Reality TV has become a staple of the television landscape for over two decades, and its popularity shows no signs of waning. Despite periodic criticisms and waves of new programming trends, reality TV remains one of the most watched and lucrative genres in entertainment. From competitive shows like “Survivor” to docu-series like “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” reality TV taps into the most basic human emotions and desires—entertainment, drama, connection, and escapism. But what is it about reality television that…