About this episode
Reality dating and professional sports are not as different as you’d think.
Brittany is in her Sporty Spice era – she watched the NBA playoffs, she’s following World Cup games, and she’s watching the New York Liberty play their WNBA season. These games are daily – and so is the reality dating show Love Island. And she noticed that the two formats are not very different at all. Defector.com staff writer and co-owner Kelsey McKinney came to the same conclusion – so the two of them discuss why these games of athleticism and love can bring us together… and why they get valued differently in our culture.
(00:00) Brittany enters her Sporty Spice era
(02:02) 'Love Island USA' vibe check
(05:07) Why 'Love Island' is sports
(07:47) The 'Terrible Son' theory for sports fandom
(11:39) How sports and reality TV bring people together
(14:25) Is sports fandom open to everyone?
For more episodes on sports and reality TV, check out:
Get rich or die trying: how sports betting is changing our love of the game
Is this the end of reality TV?
The ugly truth of America's expensive homes
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Brittany is in her Sporty Spice era – she watched the NBA playoffs, she’s following World Cup games, and she’s watching the New York Liberty play their WNBA season. These games are daily – and so is the reality dating show Love Island. And she noticed that the two formats are not very different at all. Defector.com staff writer and co-owner Kelsey McKinney came to the same conclusion – so the two of them discuss why these games of athleticism and love can bring us together… and why they get valued differently in our culture.
(00:00) Brittany enters her Sporty Spice era
(02:02) 'Love Island USA' vibe check
(05:07) Why 'Love Island' is sports
(07:47) The 'Terrible Son' theory for sports fandom
(11:39) How sports and reality TV bring people together
(14:25) Is sports fandom open to everyone?
For more episodes on sports and reality TV, check out:
Get rich or die trying: how sports betting is changing our love of the game
Is this the end of reality TV?
The ugly truth of America's expensive homes
Support Public Media. Join NPR Plus.
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @bmluse
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
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