You’ve Been Catfished: An Analysis of Postemotionalism in “Reality” Television and Audience Response on Twitter

Abstract

Purpose

Postemotionalism, nostalgia for authentic emotional experiences, can be observed in every aspect of popular culture, particularly social media and reality television. Viewers are driven by the need to find the balance between individuality, expressed through “legitimate” emotions, insights and acceptance by their peer group on social media.

Methodology/approach

I use the program, “Catfish: The TV Show” to explore how postemotionalism operates in reality television.

Findings

This paper examines the new experience of dramatized emotions as they are portrayed in reality television and reflected on social media. I offer a theorization of social media users’ response to the search for authenticity on television through an analysis of a series of Twitter interactions surrounding “Catfish: The TV Show.”

Originality/value

The interactions on Twitter reveal that postemotionalism makes it difficult for viewers to distinguish between genuine, emotional interactions and projected, managed identities.

Citation

Williams, A.A. (2016), "You’ve Been Catfished: An Analysis of Postemotionalism in “Reality” Television and Audience Response on Twitter", Communication and Information Technologies Annual (Studies in Media and Communications, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 89-108. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2050-206020160000011015