1.
The proliferation of reality TV is a consequence of wealth inequality. For the slight chance of winning the money they need to secure a home or take their beloved wife on the honeymoon for which she's waited nine years or pay off the small loan they took out in order to open the business of their dreams, non-wealthy people must perform for the wealthy. In some cases, they will be asked to perform degrading tasks or risk physical harm for the entertainment of millionaires who sit before them, judging, as well as people who are secure enough in their wealth and comforts to sit on their couches and watch the beleaguered poor people don a chicken suit or slip down an inflatable slide into a pool of foam or smash headfirst into a spinning hotdog spit the length of several humans before falling into the water and spending the next two hours in wet clothes and underwear, their carefully combed over bald spot uncovered or the mascara they'd applied to feel more comfortable on TV streaked across their cheeks.
2.
How wonderful that the aspiring women's right activist and the recovered heroin addict with tattoos on his neck can enjoy this chance to demonstrate their prowess in the kitchen for a panel of accomplished judges on national TV. They must be so proud of themselves. This must feel like a very big moment in their lives.
