By definition, reality TV is essentially unscripted programming that doesn't employ actors and focuses on footage of real events or situations. Reality shows also often use a host to run the show or a narrator to tell the story or set the stage of events that are about to unfold.

Nearly four in ten people watch some form of reality TV. 34% of Australians who watch reality TV lie about it. 14% of adult males compared their life to the life of a reality TV star. 27% of Americans aged 18 to 29 felt inspired by a reality TV celebrity. The key demographic for reality TV shows are women aged between 18 and 34.

A 2017 study found that a fifth of all primetime TV programmes in the US were reality shows – second only to drama. Its influence on wider culture is undeniable, from the ascension of reality stars to the status of A-list celebrities, like Paris Hilton and the Kardashians – and even, in the case of Donald Trump, to president of the United States.

In 2013, 78% of U.S. households watched reality TV shows. Women make up 60% of the reality TV audience. The median age of reality TV viewers is 42 years old. Women make up 63% of the contestants on reality TV shows. Men are more likely to be portrayed as experts and authority figures on reality TV shows.

People are often drawn to reality TV because they enjoy the drama and relate to difficult decision-making. The theme of self-interest vs. self-sacrifice runs through many reality shows. Reality shows often lead people to reflect on what they might do in a similar situation, which can be a good exercise in values exploration.