The right-wing grifters of reality TV: Casting this lot for controversy is causing a crisis

We are in a hellish cycle when it comes to the casting of reality TV right now, and it’s been on my radar for a while. It goes without saying before I continue that of course, reality TV should cast a variety of people with opposing political opinions and viewpoints that will clash in a way that sparks entertaining television. But recently, the greatest reality TV on television is proceeding to cast not just people with right wing opinions, but those who are using their platform to push their agenda in a way that generates clicks, controversy and build financial gain off their social media reach. Not only are these types getting cast on celebrity versions of the show, which most of them are with the platform they’ve got off being controversial, but shows continue to cast them. Whilst I’m sure casting producers think this is a lock-in for some press and a viral moment – it’s backfiring. Big time. Reality TV is in a crisis of right wing grifters derailing what we love about these shows in the first place.

And whilst generally these right wing influencer characters on reality TV are getting the boot early on – worryingly, I fear that’s part of the agenda they’re after all along. And that’s what’s scaring me.

It started with Sophie Corcoran

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A few years back in 2023, the creators of The Traitors hoped lightning would strike twice with the ill-fated Rise and Fall on Channel 4. Greg James was in full Winkleman mode and the show was sort of a mashup of Traitors, Big Brother and The Apprentice in a very hard to explain premise that was actually quite fun when you got stuck in. The issue of course being not enough people got stuck in and the show was cancelled after one season.

Via Channel 4

Whilst the show cast mostly non-famous people, there were a couple of influencers with a platform. One of those was Sophie Corcoran – who had made her name spouting right wing nonsense and promoting Conservative ideology. Sophie had some clashes on Rise and Fall but thankfully the show was so under the radar it didn’t really do much to have an impact.

In 2025, we’re swamped with it

The past few months, it’s been a bombarding of the highest degree. The bosh sized elephant in the room is the casting of Tom Skinner from The Apprentice on Strictly Come Dancing (of all shows). Strictly used to be a sanctuary where the vibes were wholesome, but the show has been repeatedly hit with scandals chipping its chirpy veneer. Tom Skinner used to be the nation’s sweetheart and was lovable for his bumbling ways, but his pivot to “I love me country, I work hard – anyway bosh” type content whilst cosying up to JD Vance has been horrendous.

Via BBC

As Skinner was cast on Strictly, his participation dominated every single talking point of the show leading to its launch. Cheating scandals, storming out of press events and then eliminated first. So what was it all for?

Then we have this year’s Big Brother. In the cast of the civilian series sat Emily Hewertson. Hewertson has been going viral for half a decade now for her young Tory stances. She got wrongly identified as the girl who chucked a milkshake on Nigel Farage. She regularly crops up on GB News. By all accounts, if you’re a young person on the internet you knew exactly who she was and knew that if you’ve got a following of 160K and a regular columnist gig across right wing press you’re too well known for civilian Big Brother.

Via ITV

In any case, she was evicted by her fellow housemates within the first two hours.

We then got George Gilbert in the house a few days later. The jury’s out on whether he’s an actual right wing grifter or if it’s just an acting role he’s playing – considering he’s a professionally trained actor who has numerous professional credits. Whether it’s a role or real, the views he spouts are just as dangerous. His comments about homelessness and his formal warning for his homophobic gestures towards Sam weren’t enough – he got removed from the house for continuing to break the rules.

ITV has confirmed what George said won’t even be aired due to it breaching broadcasting standards.

Why it’s backfiring – majorly

Not only is the track record of these castings that they barely manage a week on TV, I fear that’s exactly what they’re hoping for. These right wing grifters making up the reality TV crisis want to be silenced, because they’ve built their position on sharing volatile and controversial viewpoints that when they get called out for it blame woke, and blame a lack of free speech.

When Emily was evicted from Big Brother she said “don’t go on TV saying you’re a Tory”. She was evicted by her fellow housemates who had no clue of her politics. As soon as George was removed from Big Brother yesterday and got his phone, back – one of the first things he said was that he was fighting for free speech.

Via ITV

These people love going home first because it lets them spread their gospel more that they’re victims for wanting things like old fashioned values! And, in George’s case, making the despicable claim that the lesbian parents in Disney’s Buzz Lightyear film was pornographic because they had a light kiss. You know, as parents tend to do! I watched it with jaw on the floor. This is a man who took a role in Heartstopper claiming that same sex inclusion in a film is trying to influence children’s minds with a political agenda. Rancid.

The reality TV crisis of right wing grifters gets the show publicity. Gets the show some clicks. But it stains the fun, and overshadows the dynamics of the show. What are we left with when they inevitably get the boot first and bring nothing to the actual programme in the long run? A significantly bad taste in our mouths.

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Featured image via ITV, BBC and Unsplash.