Why the obsession with real-estate reality TV?
REPORT
7 Jan 2025
Why the obsession with real-estate reality TV?

From Sold on SLC to Million Dollar Listing, reality TV has us hooked on the drama of buying, selling, and transforming luxury homes. These shows dominate our screens, captivating viewers of all ages and sparking the question: why are we so obsessed with real-estate reality TV?

Eloise Skinner

Eloise Skinner is an author and psychotherapist with a specialism in existential therapy. She's also the founder of The Purpose Workshop and One Typical Day. Her work focuses on finding meaning, purpose, fulfilment, and value in everyday life, as well as topics such as AI, the future of work, climate anxiety, and related existential topics. Skinner sits on the youth board of the UK’s national social mobility charity and is an enterprise advisor for the Mayor of London’s education and careers strategy.

Helen Wood

Dr. Helen Wood, a professor of media and cultural studies at Aston University, England, has published widely on reality TV and popular culture. Her current research project, ‘ReCARETV,’ funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council, is looking into the intersection of reality television, working practices, and duties of care.

Contrecia T Tharpe

Dr Contrecia T Tharpe is the founder and CEO of FayeVaughn Creative, a creative brand agency. With over 15 years of experience in branding, marketing, communications, and public relations, she specialises in crafting strategies that drive engagement, build strong brand identities, and deliver measurable results. Dr. Tharpe has worked with startups, influencers, and Fortune 500 companies across diverse industries, delivering innovative solutions that elevate brands and foster meaningful connections.

Michele Theil

Michele Theil is a journalist covering climate, politics, lifestyle, social issues, and internet culture. She has written for VICE, Pink News, Glamour, The Stage, Insider, Digital Spy, BBC, and gal-dem, among other publications.