NFL Tickets
I never have given this much thought before, but after listening to the MMA Hour, with Ariel Helwani, I do now. The thought is this: what kind of stress and psychological damage can come from being on a reality show? Just think about it for a second. It’s very much a social experiment as it is a genre of television.
We take a handful of people, some less mentally balanced than others, and we confine them to one place all together and do the best we can to cut them off from the rest of society. On top of that, we film these people nearly 24-7. And then to add insult to injury, the end result of the show is an edited, contrived reflection of what events actually transpired. It sounds terrible.
Reality shows vary from scenario to scenario, but I think the same negative aspects that go into making them hold true for all. This season of TUF has not been the best season the series has produced. It has been criticized for being boring and degrading itself to the lowest common denominator by having irrelevant drama. TUF fighter and tournament finalist, Mike Ricci, was recently interviewed by Helwani. In the interview, Ricci reflected on his hellacious experience being on the reality show.
“It was an absolute nightmare, I wanted to sue for psychological damage, I wasn’t the same person,”
“I was taken away from my family and from my friends and from life, you literally, you vanish, you’re gone, there’s no sign of you whatsoever,”
“It’s almost like to everyone in the outside world you’re dead and you’re gone.”
When Ricci watched himself, it brought back emotions he did not like. Ricci saw himself unhappy and distraught. Helwani brought up the fact that Ricci may have made the most intriguing moment of the season; challenging his “friend” Michael Hill. Ricci made it clear that he and Hill were not that close after the teams were decided and that he was much closer to the other fighters.
Ricci, like all men who are on a quest for glory, endured this trying situation to get the ultimate prize; a contract in the UFC. Ricci has done a good job fighting and remaining level headed. I sincerely wish him the best at the finals.
I understand that being on a highly televised reality show can be incredibly stressful. If you’re not prepared for those circumstances it can take its toll and possibly break you. But with all difficult situations, different people are more emotionally resilient than others. If Ricci wins this, then I truly hope it was worth the emotional nightmare he endured.
Share 
