I recently finished all of Laguna Beach (2004-2006) and most of The Hills (2006-2010) on MTV, and since I’ve taken to writing about reality shows, I thought I’d offer my commentary on these moments in time.
Wow, I think Thomas Rogers pretty much nails it on the head as to why I dislike how most contemporary romance heroines are written. Or how people in general want female characters to act.
I couldn't watch Laguna Beach or the Hills because it felt too slow compared to other reality tv. I forgot that Laguna Beach had teen cast members and now I know, without question, that it wouldn't be OK in this day and age.
I completely agree with you on the romance heroines! It's so real that women with agency are so demonized, and I really think it's gotten worse than it was even in the early 2000s, and like I've said before, the 2016 election was absolutely an inflection point because more than anything, it was a punishment towards women for daring to think that they're smart and capable. Also, yeah, as an adult, it's kind of horrifying how free flowing the drugs and alcohol were on Laguna Beach in particular. Obviously kids will experiment on their own time, especially when college age, but the adult showrunners plying underage kids with drugs and alcohol so that they would create a spectacle on national television feels so sleazy and it definitely would not fly today
Wow, I think Thomas Rogers pretty much nails it on the head as to why I dislike how most contemporary romance heroines are written. Or how people in general want female characters to act.
I couldn't watch Laguna Beach or the Hills because it felt too slow compared to other reality tv. I forgot that Laguna Beach had teen cast members and now I know, without question, that it wouldn't be OK in this day and age.
I completely agree with you on the romance heroines! It's so real that women with agency are so demonized, and I really think it's gotten worse than it was even in the early 2000s, and like I've said before, the 2016 election was absolutely an inflection point because more than anything, it was a punishment towards women for daring to think that they're smart and capable. Also, yeah, as an adult, it's kind of horrifying how free flowing the drugs and alcohol were on Laguna Beach in particular. Obviously kids will experiment on their own time, especially when college age, but the adult showrunners plying underage kids with drugs and alcohol so that they would create a spectacle on national television feels so sleazy and it definitely would not fly today