Line #55 Series/Unreal2015


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/unreal_tv_series_poster.jpg]]
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3	->''"Nobody does anything here to be nice. The sooner you learn that, the more likely you are to survive."''
4	-->-- '''Dr. Wagerstein'''
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6	''Unreal'' (stylized as ''[=UnREAL=]'') is a satirical drama series (often bordering on [[BlackComedy dark comedy]]) created by Marti Noxon and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (based on the latter's short film "Sequin Raze"), and is rumored to be VeryLooselyBasedOnATrueStory--Shapiro's former employer was ABC's ''Series/TheBachelor''. It premiered on Creator/{{Lifetime}} in 2015 and follows Rachel Goldberg (Shiri Appleby), a producer on a dating reality show called [[ShowWithinAShow ''Everlasting'']] that is obviously [[TakeThat ''inspired'']] by ''The Bachelor''.
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8	Her skill at manipulating emotionally vulnerable contestants and extracting maximum drama is matched only by her self-loathing at having to do such a soul-killing job. In fact, the shame of having to work on a reality show pushed Rachel into a spectacular breakdown that resulted in her exit from a prior season of ''Everlasting'', and everyone is surprised that she comes back to work in the first season. Her boss Quinn (Creator/ConstanceZimmer) understands that everyone has a mortgage to pay and has no such self-image problems, committed to [[RuleOfDrama giving the people what they want]] and producing the best sleazy, trashy reality show possible.
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10	The first season's edition of ''Everlasting'' involves the standard-issue square-jawed hunk, in the form of Adam (Creator/FreddieStroma), a 29-year-old British hotelier, who is appearing on ''Everlasting'' despite his better instincts in an effort to drum up publicity for his Napa Valley resort. Contestants on this season of ''Everlasting'' include Brittany, the standard-issue hot blonde with deep psychological issues cast for "the bitch"; Grace, the standard-issue sexy swimsuit model; Faith, the standard-issue shy and pious virgin; Anna, the lawyer struggling with an eating disorder; and Mary, the standard-issue older MILF contestant meant to be dismissed early in the show's run.
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12	There is behind-the-scenes relationship drama as well. Quinn is having an affair with Chet, the owner and executive producer of ''Everlasting''. And Jeremy, Rachel's old boyfriend and ''Everlasting'' crewmember, has hooked up with a new girlfriend who is also working on the show. This background drama spawns and grows through the first season and well into the second.
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14	''Everlasting'' - sorry, ''[=UnREAL=]'' - then returned for another season in 2016, in spite of ''The Bachelor'' host Chris Harrison [[http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/chris-harrison-bachelor-unreal-lifetime-1201549641/ not being a fan]] ("[[TakeThat ...the main difference that I’ve seen is that people watch]] ''[[TakeThat The Bachelor]]''"). In what may be a {{Take That\|TitForTat}} to ''The Bachelor'', the second season's [[strike:bachelor]] suitor is African-American (something which didn't happen on ''The Bachelor'' until ''2020''.). The second season's ''Everlasting'' features NFL quarterback Darius (Creator/BJBritt)[[spoiler:desperately in need of back surgery, and technically unable to play]] with prospective "wifeys" being Tiffany, the entitled daughter of an NFL team owner; Yael, a.k.a. "Hot Rachel", who [[spoiler:strikes up a relationship with both Jeremy ''and'' Rachel's new boyfriend-cum-midseason-showrunner Coleman, as well as being a reporter in disguise]]; Chantal, a half-black contestant with a dead fiancé; Ruby, the "blacktivist" who is intended to be set against fellow contestant Beth-Ann, a confederate-flag-bikini-wearing Alabama ranch sweetheart [[spoiler:who ends up leaving the show pregnant with her ex's child]]. Madison has also become a producer following Shia's departure, Quinn tries to find love, and the past comes back to haunt everyone (but especially Rachel).
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16	Now a [[Characters/{{Unreal2015}} Character Page]] that could use some love!
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18	----
19	!!Tropes:
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21	* AbusiveParents:
22	** Quinn's dad was confirmed to be this. [[spoiler: Though never seen, he dies in the fourth episode of season 2.]]
23	** As suspected, then revealed in season 2 [[spoiler: Rachel's mother ''in spades''.]]
24	* AlphaBitch: Quinn ''in spades''. She thoroughly believes Rachel has the potential to be one as well and can often be seen grooming her.
