All reality shows are a game of “social politics”-despite the shows basis/premise.
In the name of “reality” for a show though, as a lover of social politics, I tend to take that literally and I tend to be drawn toward the social politics behind reality shows like Survivor, Big Brother, or Apprentice.
Though, generally speaking, I like many reality shows-I have to admit: I champion scripted television. Next to that however, nothing’s better than an unscripted / reality television with a purpose: To voyeur into the lives of people living/having lived [what they believe to be] their with purpose: Talented or skillful people building, creating and as a result of—have past, presents or futures having come to fruition (or demise)-letting cameras into their world of things they have/are creating with their minds, hands, voices etc. and manifesting in their lives.
Premiering Thursday, May 21 10 at p.m. …entre vous WeTv’s newest reality show called “Cutting it in the ATL”-a show which follows four hair salon owners determined to make major moves in the Atlanta hair market.
Its press release reads as follows [quote]:
“The show follows four glamorous and headstrong salon owners, as they compete to dominate the Atlanta hair game. In the ATL hair community, you keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. These salon owners are opinionated, fierce, and have a flair for hair, as well as the dramatic.
In the premiere episode of Cutting It: Maja formulates a plan to grow her empire with the help of the city’s top salon owners and gathers Beautii, Mushiya, and Dedra for a meeting of the minds. However, when ATL’s top hair divas are put together in one room; it’s far from what she expected. Though Mushiya can see Maja’s vision, others are not so easily convinced. Dedra ruffles feathers when she reveals that she hired LaKenya, a former employee of Beauttii’s, to help increase her business. Is Maja strong enough to convince these owners to follow her lead? Or will they let jealousies, petty money squabbles and egos come between them and the ‘coins’ Maja has to offer?”
Welp.
I’m just the messenger. Let’s see if you might like it. Check out the previews:
Looks as though they’ve got their work cut out for them got themselves cut out for themselves, eh?
Let me say something… 
May I be first name Frank, last name Honest and cut out the middle man?
Reality shows aren’t the same anymore. People start in with wayyyy too much attitude, expectation, and defensiveness (for social media armor)-forcing them into bizarre, over the top scenarios on camera that (post-show), they’re painting their social media timelines with the edit of who they “really kinda” are [and that person on the show was edited to “look that way”].
Sometimes when I’m looking at this stuff and trying to receive it with an open mind and heart, they only reception I get back is my only being able to IMAGINE what its like in the personal lives of these people that these reality show networks have made monsters of.
I tell you. The REALIST “reality” shows to my recollection was MTVs The Real World (beginning with through Puck/Kevin/Heather B through Tami Roman–down to the last “real” Real World being Aneesa’s/Brit/Irulan/Alton). That stuff was “real” and good!
After that (around 2003-when social media gates started opening), it seemed like all the fakeness began. People did reality shows with agendas centered around attention seeking and turning up to be notorious enough to land countless off-brand culturally targeted brand endorsements for the sake of now calling themselves “a brand.”
The last “real” reality show on VH1 was with Safari “Lip Chap” season, the Hoops and Tiffany Pollard/”New York.” I TOTALLY adored her. She was just as provactive, wild and foul mouthed as shows now…BUT she was charming and funny with it. Possibly because social media wasn’t so thick that she had any other agenda than what MySpace was affording her and VH1 enabled for her. Her mom was even annoyingly adorable and over the top but she wasn’t putting on for social media (like many reality show “stars” do today).
They start in with too much-too soon.
Since them (those few I named–their reality shows and episodes), the “feel” of “reality” shows is mad annoying: filled with a slush pile of pretentious, loud, assuming, obnoxious women (and men too) that’s so hard to watch (without your eyes blinking a 50-11 times trying to). And don’t think the shows like “Apprentice,” “Survivor,” “Big Brother” don’t have these types too-because they do. Those reality show have a stricter set of rules to follow: Survival of the fittest being how well they played with, or against each other (during social politicking/interacting).
P.S.
To see what I’m talking about (the naturalness of then v now), VH1 should take some time out to re-air some of those reality shows (with the people/segments that I spoke of)…you will CLEARLY see a stark-raving difference in how TRULY “real” they put out BEFORE social media and cheap-market unscripted TV became big money for these networks (and social media being responsible for pixeling their “personalities”).
These people on these reality shows are monsters. I couldn’t IMAGINE being friends with/in the personal lives of these rip-roaring synthetic narcissists artificially inseminated with social media serum-controlling your need to be “in control” (and seemingly on top of it all).
But it goes back to like I said in the beginning: I can appreciate a reality show being centered around people with purpose while following their daily lives and hustles. But respect for your hustle and grind gets lost in your wild histrionics, theatrics and drama. Geezel Peetes.
There’s a fine line between being insatiably ambitious and simply mean and vicious.
