Loved the series on reality TV, but the true crime episodes are a real disappointment. There are some good moments, but instead of getting serious opinions from psychologists, television critics and other experts they spend an inordinate amount of their time taking to each other (“I spoke with my producer…” seems to be a regular feature) about the content rather than the attraction of true crime in pop culture. I hope their next series gets back on track.

I wanted to love this but god the hosts voice is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO annoying. Can’t do it. “MER-DERE” ugh.

miss me with the subscription episodes. the nickel & dime approach to these shows is wild to me. put episodes up in patreon that aren’t free releases. annoying.

Host narrates like a fourth grader reading surface level research paper that they’re really proud of. Couldn’t listen to more than 30 minutes.

I’m late to the game here and only two episodes in to season 1 but whoa!!! This show is AMAZING! I've always been a snob about reality TV and have ignored it for most of my life but recently had some major insights about how profound FBOY Island is (legit). Which primed me for this show… I have to accomplished that by ignoring reality TV, I’ve been ignoring reality. And this podcast blew my mind even more than my recent foray into the salacious wonder of FBOY Island. From a historical perspective, I had no idea it all started in the 70s. And how profound Real World was. I watched a few episodes in my teens but basically missed it. And Spectacle breaks it down. Super fascinating journalism and insight into human behavior, culture, and recent history. Plus, as a human, the mirror inevitably turns on me. And what compels me…definitely obsessed.

This podcast is like a Cliff Notes that offers diehards on these topics nothing of substance, and the newbies to these worlds nothing engaging to dig into. Merely benign, half-correct summaries with weak ‘takes’ that display the show productions’ lack of genuine interest in the material.

Have you ever considered looking into TV series that aired in the 70’s? I started watching the original Fantasy Island series on TUBI and it’s amazing to me to see all of the cultural changes made as the seasons progress. Watch the opening scenes and watch how the hula dancers are changed. Not to mention the Island band where a few members end up wearing up Afros. What was going on in the tropical islands in the 70’s?

The above says it all.

Berkowitz and Manson were my true crime gateway. But then the heinous murder of Adam Walsh changed my focus from fascinated rubber necker to a person determined to NOT become a victim. I grew up in the 80s … when they started fingerprinting kids. Eventually I became disgusted with the genre, and was also kind of worried about myself. But then came Mariah’s new Spectacle. This podcast is an intelligent unpacking of why I previously chose Dateline and not Calm as my go to on sleepless nights. It is a relief to know that I am not alone!

The podcast is interesting, but for researched podcast, there are basic facts that are wrong. The Thing about Pam was on NBC/ Peacock - not Hulu. Motive for Murder is not Lori Vallow (that’s Mommy Doomsday)

I love this podcast. Highly recommend for all true crime fanatics. The commentary is witty and smart and the episodes are easy to follow. That guy who left a comment regarding the producer’s voice sounds like a real peach.

Love the show and how well put together it is. Also love that you guys support Amber Heard and aren’t afraid to say it!

loving this podcast I just found! Btw, it’s pronounced hole-come for Holcomb KS🤓

I love this show! I learn so much and have so much fun listening to it! The host and the producer have such great chemistry. I could listen to them for hours. Someone needs to get them a talk show! James Corden just announced his retirement. They could replace him!

Overall, all three seasons are good. Brent Holmes, the main host of Season 2, is exemplary but unfortunately his female producer falls far short. I’d strongly advise skipping episode 2 of season 2. Two “Valley girls” and their annoying nails-on-chalkboard voices make the episode intolerable. She participates in most bonus episodes and is painful to listen to, particularly when every other word is “umm” and “like.” Are you in middle school? It’s unbearable and I skip ahead to the next episode as soon as I hear her voice. She’s incredibly unprofessional and her obnoxious voice and mannerisms ruin an otherwise great show.

I’ve been binging season 1 and it’s such a smart and interesting look at reality TV. Can’t wait to dive into the other seasons!

In this episode a talking head (can’t remember the name) but NOT Mariah said that the Central Park 5 were convicted of rape and murder. The CP5 were NOT convicted of murder! The case was the rape and violent assault of a white woman named Trisha Meili and, as mentioned, the 5 were eventually exonerated and Matias Reyes was convicted of the crime. Otherwise, loving it thus far! AMAZING and INTRIGUING TOPIC!

