The past 20 years of reality dating shows help tell the disturbing history of America

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-...shows-history/

"If you are looking for the exact moment when American culture went off the rails that it has never managed to climb back on, may we offer a singular scene on television from Feb. 15, 2000: a man in a tuxedo, bent down on one knee, proposing to a total stranger in a wedding gown. She tearfully accepts while four other women, also wearing wedding dresses, shuffle off the stage," says Emily Yahr. "The nearly 23 million viewers who tuned into Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? (from The Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss) were simultaneously riveted and horrified. But most importantly, there were 23 million of them. This would not be a one-time phenomenon, but rather the origin story for a new genre, the 'reality dating show'...Since then, millions upon millions of people have spent many hours of their lives enraptured by these shows, which continue to proliferate with no sign of slowing down, like an invasive species that has become part of our natural environment. How did this happen? And what has 20 years of watching these spectacles — singles hooking up, couples breaking up and aspiring Instagram influencers melting down, all in the name of finding 'love' — done to us? To find out, we chose one reality dating show that debuted every year from 2000 through 2020 — shows that were particularly popular, controversial, influential or taught us something unexpected...We talked to dozens of people: Contestants who loved the experience and those who regret everything. Producers who are proud of the content they made and others who could never stomach to work in the genre again. Reality TV experts who appreciate the escapism and entertainment value, but also lament the negative influence of these shows, from perpetuating damaging stereotypes to fueling the lack of representation on our screens. Sometimes, these series are surprisingly hopeful. But mostly, they are disturbing. Deeply disturbing. But no matter how many people decry that the shows are

[Hawkee]

The reason why dating reality shows have become popular is because in between the game shows the talk shows and news shows soap operas and sitcoms these dating reality shows started to become huge since Love Connection began in 1983 becoming the first dating reality show. But ever since Love Connection ended there was soon a fad of dating shows but it was the debut of the original Temptation Island and Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire on FOX the dating reality show genre took off like a rocket and soon with the show Married By America FOX knew that these reality shows would bring high ratings to the network. But it wasn't until an ABC show that happens to be hosted by a certain fellow named Chris "Not Chris Pratt but rather Chris Harrison" became popular and if you guessed The Bachelor you are a winner. But anyway once The Bachelor became a smash hit other networks followed suit with NBC jumping on the dating reality show bandwagon with the shows For Love Or Money Average Joe and the odd Who Wants To Marry My Dad I don't know why NBC thought these shows were hits but they failed to give NBC ratings and were cancelled. But if it wasn't for The Bachelor/Bachelorette the reality dating show genre has become popular again and will continue to grow as the future grows strong in TV