Reality dating shows used to focus on singles trying to find love, but now the romance seems to be clouded by a new selling point and often at the expense of authenticity
Dating shows have traditionally been about finding ‘true love,’ but in today’s world of reality TV, the main goal seems to have shifted towards finding the hottest couple or ranking the most attractive contestants.
Alex Cooper, the creator and host of the popular YouTube podcast series Call Her Daddy, will be producing a new dating series for Hulu, titled Overboard To Love. According to Variety, the show’s tagline states: “Step aboard the ultimate luxury yacht, where sexy singles are ready to mix and mingle… and find love.”
Even though the news of a new reality dating show is exciting, it’s hard to miss that, in today’s TV culture, these shows often overlook genuine connections. It also sets unrealistic expectations for real-world dating. Rather than focusing on creating real emotional bonds, they prioritise physical attraction – something that doesn’t always lead to meaningful or lasting relationships.
Although there have been some improvements over the years, such as contestants looking to find life-partners and wanting to know someone beyond their looks. There has also been more diversity amongst the contestants, where viewers have seen different types of nationalities.
Nonetheless, there’s still a lack of diversity in terms of body types, other ethnicities and backgrounds, as voiced by viewers. The eight season of Love Is Blind sparked a mixture of reactions, where viewers expressed their disappointment over the lack of diversity in the cast.
One user took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and said: “Love is Blind is so funny cause it’s supposed to be a social experiment about love & physical appearance yet they always cast conventionally attractive people. No disabled people, no trans people, nothing just cishet, thin, mostly white people.”
Another used said about Singles Inferno’s second season: “New Singles Inferno. More unrealistic expectations to build on my a gloomy dating life. Lets goooo.”
This limited representation creates a narrow view of what love, relationships, and beauty can be, leaving younger audiences feeling marginalised if they don’t see themselves represented. This can contribute to feelings of inadequacy or a sense of not being ‘good enough’ in the eyes of mainstream media.
Love Island, for example, which offers a cash prize to successful couples. This adds complexity to the idea of genuine romance, especially for younger viewers. When a couple’s relationship is motivated by the pursuit of money rather than true emotional connection, it can distort what real love looks like.
Although these shows often claim to be platforms for finding true love, the financial reward creates an unrealistic narrative, implying that relationships can thrive on temporary attraction and competition instead of trust and compatibility.
Many couples formed on these shows struggle to maintain their relationships outside of the cameras. This gap between on-screen romance and real-life outcomes can lead younger audiences to believe that relationships should be fast-paced, driven by external rewards, and ultimately short-lived.
Additionally, these shows rarely focus on qualities such as communication, emotional maturity, or shared values, which are key components of real-world relationships. Instead, they promote a competitive atmosphere where contestants are often expected to form emotional connections in fast-paced and forced scenarios, leading young viewers to think that’s what it takes to build a genuine connection.
Ordinary dating contrasts with reality dating shows. Relationships form through shared experiences and communication, not under the pressure of competition or financial incentives. In everyday dating, couples take time to get to know each other, navigating real-life challenges together.
Unlike shows where contestants live in controlled environments with external rewards, ordinary dating happens in everyday contexts, balancing personal responsibilities. Relationships grow naturally, with emotional maturity, mutual respect, and shared values taking precedence over quick physical attraction or external validation. Ultimately, ordinary dating reflects the complexities of real, lasting love.
From Love Island to the new Overboard To Love series, and the many other dating shows – these undoubtedly provide entertainment, but at the cost of promoting unrealistic ideals about beauty, romance, and relationships.
For younger viewers, it’s important for them to approach these shows with a critical eye and to understand that love is not just about physical attraction or drama, but about deeper emotional connections that develop over time.
