the parasocial behavior is ruining the show
prefacing with this IS NOT the only thing ruining the show.
but this is the first reality tv series i’ve watched where people seem GENUINELY scared to voice their unadulterated opinion. and i think the only good explanation is because of how parasocial some people got last season. i truly believe that various cast members saw how janet was treated and spoken to by fans and are now tiptoeing around specifically the danny and nia drama.
i’m all for saying and sharing opinions on reddit…. but the way people went out of their way to harass her via social media and the terrible things people said TO her is truly awful. no one should be treated that way as a result of reality tv, specifically non abusers.
brittney seemed [one, actually offended zack said this, but two] legit scared that he said she’s talked shit about nia, presumably because she and other cast members are scared of being harassed by the angry mob.
i already feared the golden era of reality tv is behind us.. but i think viewers are sealing the fate of reality tv by being parasocial as fk to these people and taking their opinions so seriously to turn that into online hate (in a manner that’s completely directed to said person bc again i think sharing your opinion via reddit is one thing)