Project Description
This paper examines the economic structure that defines American reality television and argues that participant exploitation is built into the genre’s design. Through a review of production costs, legal practices, casting and on-set tactics, and post-show consequences, the research showed how networks have profited from a low-waged workforce while shifting physical, psychological, and reputational risk onto participants. Case studies across major franchises also revealed a consistent pattern in which vulnerability has become a source of value for producers without meaningful safeguards. The findings demonstrated that these harms were systemic rather than accidental and that the current model functioned through the absence of regulation. The study ultimately contends that meaningful labor protections and industry oversight are necessary to address the conditions that make exploitation possible.
Name of Student
Amanda Rodriguez
Program
Media Management
