In the first episode of a two-part series, Julia is joined by Binchtopia favorite Allegra Chapman to lovingly dissect the mind-bending genre of reality TV. The girlies trace its evolution from chaotic human experimentation into neoliberal propaganda, mapping the multiverse across TLC, E!, MTV, and Bravo while decoding the cultural logic each network normalizes along the way. Digressions include the ultimate guide to landing yourself a cruise bae, Boston as a cosmic punishment, and Allegra's short-lived stint as a puck bunny.

This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Kylie Finnigan and edited by Livi Burdette.

Check out Allegra's radio show here: https://kpiss.fm/show/reverse-library/

To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

SOURCES

Cue the Sun! By Emily Nussbaum

Everything old is new again: reality television celebrity, the Hollywood studio system, and the battle for control of one's image

'For the first time in ________ history…': microcelebrity and/as historicity in reality TV competitions

Neoliberal exploitation in reality television: youth, health and the spectacle of celebrity 'concern'

Queen for a Day - Partial 1956 episode

Reality Television: a Neoliberal Theater of Suffering

Reality TV The Work of Being Watched by Mark Andrejevic

The Dark Side of "Reality TV": Professional Ethics and the Treatment of "Reality"-Show Participants

Uncomfortable Television

UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICAN DREAM FROM KARDASHIAN FAMILY THROUGH KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIAN REALITY SHOW