Ep 195: Why do smart people love dumb TV?

This episode is for anyone who has asked themselves why they're so invested in what is clearly outrageous, manipulative, and phony "reality" television shows. 

I watch Real Housewives every weekday on my lunch break, and as I've gone through phases of watching with both fascination and disgust, I’ve asked myself: why do smart people love dumb tv? What is it that we’re drawn to? Why do we get so sucked into the drama? Is it aspirational or escapism or something darker or is it just not that deep? 

And so I decided to explore that topic with the perfect guest: Matt Marr, cohost of the Reality Gays podcast. In this episode, Matt and I talk about our history of reality tv watching (starting with the Real World in the 90s), and we talk about how we think reality TV has changed culture, why we’re so invested in the lives of these reality TV personas, and so much more. We talked for over an hour and didn’t even scratch the surface of all that we could have discussed. 

FULL SHOW NOTES HERE

We do have an extended cut version of this episode over on the Secret Stuff patreon page, where Matt and I talk about our shared Oklahoma roots and I'll also be releasing a personal episode over there this week about my time working in reality television in the early 2000s. 

For all that bonus material, SIGN UP FOR SECRET STUFF HERE. 

You can listen more of Matt on the Reality Gays podcast 

Follow Matt Marr on social media

SPONSORS:

Uncommon Goods // Go to UncommonGoods.com/YOU for 15% off your order

MENTIONED in this episode:

Instagram Christopher Ryan Stamey - @christopherryanstamey 

90 Day Fiancé on TLC 

Real Housewives franchise on Bravo 

RuPaul’s Drag Race on MTV 

Passions Soap Opera on NBC 

The Real World on MTV

Duck Dynasty on A&E 

Bittersweet by Susan Cain

Indian Matchmaking on Netflix 

Love is Blind on Netflix

Married at First Sight on Lifetime 

Pig Royalty on Amazon Prime Video 

Nanny 911, now on Amazon Prime Video 

Doggy Fizzle Televizzle on MTV 

Crowned on FOX 

America’s Next Top Model on UPN/The CW 

Joe Millionaire on FOX

The Swan on FOX 

90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort on TLC 

The Golden Bachelor on ABC 

If you liked this episode you may like:

Ep 189: About the Hollywood Strikes and How They Affect You

SUBSCRIBE to 10 Things To Tell You so you never miss an episode!

CLICK HERE for episode show notes

FOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on Instagram

FOLLOW @10ThingsToTellYou on Facebook

JOIN the 10 Things To Tell You Connection Group

SIGN UP for episode emails, links, and show notes

JOIN the Secret Stuff Patreon

BUY THE BOOK: Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First. by Laura Tremaine

BUY THE BOOK: The Life Council: 10 Friends Every Woman Needs by Laura Tremaine

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices