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MPR News with Angela Davis
Angela Davis and Samantha Matsumoto

What reality TV says about us

A man holds a remote control.
Do you love reality TV? If you do, you aren’t alone. Reality TV – from game shows to candid camera to dating competitions – has captured our attention for decades. Coming up Friday, host Angela Davis talks all about reality TV, why we love it and what that says about us.
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Editor’s Note: This program was originally scheduled to air on Feb. 4. It has been rescheduled to March 11.

Have you been watching reality TV during the pandemic? If you answered yes, you aren’t alone. “Tiger King,” “Love Is Blind” and “The Bachelor” are just a few of the reality shows that captured audiences’ attention in the past few years. And new reality shows launch so often it can be hard to keep up with what’s trending. 

Reality TV has been fascinating viewers since “Candid Camera” debuted in 1948. And they are big moneymakers for networks — the shows often have low production costs but reach millions of viewers. 

Host Angela Davis talks all about reality TV, why we love it and what that says about us. 

Guests: 

  • Amanda Klein is an associate professor of Film Studies at East Carolina University. She is also the author of the book “Millennials Killed the Video Star: MTV’s Transition to Reality Programming” 

  • Amelia Wedemeyer is a producer at The Ringer and the co-host of the Ringer Reality TV Podcast.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.