Is this the end of reality TV?

The reality television industry faces a reckoning regarding the ethics of casting individuals with histories of volatile behavior, specifically following the cancellation of a new season of *The Bachelorette* featuring Taylor Frankie Paul. New York Magazine features writer Rebecca Jennings examines how networks leverage the "messy" public personas of influencers to drive ratings, often ignoring documented legal issues and domestic violence allegations until they become public liabilities. This practice highlights a widening gap between outdated production vetting processes and modern audience expectations, which increasingly demand accountability and reject toxic dynamics. While viewers often seek out high-conflict content for catharsis or to identify personal red flags, the industry’s reliance on "dark" drama raises critical questions about the exploitation of both the participants and the audience in an era where social media provides a permanent, searchable record of past conduct.