form?
David Sedaris and a literary version of reality TV

Our Writers

Kate AronoffClimate & Energy
Matt FordLaw & The Courts
Melissa Gira GrantLGBTQ Rights
Jason LinkinsPower & Plutocracy
Timothy NoahPolitics & Economy
Tori OttenBreaking News
Ellie Quinlan HoughtalingBreaking News
Grace SegersCongress & Elections
Walter ShapiroPolitics & Campaigns
Alex ShephardPolitics & Media
Heather Souvaine HornClimate Change
Michael TomaskyPolitics & Ideas
About The New Republic’s history