Reacting to an ENTIRE EPISODE of the Undateables...
Added 2026-02-24 15:00:23 +0000 UTC
Comments
This was really interesting. I would definitely be interested in another episode commentary, if you decide to make that video.
Gina Delfina
2026-03-01 20:18:22 +0000 UTCIt's sooo frustrating π I don't even realise I'm doing it most of the time!
I'm Autistic, Now What
2026-02-28 22:03:05 +0000 UTCAlso for reference I don't disagree with anything Meg has said (quite the opposite), I'm just adding additional information to the conversation.
Glen Rose
2026-02-28 05:54:25 +0000 UTCFor potentially further insight into creating a 'documentary' reality show like this my wife and I work/ed in the reality TV industry in Australia (as that's where most film and TV jobs are available in Oz). From what I've generally noticed UK reality TV shows have a very low budget so the turn around time for each episode would be very tight (we've been offered to edit UK / USA reality TV shows but haven't done it as it the turn around time is insanely quick). Often in reality TV shows the first episode has a bit more time behind them to help Post figure out and set the tone for the rest of the show. I found it very interesting when Meg pointed out that the circus themed music could be related the girl's performer background. This is likely the case (without rewatching it multiple times) as often TV shows can have a music theme for each character (my wife works on Travel Guides which had specially composed music themes for each guide group through the entire series). What is also very common for many reality shows (especially under time crunch) is editors will often literally copy the music from episode 1 to quickly cut corners so ironically the plinky plonky music that was chosen for a couple of character's themes then defined the entire series. Often the first series of a show is very tumultuous as not only can they have a smaller pilot budget but they don't even know what they are making yet and then have extremely limited time to complete the rest of the first season once episode 1 has been defined. Then you have a successful show so you copy what they did on session 1. This episode seemed pretty decent considering it was 2012 and I thought the people were generally portrayed well for the most part, they talked about their experiences and were quite funny (as people joking around, not at their expense). That said if this continued with outdated negative framing VO and plinky plonky music to 2020 then that is a very different story.
Glen Rose
2026-02-28 05:45:57 +0000 UTCOh the dreaded nervous laugh. I suffered as a teenager and young adult. Still do it a bit at 73!
Tessa Coker
2026-02-26 17:15:39 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed this video quite a lot! I particularly appreciate your commentary on the production of the show and how it deeply affects what's meaningfully conveyed. I'm very interested in editing so reality tv is quite fascinating to me because the editing is so ridiculously present and impactful (frequently to the point of absurdity and boldfaced lying lol). I don't often watch reality shows since the contradiction between the supposed "reality" of the content and the overt, forceful production shaping the whole thing into something else makes me feel effing insane! Anyway, it's no surprise that your analysis of that is satisfyingly insightful; that's your background! :)
EndoGladry
2026-02-26 02:38:38 +0000 UTCNetflix won't show it here in the US, it seems and I'm too nervous to use a VPN to watch.
Chuck Hargis
2026-02-26 01:01:01 +0000 UTCI just watched the America's Next Top Model documentary on Netflix and it was wild! I remember loving that show as a child, but now it's so horrifying! Nice to see that times have changed, I suppose (although still lots of problematic shows, of course) Aw, that's amazing! I do really want to try skating again some time
I'm Autistic, Now What
2026-02-25 21:33:32 +0000 UTCYes, same π¬ I think she meant well, but again it feels like making it a spectacle/seeing him as some sort of entertaining novelty
I'm Autistic, Now What
2026-02-25 21:17:21 +0000 UTCAs someone who grew up with way more problematic reality TV and "documentaries", it didn't seem the worst, but I don't think I would watch this now. There were some genuinely nice moments, but it didn't seem that they wanted to show their participants in the best light. I'm glad that I have never been in a proper TV show, because it would stress me out. Especially now that these old shows are all over the Internet, even though they were filmed before Internet was this much of a thing, so they couldn't have thought what it's like to have the content always available for anyone to see. To be honest, the "dirty stove" doesn't even look dirty to me, because the white parts are clean and only the front hobs and edges are rusty. All of the pictures of his apartment look more like cluttered, not unclean. I think going to check the unknown date location beforehand with a trusted person would be useful, but pretending to be on a date is weird. It seems like a trope from fiction "pretend I'm your date/crush/whatever", but not something people actually do. I love skating and have been doing it quite a lot this winter. I guess it would be difficult to learn as adult, because you fall so much higher. I've been skating since I could stand, so I was probably falling all the time anyway.
EG
2026-02-25 17:13:09 +0000 UTCI feel like the only representation of Tourette's in the media is the swearing kind, I didn't even know there were any other kinds until quite recently and I'm in my 30s. I think that's the most like 'scandalous' you know, it sells. I love Sally Phillips but this show makes me uncomfortable! It has been interesting to learn about it through your videos though as I'd never heard of it before. The vibes were definitely SO 2012 it's wild. I don't doubt this show was coming from a good place, it's just societal views of disabled people are so often like 'oh these poor little humans' which is where I couldn't watch a whole series of this.
Izzy
2026-02-25 14:25:27 +0000 UTC"Haven't heard him swear yet, which is disappointing cos I think that's funny." The amount I winced over that. I can really see why you don't like this show and I'm glad I didn't watch it when it came out.
HollyIsAutistic
2026-02-25 09:43:39 +0000 UTCI don't get the hype around someones height either and I'm not demisexual. But I also don't care much about someones appearance in general and their gender doesnt change how I view or treat someone either. What I do care about is if someone is nice, respectful, intelligent and shares my values in life.
Nine Tails
2026-02-24 18:42:45 +0000 UTC
