Recently, I watched one of those remakes of a beloved reality show of yesteryear that keep popping up. It took itself so seriously that it was stilted, boring and tedious.
If you’ve watched reality television lately, especially from a very well-known streaming service you’ll recognize that despite the popularity, there’s often one or two missing elements. By trying to make shows that are universally appealing, they end up coming across as soulless.
In the early days of reality TV, no one really knew what they were doing, much of it seemed looser and more spontaneous. Characters had not been calcified and so villains and beauties, schemers and rivals were less defined. Sometimes one person could have multiple traits. The producers were not casting clones because those characters had not yet been set. Today, the drama is predictable because so are the characters.
Even so, that’s not what makes these newfangled shows dull. It’s actually two slightly more subtle elements. Gazing backward to the beginnings of the genre, it’s easy to identify exactly what those missing elements are: music and humour.
THIS SEASON WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT
► Visiting Mount Norquay and Bow Falls lookouts with stunning mountain and forest views.
► Seeing the sunflowers bloom, and cooking them! You can sautée the seed head just as you would an artichoke before seeds form.
► The return of hygge, cozy cocooning and creature comforts (hot chocolate, apple cider donuts, blankets).
The original show had so many funny moments, interspersed with intrigue, that, as an audience member, you felt that you too were on vacation in Europe trying to figure out the compromised individual amongst the cast. Of course, the original version was fake, of course it was edited, and contrived but it had personality. Without humour whether from the cast, the host, the circumstances or the challenges there’s no foil to the innate intensity and necessary woodenness of the game. Levity is integral. Way back when Shakespeare knew that.
Then there’s the music, high tempo dramatic melodies work well to underscore tense moments. But they don’t have to be used on repeat. Change it up a bit. Lighter tunes, old school tracks, hey, even foreign songs work. Worse, is no music at all.
The point is, instead of constantly trying to create drama, there’s room for small tweaks that would make watching much more enjoyable.
LOVE FALL: EDITORS’ PICKS
PLAY
While CSL has highlighted several worldwide train journeys in the fall 2025 issue, there are many closer to home that you can even hop on for an afternoon.
SIP & EAT
Try a scrumptious sticky toffee pudding paired with a wee dram of whiskey, for those chilly nights when you just want to curl up by the fire and relax.
STAY
Support local, independently owned Canadian businesses by booking a staycation, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation even if you’re just minutes from home.
This original article first appeared in the FALL 2025 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.
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