Opinion: 90 Day Fiance is the worst addictive reality show on television (TLC)

I know this sounds silly, but watching 90 Day Fiance is the most ridiculous thing I’ve watched in recent history. The stories are so grand and unbelievable but in a bad way.

Watching this show is the ultimate guilty pleasure. On one hand, I can understand the grandiose idea behind finding true love on the other side of the world. On the other hand, it’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.

What gets you hooked on the show is the producer’s and editor’s ability to keep you on edge. There is a perpetual cliff hanger that dwells in every episode that makes you want to wait until after the commercial to see what happens. And because multiple parties are being followed during a season, sometimes you won’t catch up with the couple that had most of your attention for several episodes!

The worse part of the series is how dumb they make the people look. If alien life came across 90 Day Fiance over the space digital airwaves, they would think we are the most idiotic civilization ever. Why? Because of the things these people do for love.

I guess we all risk humiliation for at some point. But watching it on TV is almost painful, it’s entertaining but cringe-worthy. Plus, when bad things happen. Like when it doesn’t work out because one of the parties is already in a relationship. Or, if its clear the couple is not going to work because one person is pushy, needy, or crazy.

90 Day Fiance forces me as a viewer to look at the stark differences between what Disney taught me growing up and what the fabricated worst-case scenario is that I’m being shown. I hate that this show forces me to be cynical. I want to believe in fairy tales forever. But after binging one season of 90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days and watching some episodes of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way, I just don’t think that’s possible. But I have to commend TLC for making such an addictive show.