Are people still into reality TV?

I remember when Survivor first premiered in 2000. It was a cultural phenomenon. People gathered around their TVs to watch the contestants battle the elements and each other. Friends and family had watch parties, and it seemed like everyone was talking about the show.

Now, it’s hard to find someone who can name the last three winners of American Idol, let alone the last winner. The decline in reality show viewership has been evident, but what about the people who still go on these shows, hoping to become rich and famous? Is it still a lucrative way to make a name for oneself or is it a risky gamble that could lead to humiliation and financial ruin? (Then again, if no one’s watching perhaps this is the best time to face public humiliation since nobody’s heard of you, anyway.)

First, let’s address the question of whether people are still watching reality shows. The answer is yes, but not to the same extent as they were in the early 2000s. Reality TV has become a staple of network and cable programming, but the viewership numbers have declined. In 2020, the top 10 reality shows averaged 5.8 million viewers, down from 7.2 million in 2019, according to Variety. This drop in viewership can be attributed to several factors, including the rise of streaming services and the proliferation of reality shows on various platforms.

However, the decline in viewership does not mean that people have stopped watching reality shows altogether. Many viewers still enjoy the drama, competition and entertainment that reality TV provides. The question is whether the contestants on these shows are still able to capitalize on their newfound fame and turn it into a lucrative career.

For some, the answer is yes. (It’s a small portion but it does happen.) The success stories of reality TV stars like Kim Kardashian, who parlayed a sex tape into Keeping Up with the Kardashians into beauty lines into a billion-dollar empire, are well-documented. But for every Kardashian, there are countless others who struggle to make a living after their 15 minutes of fame have faded.

One of the most significant challenges that reality show contestants face is the lack of a guaranteed income stream. Unlike traditional celebrities, who can rely on movie roles, endorsement deals, and other revenue sources, reality show contestants often find themselves without a safety net once their time in the spotlight is over.

In many cases, the winners of reality shows like American Idol, The Bachelor and Survivor have struggled to maintain their success and financial stability. Some have gone back to working regular jobs, while others have resorted to busking for money or living in their cars. This harsh reality is a stark reminder that winning a reality show does not guarantee long-term success or financial security.

This issue is not unique to reality show contestants. In recent years, we’ve seen a similar trend with social media “influencers” who have built their careers on content creation and brand partnerships. Many of these people believe that they can live off their online fame forever, without ever having to work a traditional job. However, as the market becomes increasingly saturated and brands become more selective about those with whom they work, many content creators are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet.

Not only that, eventually they run out of steam. Think about the best of the best TV shows: even with the most talented writers or the biggest actors, eventually they run out of storylines and have to come to an end. Ditto for a content creator. Unless you’re constantly upping your game, is your content keeping your audience hooked — for 20 or 30 more years? Probably not.

Why? Because someone newer, funnier, hotter, younger will come along and distract your viewer. (Sounds like how relationships go in the social media age, doesn’t it?)

Let me take this to an adult place for a moment. Someone who starts an OnlyFans page might quickly garner a subscriber base. Maybe they start out with tame content and gradually increase the level of naughtiness. Great. The audience will appreciate that and likely keep paying. But how long will they stick around? Unless they’re really, really, really into you, sometimes a subscriber is just a looky-loo who wanted to see your junk. And then maybe they wanted to see you get off. And then maybe they wanted to see you with someone. OK, you gave them that. Now what? You have to keep upping your game to keep them interested otherwise it’s, “Meh, I’ve seen this already. It’s the same thing over and over. Might as well unsubscribe.”

The lesson here is that no one is above working for someone else in the future. Whether you’re a reality show contestant, a social media “influencer” or a traditional celebrity, there is no guarantee that your current success will last forever. The key to long-term financial stability is to diversify your income streams, invest in your skills and education, and be prepared to adapt to changing market conditions.

While reality shows continue to be popular among viewers, the reality for contestants is often much different. Winning a reality show does not guarantee long-term success or financial security, and many contestants struggle to maintain their fame and income after their time in the spotlight has ended.

As for “influencers,” they, too, must be prepared to adapt and diversify their income streams, as the market for online content becomes increasingly competitive.

Ultimately, the lesson here is that no one is immune to the challenges of the job market, and it’s essential to be proactive in preparing for the future. Oh, and don’t ever think you’re too good to get a regular job because you were once a social media superstar. Be humble.