Reality television has long confronted personal crises. Who can forget the contentious relationship between homophobic Puck and gay, HIV-positive Pedro on 1994’s The Real World: San Francisco? After the turn of the millennium, self-improvement shows from the extreme makeover The Swan to the controversial Starting Over became commonplace. Nonetheless, mental health topics remained off-limits -- until 2009, when phobias began to sweep the reality TV airwaves.
The History of American Reality TV
In order to understand the possible impact of today’s reality television standards on participants who suffer from phobias, it is important to understand the history of American reality TV. The earliest American reality TV show is believed to be the documentary-style An American Family, a 1973 PBS show that followed a single family through a divorce.
During the 1980s, increasingly personal talk shows paved the way for modern reality television. Hosts such as Phil Donahue, Oprah Winfrey and Geraldo Rivera broke through many of the barriers and taboos of network television. Mental health issues were explored on many of these shows, although the brief 30- to 60-minute time span and on-air psychologists ensured that topics were covered only on a surface level.
In 1992, MTV’s The Real World changed the face of American television. For the first time, strangers were thrown together for months at a time, with no way to escape each other -- or the cameras.
In 2000, CBS’ Survivor, based on the Swedish Expedition Robinson, added the twin elements of survival and competition to the formula. It was a winning combination that launched a reality television craze. Fear Factor, a competition show that aired on NBC from 2001 to 2006, encouraged contestants to face their fears in a series of stunts. Most contestants showed signs of fear or apprehension, but only rarely did a contestant completely refuse to perform a task or display a legitimate phobic reaction.
Public Reactions and Network Responses
Public opinion was extremely mixed during the early days of reality television. Some argued that participants were being exploited. As non-actors, reality show participants were not governed by union regulations. They were not “paid,” in a traditional sense, although cash compensation at the end of a series has always been a part of the reality show formula. Many worried about the effect that constant scrutiny would have on ordinary citizens.
To alleviate these concerns, reality show participants were heavily screened. Background checks, psychological evaluations, intense interviews and other measures were employed to weed out those with questionable pasts or mental health difficulties. In the early years, physical disabilities were generally grounds for disqualification as well. Off-air psychologists were employed to monitor participants’ mental status and speak with them as needed.
During the first decade of the new millennium, reality television exploded in popularity. Self-improvement shows became a new craze, focusing on topics ranging from weight loss to plastic surgery. Contestants with physical disabilities were increasingly featured, even on highly athletic shows such as Survivor. Mental health disorders remained largely off-limits, as the participant screening process ruled out those with major mental health conditions.
So much for the past. How has reality television changed today? Why was fall 2009 such a landmark television season for those with mental health disorders? What does the future hold?
