Curse of Reality Television

Reality TV Stars and the Pattern of Relationship Demise

May 3, 2009 Shadia Ismail

When people sign up for a reality show documenting their most personal moments, do they really know what's at stake?

Reality television dominates the airwaves giving us access to the personal lives of celebrities as well as making big stars out of ordinary people. But in the last few years, the success of reality television has been somewhat of a double edged sword as it led to the demise of the very couples who signed up to let viewers into their once private world.

The latest victim of the reality show curse is Jon Gosselin of TLC's hit reality show, “Jon and Kate Plus Eight”. Jon and his wife Kate are the parents of two sets of multiples - twin girls and sextuplets. Their reality show debuted two years ago so as to allow viewers into their home and watch their daily life of raising eight kids. And it has made celebrities out of the whole family.

As with most celebrities their lives are no longer their own. And the Gosselin’s are no exception. Jon has become the subject of tabloid magazines like Us Weekly as rumours of infidelity have swirled around him, making the public question whether his marriage will last.

Reality shows have chronicled the rise and fall of some of the most popular celebrities.

Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica

“Newlyweds”debuted on MTV in 2003 giving audiences’ full access into the private lives of pop superstars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. The show was a hit with fans who watched the pair struggle to keep the balance between their competing careers and marriage. Lachey was part of ‘90s pop group 98 Degrees fame and Simpson, a singer and actress. For a while, they seemed like the perfect celebrity couple until they announced their divorce in 2006.

‘Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave

Actress/model Carmen Electra and fiancé, rock star Dave Navarro starred in a short-lived reality show that debuted in 2004 on MTV. ‘Til Death Do Us Part” documented the couples every move as they prepared for what was to be the most important day of their lives – their wedding. Much like their reality show, Electra and Navarro’s marriage was short-lived as the couple announced their split in 2006.

Hogan Knows Best

On July 10th, 2005 Hogan Knows Best debuted on VH1. The reality show chronicled the life of professional wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan and his family. Hulk along with his wife Linda, go through the trials and tribulations of raising daughter Brooke, an aspiring singer and son Nick, an aspiring race car driver, all while trying to maintain a traditional family unit. The show was cancelled in 2007 due to the separation of Hulk and Linda, which ultimately led to a very public and bitter divorce.

The popularity of reality television has given us a different kind of celebrity. Cameras have given the public unprecedented access into the personal lives of public figures and have made public figures out of private citizens. But allowing access into their lives the stars of reality television become easy targets for the publics’ ridicule, which could ultimately lead to relationship breakdown.

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The Popularity of Reality TV Dominates Airwaves