This didn’t occur thirty years ago when “reality tv” was in its infancy. The actual reality is well known and abundantly clear now.

This was well understood 20 years ago.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chart_Throb

Reality television has always been manipulated for the most draaaama otherwise it’s just hours of people sitting around.

For a bit of an experiment, try watching it with the sound off and just subtitles. The music and staging absolutely are used to control the narrative to paint whoever they want as Public Enemy #1.

I guess in that sense reality television accurately portrays modern media.