Reality shows create a modern sense of community through social media

In a world full of divided households, it is rare to find light-hearted discourse on social media. However, I think we can all agree that when we love Robert Irwin’s dance moves on Dancing with the Stars or how badly Pepe messed up with Iris on Love Island. 

Reality shows are a great American pastime. Watching grown men and women lose their minds over made-up challenges, a judge's unfair score or the elimination of our favorite cast members. Whatever you choose to fight for, there is an underlying sense of group mentality for whichever side you are on. 

Take Love Island, for example. Two summers in a row, it has taken social media by storm.

First, it was the PowerPuff Girls (PPG) on season six of Love Island. Serena, JaNa and Leah threw TikTok for a loop. With most of the internet on their side, they became the popular trio, and eventually, the popularity, combined with her chemistry with Kordell, led Serena to take home the win. 

But while the season was at its peak, there was discourse about the mean-girl mentality of PPG. And while I can’t say for sure if they were truly mean or just privy to internet trolls and their limitless screentime, it created a forum for debate. 

We don’t see much of this debate outside of reality shows. A type of discourse that allowed for strong points to be made, but also allowed a group of people to truly ride for PPG. Or this past summer, with season seven, there was a whole group rooting for Huda and a separate group praying for her demise. And yet, she made it all the way to the finale. In all fairness, she did not end up even remaining in the couple that got her there, but that is a testament to the strength of her fan base. 

These strong fanbases for reality shows unite people towards a common goal, a type of unity that we are very much lacking right now in the world. 

Take Dancing with the Stars for a spin now. People ride for their favorites, even if they may not be the very best. 

Andy Richter has made it to week six of the show, further than I ever believed he could, simply based on skills. It is all because of fans who continuously vote for him based on his charming persona and grandpa-like warmth.

The root of this shows how we want to root for the underdog, not only because it may be emotional to see someone so unexpected achieve a dream, but truly because deep down I think we all want someone to root for us, even at our lowest. 

Richter is not the first old man to go on Dancing with the Stars, and surely will not be the last. With the state of the economy, it is an easy check for celebrities on their way out. 

The moral of the story is that in times of polarization and division, something as frivolous as getting a whole community to root for an old man in a Ratatouille costume seems monumental. 

Reality shows may be what you put on in the background when you need to get work done, or the white noise that fills your head as you wait for the doctor to come get you, but take a step back and see how they can unite populations, and you realize they are so much more. 

With all the modern-day conflicts of the world, it is nice to know that we can all come together for at least one common goal.