We're examining the spectrum of how reality television shows today handle the "performance of reality." From casts opening acknowledging that they're filming a show, like Real Housewives of Atlanta and Potomac ... to shows that grow alongside their casts' rising fame, like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. We'll touch on Hulu's new show, Million Dollar Nannies, as a case study in performative reality: are these nannies truly paying rent, competing for jobs, etc? We'll also touch on the shift from aspirational, Kardashian-style wealth to these more relatable, conflict-drive casts, like Real Housewives of Rhode Island and Love Island USA. How much longer are we going to pretend that being on reality tv is not a career in itself?

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