When Brandon Riegg joined Netflix a decade ago, he aimed to create something more authentic than ABC's contrived The Bachelor. His efforts paid off with hits like Love Is Blind and Age of Attraction.

However, the show’s recent seasons have raised eyebrows. Contestants like Chris Fusco, who compared himself to a crypto bro and alleged human trafficker, have made appearances. These revelations bring up questions about Netflix’s audience targeting.

Riegg insists that his shows are apolitical, with no bias towards either side of the political spectrum. Still, he acknowledges there's a shortage of quality male candidates for reality TV—problems not exclusive to him.

Meanwhile, a survey found that 64% of Gen Z women who are celibate cite politics as their reason. This raises broader questions about whether our society is too polarized for meaningful connections.

Riegg’s reflections on the state of reality TV highlight its potential for both exposure and entertainment, but also raise ethical concerns around exploitation and authenticity in our increasingly mediated world.