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In this episode of Reality TV Intellectuals, Genevieve and Pip turn their attention to Molly-Mae: Behind It All, the documentary-reality series that promises unprecedented access to one of the UK’s most successful influencer-turned-entrepreneurs. Framed as an intimate look at work, ambition and vulnerability, the show raises bigger questions about self-branding, the girl boss aesthetic and using children in media. We’re joined by Tinca Lukan, who brings an academic lens to the evolution of influencer aesthetics and explores how women present themselves as “girl boss” figures on social media. She explains what cultural ideas and practices underpin this girl boss identity and how it operates within contemporary digital culture with reference to Molly specifically. So whether you’re fascinated by influencer culture, interested in how fashion aesthetics line up with societal changes, or just here for the Molly-Mae discourse, this episode digs into what Behind It All tells us about success and feminism in the social media age. Tinca Lukan and Marni Appleton’s article: Unveiling the girl boss sexual contract: A multimodal discourse analysis of female influencers in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Slovenia. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 28(3), 721-738. 2025 Check out Molly-Mae: Behind It All: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Season-2-Part-1/dp/B0FQXCYYSV Follow us on Instagram: @⁠⁠realitytvintellectuals⁠⁠ Music produced by White Hot.

In this episode of Reality TV Intellectuals, Genevieve and Pip dive into The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City season 6, unpacking its biggest moments, key themes, and what makes it such compulsive viewing. We’re also joined by guest Dr Evie Psaraas, who has written extensively on the Real Housewives universe. Evie helps us break down concepts like emotional camping and ironic framing, and we get into what “authenticity” really means to viewers of the franchise. Whether you’re a die-hard reality TV superfan or just curious about why Real Housewives continues to dominate pop culture, this episode is for you. Dr Evie Psarras’ article: “It’s a mix of authenticity and complete fabrication” Emotional camping: The cross-platform labor of the Real Housewives. New media & society 24 (6), 1382-1398 Also keep your eyes peeled for Evie’s book: Lessons from the Housewives: What TV's Most Iconic Women Taught Me about Strength, Resilience, and Embracing the Chaos which is out in autumn this year (2026) Watch The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City on Hayu, Now TV or Apple TV in the UK. Follow us on Instagram: @realitytvintellectuals  Email us at: [email protected] Music produced by White Hot.

The Next Act or the Same Old Song? In this first episode of Reality TV Intellectuals, Genevieve and Pip explore Simon Cowell’s talent show, The Next Act- a hybrid reality documentary-meets-competition series where Cowell attempts to create the next big boy band. From its awkward mix of formats to its ethical questions about working with teens, we dissect what the show reveals about fame, celebrity, and the ever-changing music industry. We also hear from our guest, Professor Stephen Graham from University College Cork, who offers an academic perspective on how reality TV has evolved since the peak of X Factor, the democratisation of fame in the social media era, and what The Next Act says about an industry in transition. Whether you’re a reality TV superfan or just curious about Simon Cowell’s PR strategy this episode is for you. Think pop culture, but make it academic. Professor Stephen Graham's article: The X Factor and reality television: beyond good and evil. Journal of Popular Music, Volume 36(1). 2016 Check out The Next Act: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81743409 Follow us on Instagram: @⁠realitytvintellectuals⁠ Email us at: [email protected] Music produced by White Hot.