Why Embarrassing TLC Shows Actually Have a Grip On You
The reality shows we love to hate may carry benefits after all
As much as we don’t like to admit it, you’ve surely tuned in to a trashy TV show before. From the OG’s such as Jerry Springer and Maury, that for years dominated daytime programming. Known for their outlandish scenarios, these hosts poke a stick at messy real-life situations. Covering topics previously considered inappropriate from television, such as paternity testing or cheating scandals. As viewership increased, they seemed to take it up a notch with each season that aired. This kept us on our feet and tuned in, (most often on sick days in bed). Although seasons have concluded, YouTube clips will remain notorious and excerpts from the show in GIF form live on to this day.
However, there’s no shortage of similar programming. It seems that our latest obsessions have fixated on a specific channel — TLC. A network that originally stood for “The Learning Channel” and began in 1980, it focused on educational topics including shows for preschoolers and dinosaur documentaries. A far cry from today’s lineup which includes Seeking Sister Wife, I Love a Mama’s Boy, My 600-lb. Life, and the empire of 90-Day Fiancé (totaling 22 spinoffs). When we as a nation collectively declared our love for reality TV, we kept demand for these…
