Since about middle school, I have been a big fan of any reality shows from The Bachelor Franchise including The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, and Bachelor Winter Games. Now I wouldn’t classify myself as a crazy fan that hosts bachelor themed watch parties or participates in a fantasy league as some do, but I am not opposed to setting aside two hours on my Monday nights to catch up on the latest drama, romance, comedy, and suspense that one episode of The Bachelor provides. I know that some of the content in these shows is scripted or filmed and cut in ways that make for good TV, but I do truly believe that for some people, this show actually works and leads to successful, lasting relationships, although those are few and far between. The romance, though some may say is staged, is what initially drew me to these shows. The spectacular dates and exotic places the contestants get to go to add an element of surprise and grandeur to the show. Of course, every season there is a villain character who you just have to tune in and watch and see what they’ll do that night, whether it be picking a fight with someone, getting too drunk at the cocktail party, or getting the dreaded two on one date with their archnemesis in the house. Every few episodes Chris Harrison throws in a to be continued episode that ends with a dramatic cliffhanger and leaves you waiting at the edge of your seat until next Monday to find out what happened. Bachelor in Paradise and Bachelor Winter Games follow the same formula of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette of gathering good looking people all in one place, taking away all contact to the outside world, and filming them form relationships with each other and hand out roses at the end of each week, with the added bonus of a Mexican beach location or Olympic themed events to compete in. These Bachelor spin offs only add to the Bachelor Nation phenomenon and keep fans engaged with The Bachelor Franchise during the off season when they aren’t airing their primary shows, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

 

After watching my first ever episode of Hell’s Kitchen, I see why people like watching Gordon Ramsay shows. Hell’s Kitchen is a culinary bootcamp where the competitors live and work in one of Gordon’s kitchens for two weeks and compete in various grueling challenges to gain Gordon’s approval and the chance of becoming America’s next culinary star. The cast members are compelling because there are those you root for and want to succeed and others that you can’t wait to be eliminated. When your favorite competitor finally gets praised by Gordon Ramsay, you almost feel proud of them, and the same goes for when one of the competitors you don’t like is insulted by Gordon and you feel a sense of satisfaction. The main focus of the show is ultimately a cooking competition with added competitor drama and interesting challenges, prizes, and punishments for the loosing teams. Since the series is unscripted, it balances the predictability of the general layout of each episode of having various challenges followed by a prize for the winning team and punishment for the loosing team, concluded with dinner service performed by each team and elimination each night, with the surprise of Gordon Ramsay’s uncensored language and what insults will be hurled at the competitors that night. It reinforces the norms of a cooking competition where there is ultimately one winner at the end, but violates the taboo of insulting someone for their weight, mistakes, or idiotic behavior. The conflicts and behaviors on this show don’t necessarily provide social commentary on situations young people may find themselves in, but do show the typical behaviors that occur in a stressful situation or environment and how different people react to stressors in their life.