https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTV_Y5b72Hk UnReal is essentially a show based on the behind the scene action of a dating show very much like The Bachelor. It is dramatic, well scripted and at times confronting.
We’ve all been addicted to the drama that is The Bachelor, Joe Millionaire, There’s something about Miriam, etc, at one point or another. But what we’ve often failed to compute is how the producers go about getting the catty sound bites, or how they manage to find the right combination of crazy for the show.
This show gives you a behind the scene glimpse on the workings of such a production. The characters are detailed, troubled and often, evil. They prey on the suffering of others, as it is only through tantrums, rants and fights that ratings are boosted.
Shiri Appleby (from Rosewell, or the girl from the It’s my life film clip) is the standout of this show right now, as Rachel. A deeply troubled young woman whose job is to coach the contestants along, ensuring they behave in formulaic ways to ensure that the show gets its ratings.
I look forward to what this show has to offer in its first season. The producers of this dating show “Everlasting” are human scum, they prey on the weak and desperate. Deliberately pushing them down rabbit holes which they would normally avoid.
It does make you wonder though on the validity of the contestants on reality dating show. In truth, it doesn’t surprise me all that much, after all, the contestants are always psychologically profiled, to ensure maximum entertainment.
How many of them actually fit into the crazy category is anyone’s guess. Upon reflection, quite a few. You always have multiple villains, often making it to at least the top 5. The “wifey” is always white. There is brilliant line uttered by Quinn (Constance Zimmer), the producer of the show which initially offended me, then, I thought about it, and it’s reality television truth: “It is not my fault that America is racist people.”
This was said in reference to the first girl out of the literal carriage. She is black, and that is just not on for Quinn. The first girl is always wife material, and she’s always white. Reality slap in the face there.
I want to see what happens to these contestants, some of whom are there to truly find love, others are there to find fame. And the bachelor himself, well, he’s hardly likeable at all. Sometimes, even the hero is a villain, he’s just suited up and edited out to not seem so douchebaggy.
The very real torture that Rachel endures as she’s forced to do her job, as the best pusher in the reality business, she is torn and guilt ridden. She hates what she does, despises the people that she works for. But they have her by the balls, and she must continue on this journey with them, making entertainment out of people’s misery.
I want to see some of these people get their comeuppance, and Rachel redeem herself. Reality television, what a horrible world to live in.
Rating: 7/10, it’s well shot, enlightening and has a great premise. It’s reality TV without the bad dialogue and stupid stiff awkward acting.
See it again: Yes, I will be tuning in to see what happens to these behind the scene characters as well as the ‘contestants’ on the fake dating show.
Worth my time: Yes and no. I don’t feel that I’ll be learning anything new, but it’s such a great soap opera. It’s the new Revenge of this season. With a pilot this strong, this show has promise.
Take my mother: Hell yeah, it’s like giant big trashy magazine with heart, drama, conflict and back stabbing to the max.
Talking points: You’ll be referring to the various reality show contestants you’ve hated in the past and wondering how much of what they did was goaded and how much was them. And you’ll never look at another dating show the same again. After all, the stats say it all, you’re highly unlikely to find ever lasting love on a reality TV show. But, we want to keep believing that its possible.
Annoyance factor: 1/10, at how gullible I’ve been thinking that reality TV isn’t being scripted by the show’s producers, thinking that the contestants put themselves into those positions. I guess it’s all about being placed at the right position with the right information and buttons pushed for good TV.
Ranter & Banter 