Defending The Bachelorette

Abstract

Chapter Nine builds upon research concerning the ways in which reality television includes conflicting post-feminist messages that impact the contestants on the shows, as well as the viewers watching them. This essay studies viewer reactions to a particularly controversial season of The Bachelorette -- one which aired the star having sexual intercourse prior to the show's pre-scripted/approved timeline. The online discussion among fans on Twitter reveal the ways in which viewers resist or reinforce gender stereotypes and participate in or criticize the practice of slut shaming.