We are all guilty of watching and being hooked on reality TV shows at some point in our lives. It is something a lot of people may find cringe. But of course, they’re eager to stay in the loop every step of the way, and I was one of them. Never thought I would be attracted to a show about the lives of people I don’t know, but then came Dubai Bling, Too Hot To Handle, Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and so many more. And just like that, I was hooked.
A lot of people question “Why do they like to watch the lives of other people, people we don’t personally know?” I think it is because we don’t personally know them we enjoy the drama that comes with it. It is the drama that does not require you to burn your energy or use your brain, it’s a guilty pleasure for most of us. We are always working, or worrying about something, we don’t want to see a show or read news that also requires us to think. It’s all exhausting. We want a no-brainer, that takes minimal thinking, a show that can just run in the background and make us forget about all the things that are happening in our lives for those 40 minutes. It’s a reality away from reality.
It’s like a fresh approach to tackling the relentless challenges of our generation—a chance to unwind and lose ourselves in their lives. You can let off steam by getting wrapped up in their silly arguments, feeling their frustrations, and witnessing their struggles, all while stepping back from your own for a while. And then again, we step into reality, our reality, fresh, and maybe a little less stressed.
We’re drawn to the stars, craving an escape from the everyday. Through their lives, filled with drama, gossip, and intrigue, we get to be part of something vibrant and unpredictable. It’s a thrill to watch, judge, and imagine, letting their choices and lifestyles pull us into another world.
In the end, reality TV is more than just entertainment; it’s a guilty escape. It gives us an outlet to feel connected, yet detached—a space where we can see drama play out with no real stakes on our end. And when the screen fades to black, we return to our worlds a bit lighter, recharged, and ready to take on the next episode—of our lives.
