Why exactly intelligent people watch ‘Ex on the Beach’

I am quietly reading a book until I am unexpectedly yet with some conviction distracted by the television. There are about ten half-naked sun-tanned people who, uh, display rather provocative behavior.

Then I phrase it nicely, huh, because I actually find it blood ordinary television, that whole ‘Ex on the Beach’. With nothing but breasts, layers of makeup, and especially a lot of sex. Sex on television. Without any shame. In the shower, while your grandma is watching. That. But yes, I do watch it. In fact: I am watching in fascination as one person kisses another on a date, while an earlier girl who was flirted with gets angry and also flirts with someone else, to, well, ultimately end up together because they like each other after all. They think. In this program, that is, in real life it’s over again.

My fellow bank dweller thinks it’s about the best program there is. Especially because it’s called ‘Ex on the Beach’ and because all the participants, even after eight seasons, are genuinely surprised when their ex shows up on the beach. But they didn’t expect that! This is no joke. This happens. ‘Ooooooh my god what are you doing here!!??!??!?!’. Then I could cry.

I ask out of pure interest why my partner watches this every week. You would think he has something, well, more interesting to watch. Eredivisie football if necessary. ‘No,‘ he says, ’this is just nice. Just completely switch off.‘ How is it that reasonably intelligent people are still stimulated by these kinds of programs, all in the genre of Temptation Island? Research shows that mainly highly educated people flop down on the couch for this. They watch it mainly out of amazement, for the entertainment, because it is perhaps very far removed from their own well-behaved little bed. Then it’s extra enjoyable because they would never make it this outrageous themselves. make it this outrageous.

Experts say about Temptation: ‘It is lowbrow reality TV, but made in an ironic way that also appeals to highly educated viewers. Moreover, the program is simply well made. It contains surrealism, sex, drama, conflict, and a good voice-over that shows that even the creators don’t take it all seriously.’ This also applies to the gem of ‘Ex on the Beach’. It is addictive. Good TV. Perhaps I will catch one more episode this coming weekend. Just to see how shocked the drunken singles in bikinis react when that ex walks out of the sea.

Source: FHM