"Love"...In "Reality"

Reality television has seen phenomenal success in recent decades, which reflects structural changes in society that have enabled the success of such a genre. The obvious influences stem from pure technological advances, which have accompanied and caused the shift into an increasingly individualised society structured around consumerism (Lyon, 1988; Giddens, 1991; Cartmel, 2007). These developments have created a space and an audience accepting of such programmes, especially in the narrower definition of romantic reality T.V. that have allowed such a style to flourish. This is essentially due to one of the most defining features of a late modern society that displays elements of a reflexive, liquid life we inhabit today. Not only have these complex changes facilitated these shows to run popularly, they would in fact not exist without key the key developments of society.