The reality TV that made us

The podcast examines the legacy and impact of "America's Next Top Model" through the lens of a new documentary. It questions the show's toxic elements, such as the exploitation of young women and the promotion of unrealistic beauty standards. One example is a model named Shandi, who was arguably taken advantage of by the show. Another model, Dani, was pressured to change her appearance by closing the gap in her teeth. Sachi Cole, a culture writer for Slate, argues that while Tyra Banks may have been a driving force, the responsibility for the show's problematic aspects extends to the entire production team. Brian Moylan from Vulture discusses the evolution of reality TV, noting that while some aspects have improved, issues like fair compensation for participants persist.