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If you were on TikTok or Instagram Reels duringScandovals peak, you saw Nick Viall a lot.
But nobody brings such nuanced and in-depth analysis to the genre.
Now Viall has started hisown podcast networkwithVPRsKatie Maloney launchingDisrespectfullyas its flagship show.
Ahead ofVanderpumps season-11 premiere,The Viall Filesdropped an episodewith Toms Schwartz and Sandoval.
WithThe BachelororLove Is Blind, there seems to be a clear stop and start.
Things like the Bravosphere immerse you in peoples actual lives.
Ive become more of a Bravo fan.
That started with Scandoval andVanderpump.
How do they separate being on TV from their reality?
I could connect with my family and friends and my support system and in some ways heal.
On those other shows, their lives become the show.
Do they always know the difference?
Then they go back to their lives, all while filming a TV show.
It makes it one of the best shows on TV.
Theres no higher stakes thanLove Is Blind.Its one thing to get engaged on television.
Its quite another to get married.
Your show has three different formats.
Theres reality recap, the advice episodes, and the interview episodes.
OnTheBach, I was involved in some dramatic situations.
Knowing what it was like allowed me to empathize and connect with a lot of my guests.
Certainly ones who have gotten caught up in for lack of a better word scandal.
I take a stab at be very adaptable.
Thats one thing Ive learned from the people who make reality TV.
I think unfortunately we live in a kind of disposable society fast fashion, fast food and fast relationships.
All of those things have led to more infidelity.
The people who feel wronged by infidelity often feel like there isnt accountability.
Tom was an opportunity to see accountability.
And I think thats why it became larger than Bachelor Nation.
He is … hes different.
I guess this is the nicest way to put it.
Im not a big fan of buzzwords and oversimplifying peoples personalities or diagnosing people from the internet.
Calling people a narcissist, things like that.
The Tom I got to know seemed like a guy who can be selfish and in his own world.
I was honest with him about that.
I dont think hes an evil person.
That being said, it depends on the person.
But it was far more unclear I wasnt sure what those opportunities would be.
Which is why I think people fell in love withThe Golden Bachelorand the ladies on it.
Everyone came across as authentic and there for the experience.
Compared toBachelor in Paradiseright after, where it took a nosedive.
Do you think this supporting economy of recap podcasts has something to do with that feeling of inauthenticity?
Viewers are now getting so much behind-the-scenes tea its changing their experience, too.It keeps the story line going.
The experience they go on doesnt always end when the show itself ends.
And then it becomes more like this universe rather than a singular opportunity.
And media itself has changed, especially in the podcast arena.
In the past, whats popular on TV would dictate what people talked about on podcasts.
Its like people are consuming far more short-term content, like TikToks and clips from podcasts.
So I always tell them, This is your opportunity.
The floor is yours.
Or if nothing else, the listener is more empathetic to what theyve gone through.
Reality TV is notorious for not involving nuance.
Its been a lot of fun to offer that to the people who come on my show.
What is your weekly viewing diet to keep up with all of these shows?Its a lot.
Thankfully, my fiancee and I are homebodies, and we like a lot of the same content.
We tend to watch a few hours of reality TV every night.
I dont get to watch everything.
We just have to do our research.
Ill go back and watch the relevant episodes.
The reunions are always super helpful for context.
I want to confirm were asking the questions our audience wants to hear.
I always want to be an expert in the things Im discussing on my show.
I never list out questions.
I like to be an active listener and adapt to what they say.
And I really take a stab at create an environment where its friend to friend.
Ive had so many conversations in my personal life about hard breakups.
I always remember that setting and mood when Im having these types of conversations.
We are always talking about some jot down of relationship, either romantic or friendship.
I want it to come across as two friends sharing their stories.
Its like, Yeah, I know you feel this way.
But have you considered the other persons point?
Do you see what they have to say?
Do you have a dream guest?So many.
I take great pride in that.
J. Law.Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie,Jon Hammas well.
Its so fun to be a fan of someone and have a shared interest.
It makes all those celebrities even more relatable.
Did you have a favorite reality-TV moment of the past?
Something you couldnt stop talking about?The Bethenny reality reckoning has been interesting.
I am someone who had some very challenging experiences during my time on reality TV.
I had a lot of difficult mental-health situations, I had frustrations with the people I interacted with.
But I also had some really positive experiences.
I make a run at focus on things I can control.
Theres been a cost to that, but Ive been able to turn it into an incredible opportunity.
It always seemed to be a very similar pattern.
I dont agree with it.
Theres a lot of people who dont agree with me.
I always tell my team, Listen.
Its that people care what were saying.
I appreciate the people who disagree with the households take as much as I appreciate the people who agree.
Because at the end of the day, they care what we have to say.
This interview has been edited for content and clarity.
