20 underrated reality show gems you should be watching
By Sundi Rose
Bachelor in Paradise
The premise: Cast offs from regular seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelorette reconvene on a tropical island, get drunk and try to hook up. ABC dumps these young(ish) singles in a resort in Mexico, pour drinks down their throat, and orchestrate elaborate dates to help facilitate relationships.The ultimate goal is to leave the island as one part of a couple, but more contestants constantly arrive to provide sexual tension and unadulterated temptation.
Why you’ll love it: It’s complete trash and is totally un-self conscious about what it is. Unlike its parent series, Bachelor in Paradise doesn’t attempt sincerity when it comes to love and commitment. Before they can even get their coverups off and another drink in hand, they’re trolling for potential hookups.
These folks are so thirsty and they know we’re laughing at their desperation. They just don’t care. The whole show is like one big meta joke on the entire reality dating show genre, taking it’s most distasteful elements and really, really playing them up. It’s often a parody of itself, and it’s such an insane guilty pleasure that I don’t even barely feel guilty about it.
I will admit, in all the hormone and booze-fueled debauchery, a few couples have actually found love and went on to get married and have babies. It seems true love can thrive despite the dangerous mix of alcohol, jealousy, sun, and Chris Harrison’s interference.
How to watch: Past seasons are on Amazon, but ABC routinely offers a new season in late summer.