Despite the setbacks ofDouble occupation, the year 2022 smiled on romantic reality shows. And it’s far from over. The trend could even accelerate in 2023.
” The dating showsthat’s what we develop the most, reveals Julie Normandin, director of development, entertainment and documentary, at Attraction Images, the production company behind Love is in the meadow. The demand is very strong. The appetite is great and growing. »
Same story with Virginia Mouseler, president of the research office The Wit, which analyzes global television trends. In an interview, she confirms that it is a genre “still very active”.
PHOTO BERTRAND EXERTIER, PROVIDED BY BELL MEDIA
The candidates ofOD Martinique
Signs do not lie. In Quebec, dating shows abound. Outraged OD Martiniquewhich did not emerge unscathed from a bullying controversy this fall, there are Love is in the meadow (which returns in January on Noovo), 5 guys for me (a second season is in the works at TVA), If we loved each other (TVA has ordered two other editions) and the island of love (TVA plans to air the third season in the spring).
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TVA
5 guys for me
We can also mention two new features expected in a few months: What if it was you?, an offering of AMI-tele reserved for people with disabilities, and How much do you love me ?a daily news from Noovo hosted by Martin Vachon in which couples will try to show how solid their union is.
And that’s without counting Migratory hearts, Butt Couples and all other documentary series that focus on intimate relationships.
In the USA, The Bachelor and all its variations continue to be enjoyed by millions of viewers on ABC. And Netflix continues to offer productions like love is blind (Instant weddings), The Ultimatum (Ultimatum), Sexy Beasts (dream creatures) and Too Hot to Handle (High Voltage Seduction), which systematically appear in the top 10 most-watched titles from the video-on-demand service.
PHOTO TOM DYMOND, PROVIDED BY NETFLIX
Too Hot to Handle (High Voltage Seduction) on Netflix
Happiness is in the couple
Several factors explain our obviously insatiable thirst for romantic reality shows. According to Stéfany Boisvert, professor at the School of Media at the University of Quebec in Montreal, ambient romanticism plays an important role. “It’s at the heart of our culture. Within the widely conveyed normative discourses, we find the discourse that postulates that finding love is central to the feeling of existential fulfillment. »
In our society, being in a couple is perceived as a condition sine qua non to happiness. This is a vision that circulates widely. So this is a concern for many people. That explains the fascination.
Stéfany Boisvert, professor at the School of Media at the University of Quebec in Montreal
Dating shows would also fill our “need for comparison,” says Stéfany Boisvert. With the pressure to “find a soul mate” still going strong, viewers want to know “how things are going on other people’s side”.
“It’s not voyeurism; it’s a curiosity, says the professor. We want to see how courtship goes, the first date, etc. These are times to which Mr. and Mrs. Everybody usually have very little access. »
Pandemic factor
The irresistible rise of love shows in the post-lockdown era is no accident. At least that’s what Maude Sabbagh, director oflimitless love, a Canal Vie documentary series that examines the love lives of people with disabilities. “The pandemic has probably contributed to the feeling of closure on the other. More than ever, I think we need to get in touch,” observes the documentary filmmaker.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Director Maude Sabbagh
Supporting evidence: the filming oflimitless love “did a lot of good” to Maude Sabbagh. Therefore, she believes that watching the episodes should have a similar effect on the audience.
We are in a hollow period, a dark period. It’s good to see people loving each other on TV. This may be a reaction to widespread cynicism.
Documentary filmmaker Maude Sabbagh
Towards more “authenticity”?
Of course, this escalation of love reality shows cannot last forever. Some will bite the dust faster than others, like Boy Islandan HBO Max series populated by singles in swimsuits, that just got unplugged after two seasons.
“We saw it with OD, romantic reality shows that are perhaps more strategic will have to reinvent themselves, says Julie Normandin, of Attraction Images. The future of dating shows goes through authenticity. Because with the pandemic, people need, more than ever, real emotions, real connections. Watching it on TV helps a lot. »