Loved season 1, fun and great energy !! Season 2 was good, very informational and good interviews. The episode regarding the Westside, segregation, and racism was brilliant, poignant, and moving. BUT... Season 2 episode 12 was a huge disappointment. Current politics and random comments regarding racial injustice made no sense being inserted into the stories of a woman robbing a casino and also the Binon family legacy??? It came across as incoherent drivel. Just because you have a hammer, not everything is a nail If the intention was to alienate listeners, I believe they have succeeded. While the podcast was good it's not good enough for me to be beaten over the head with someone else's political positions. Sorry but I won't be listening to future episodes

Season 1 didn’t really interest me too much but season 2 on Las Vegas has been one of my favorite podcasts of the year. Entertaining, informative, well researched, with compelling interviews. So sad to see it come to a close but grateful to Brent Holmes and the Neon Hum team on an excellent season.

Interesting mini stories about Las Vegas!

The thoughtfulness and depth of narration behind telling the story of Las Vegas not only makes me feel proud to be from such a place, but it…makes me want to move back. 💙

Aaa

In season two, the host is just really bad. Episode 3 is the best example. It had no purpose. 50% (not kidding”) was him delivering long sermons / arguments against ideas he disliked, mainly that people glorify the mob in LV and that’s really bad - probably literally 30% was him specifically telling us why the movie Casino is immoral. But it not a documentary with a point of view. Because they also throw in random people with some totally different arguments that have no relation to anything else in the episode. So it’s not a documentary where you learn anything about Vegas. But worse, it’s not fun. The host honestly is just awkward and unintelligent. When he’s debating (against no one really) his arguments are what a 5th grader would come up e with. And when he’s trying to be funny it’s just really weird and awkward. I feel bad saying that, but it’s really just true.

Diaz dash four an awesome

The whole show is about his family not Vegas

Lots of racial commentary and constantly harping on it. Wish it. Otherwise interesting. (The voice is irritating!!!!)

It’s a shame the pod asters chose to emphasize race above most other social dynamics inherent in reality TV. Race in reality tv is a huge issue and worthy of its own podcast. But this was not billed as such a study. One example: talking about how the (well, 2) White tribe members on Survivor went back to the White tribe when given the chance. Would this season’s Black cast members be similarly criticized for forming an alliance based solely on their race? Additionally, it belies a lack of understanding of the show to simplify the White members’ decision. Alliances are formed every season based almost solely on how a contestant can get further in the game. Are there inherent biases that mimic real life? Absolutely. But that’s one part of the analysis, not the amount spotlighted on this show. The host never delved into the fact that alliances weren’t initially baked into the game (I believe there weren’t even 2 tribes); it was something that formed organically, on which the show and future contestants capitalized. This speaks to the tribalism and survival instincts within us all, having nothing to do with race, which would have been fascinating to explore but was ignored in favor of calling out two (out of many other) White cast mates who may have made a decision that, conscious or not, factored in race. We don’t know that for sure, but the host’s bias sure presented it as fact. She should do a podcast devoted solely to this topic and/or be clearer about the focus of this one.

I love Mariah! I loved her exploration! I’d love her to do more, maybe more reality game shows like America’s Next Too Model and Drag Race (pleaseeee do Drag Race). Also, I wish the episodes were longer because the context is so fascinating and how it is related to American culture as a whole.

I liked this podcast, but the conversation about Terrace House was pretty inappropriate & honestly offensive given how tragically that show ended.

Loved this series, would love to hear more… maybe Wife Swap?!?

The episode of An American Family and the first Kardashian episode are switched! Very sad when I downloaded only the Kardashian season to listen to and I missed the entire first episode :(

I was hooked from episode one. Mariah does a great job as the host, she brings you into each episode with her enthusiasm and knowledge. I enjoyed the people she brought in for the back stories and a deeper dive into the psychology and social sciences of the shows. I watched the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guys and the first Survivor and RHOC shows. After listening to the Survivor episode my son and I watched season 13 of Survivor!

