Shannon McBain
Blog #2
Stereotypes on Reality Dating Television
So called “reality dating” television shows such as
the Bachelor and the Bachelorette, encompass different and unique people
competing for one person’s love and affection. The people on these reality
television shows are single and essentially looking for love. The goal of these
dating shows is for either the bachelor or bachelorette, to find their “perfect
match” or lifelong partner. These contestants are from all different parts of
the United States, have different professions, and have their own unique hobbies
and interests. There have been many seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette.
In these reality dating shows, the person trying to find love out of a group of
individuals, gets to know the contestants by taking them on extravagant dates
in tropical or romantic destinations such as Europe and the Caribbean. After
the dates, the bachelor or bachelorette, hands a rose to the contestant they
felt they best connected with. After many rose ceremonies, contestants are sent
home. At the beginning of the season, more contestants are sent home. Nearing
the end of the season, it comes down to only one contestant being sent home.
When it is down to the final three, the contestants spend more quality “one on
one” time with the bachelor or bachelorette. At the end of thing long and at
times stressful process, a contestant is picked and more times than not,
proposed to in front of the runner up.
Have
you ever noticed though, that each season of the bachelor and bachelorette are
strangely similar? It seems to be that the women and men contestants
participating in these reality dating shows, possess specific and particular
stereotypical roles. On the Bachelor season’s, the women contestant competing
for the bachelor, all take on unique roles when living together in the house
provided by the show. There seems to always be the “mom” of the group. This
contestant usually is always helping the girls that seem to be struggling
emotionally with the selection and dating process. The “mom” of the group may
also come off as very independent and mature compared to the other girls.
Another stereotype that often appears on the Bachelor is the “catty” one. The “catty”
contestant seems to stir up trouble and confrontation within the group of
girls. The “catty” contestant often gossips and spreads false rumors to other
contestants and the bachelor himself. Another common contestant stereotype is
the “drunken” girl of the group. The “drunken” contestant usually drinks to
much wine and ends up acting profoundly immature, causing unnecessary arguments
and degrading remarks to the other contestants. This contestant is usually sent
home the day of this occurring, or the next rose ceremony. Another stereotype
that appears on these dating reality shows is the “air head”. The “air head” is
usually depicted as the dumb blonde stereotype. This stereotype is normally
making unintelligent remarks or is generally not considered a down to earth
type of person. Needless to say there are many different kinds of stereotypes
that often reappear on each season of the bachelor. Most of the stereotypes do
not make it to the final three, and are probably just there to spice of the
show to make it more interesting.
What
it basically comes down to is this, are these so called “reality dating”
television shows, really based of reality? Or are the scripted? Personally,
after watching many seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette, I have seen many
of the contestants are similar in each season. The stereotypes seem to reappear
in each season. A lot of it has to do with the viewer audiences. If the
Bachelor was strictly reality based, it would probably not be that entertaining.
The stereotypes mentioned above serve specific purposes in adding more of an
appeal to the audience to attract more viewers.
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