But can’t stand the Kardashian vibe vocal fry

I love this podcast so glad I randomly found it! Can’t wait for new episodes 💘

This podcast is riveting. Totally smart and fun.

PLEASE DO ANOTHER SEASON! Talk about Love Island UK!!!!!! We want your brilliant commentary!

So interesting! I want more & longer episodes!!! At least 2 a week 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 What happened?? When are there new episodes???

Just started listening to this podcast, but definitely a fave and hooked. Covers all the things that I’ve watched and love. Work from home and makes day go fast and brings some laughs.

This podcast is so fun and informative!! Mariah is the best!!

This is a great show and the perfect antidote to the stressful news cycle. We’ve lived through this massive shift in TV history without treating it as a serious subject for inquiry. This show, with its incredible host, strikes exactly the right balance between scholarship and gossip. Thank you. I even enjoy the ads :-) Keep it up!

I wanted to like this show. I listened to four or five episodes and I found they’re just summaries of the topic show with commentary peppered in. The host does occasionally make some really good points, but mostly she just makes surface-level observations. The team is clearly bright and talented, I hope that with time they’ll go deeper.

It’s all the reality I’ve watched but didn’t know the back stories. So interesting to think about how much it’s effected our culture, highly recommend!

Such a great show!! Just waiting for a jersey shore ep 👀👀

Overall, this show is well-researched and well-presented. There’s a good mix of historical research, academic commentary, personal reactions, and insights from people involved in the show. I like Mariah, she’s funny though sometimes a little corny, and she clearly is enthusiastic about the subject. If a show you love has been covered, you might enjoy hearing more about the background and the coverage is always a mix of positive and critical. I also enjoyed the episodes where I didn’t know much about the show (like I know now I will never watch The Bachelor, no offense to those who do.) The episodes about older shows were much more interesting to me; it’s better coverage to have some distance. But the show spoiled a lot of its goodwill for me in the last ten minutes: I’m horrified at the final brief discussion of Terrace House which presented it as calming, boring (in a good way), and the potential future of reality TV without bringing up the suicide of housemate Hana Kimura last May after incidents on the show led to her being cyberbullied violently for months. This was a major incident and led to the cancellation of that season with the future of the franchise in question. I don’t like to leave reviews with complaints, usually I like to only say positive things, but I think this shows a shocking lack of research or empathy (I hope the former) on the part of the show and should be addressed by production with a correction or apology. For me, it also calls into question the thoroughness of the research for other episodes—did they not cover something similarly franchise-destroying? or maybe non-American shows just don’t get the same amount of attention? I am looking forward to next season anyway.

The host is incredible and I love love love every epp!

I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I have been dragging my feet about listening to podcasts. But I am so glad to got over my concerns about content overload. This podcast is NPR quality (in my mind the gold standard!) - Mariah Smith is an amazing host! She is amazingly able to capture the deeper impact of reality television on our entire culture. Her balance of humor and intelligence is perfect! Long live this podcast!

Reading through the reviews I couldn’t imagine why people would give this show a late rating. After reading and seeing people hating on the host’s voice??!! F*** those HATERS! I LOVE MARIAH’S VOICE! I wouldn’t want anyone else hosting this show! She is fantastic! I love what she brings to the show and with her voice she often gives the reality TV shows in question a verbal side-eye. She adds nuance in her storytelling that cannot be replaced! ALL THE STARS!!!

Love this podcast!!! Every episode brings a thoughtful discussion on what reality tv says about our current/past culture. I love the more serious and thoughtful discussion on tv that doesn’t usually require a thoughtful watch. I hope for another season, and if not, I look forward to what you do next! Please keep making podcasts!!!

I Look forward to listening to this podcast every week! I adore your insight and would LOVE for you to cover Big Brother, Drag Race, NEXT. I hope you keep up with this, it’s so so so good :)

Love the show! Love reality tv. Easy listen during a drive which is a perfect way to unwind after work. I have some requests: All the trashy mtv and vh1 dating shows: rock of love, flavor of love, Tila tequila, etc 60 days in Rupauls drag race America’s next top model