25	* TheAlcoholic:
26	** Working on ''Everlasting'' has driven Rachel to drink. Her breakdown in the previous season was an alcohol-fueled meltdown that led her to ruin a take and then engage in grand theft auto and DUI. She is constantly throwing back drinks on the set during filming. [[spoiler: In season 3, she's quit drinking as part of her Essential Honesty kick; she lasts all of two days before the pressure of the job has her spiking her coffee with vodka.]]
27	** Quinn is a pretty heavy drinker as well, on a more regular basis than Rachel. Her drinking becomes more of a problem in season 3 as pressure from the network start to get to her.
28	* AsYouKnow:
29	** A character makes sure to refer to Chet as "Chet Wilton, the creator of ''Everlasting''".
30	** Chet and his wife greet each other as "wife!" and "husband!" in their first meeting.
31	* BackForTheFinale: [[spoiler: Britney in season 1, Ruby in season 2.]]
32	* BigDamnHeroes: At the end of 2x05 [[spoiler: ''Chet'']] saves [[spoiler: Rachel]] from being raped by a drunk and angry [[spoiler: Jeremy]].
33	* {{Blackmail}}:
34	** How Quinn is forcing Rachel to be on the show at the start of season 1. ''Everlasting'' pressed charges after Rachel's grand theft auto and DUI. Rachel is on probation, and if she doesn't play ball Quinn will have her thrown in prison.
35	** Rachel is also being blackmailed by her bitter ex-roommate Bethany, who is possession of Rachel's laptop. After Rachel is late coming up with the money she owes Bethany for rent, Bethany sends an embarrassing email of Rachel's to the entire ''Everlasting'' crew.
36	* BlackmailBackfire: In the season 2 finale, Rachel thinks she's dealt with Coleman as she's found out that [[spoiler: the "sex workers" in Coleman's award-winning documentary were paid extras and thus his whole career is based on a fraud.]] Coleman still intends to go through with his plan to expose the truth behind ''Everlasting'' and tells Rachel he's ready to [[spoiler: admit how he faked the documentary and use the knowledge to show how he knows first hand how faking lives works.]] When Rachel says he'd never risk his career like that, Coleman smugly points out that any damage on his reputation will be offset by exposing the show and Rachel realizes he's right.
37	* {{Bookends}}: Episode 5 begins with Rachel masturbating to porn and failing to get off. It ends with Rachel masturbating to old videos of her and Jeremy, and achieving orgasm.
38	* BreakTheCutie: Rachel does this to Britney in "Return" to get dramatic footage of her after her elimination. In the Season 2 premiere, she coaches Madison to do the same to Chantal.
39	* ButtMonkey: Several. Shia, Madison, and especially Graham all come to mind.
40	* CareerEndingInjury: Darius has one, which is the real reason he's agreed to be on the show.
41	* CareerVersusMan: A repeated theme with both Quinn and Rachel.
42	** Quinn's relationship with Chet holds her back professionally.
43	** Rachel finds herself in three different relationships with men [[spoiler: (Jeremy, Adam, and Coleman)]] who ask her to sacrifice her career to be with them.
44	* CatFight: Episode 3 ends with a cat fight between Anna and Grace that was brought on by Rachel telling Anna lies about gossip Grace is supposedly spreading.
45	* TheChessmaster: All of the producers, especially Rachel who "can do anything".
46	* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Despite also working on Everlasting, [[spoiler: Lizzie]] is never seen or mentioned again after breaking up with [[spoiler: Jeremy - despite Jeremy apparently recommending her to replace him in his role as director of photography]].
47	** [[spoiler:Shia]] disappears after the first season, and Madison replaces her as an assistant producer. Quinn briefly mentions Shia in passing in season 3 but her absence is never explained.
48	* {{Cliffhanger}}: Used a few times, most notably with 2x10 -- did [[spoiler:Jeremy kill Coleman and Yael?!]]
49	* CoitusInterruptus: Rachel walks in on Grace giving Adam a BJ. [[spoiler: Quinn later walks in on NaiveNewcomer Madison giving ''Chet'' a BJ.]]
50	* CoitusUninterruptus: Quinn is barking orders to the crew via walkie-talkie during sex with Chet.
51	* TheConscience: Jay tries his hardest to serve as this to Rachel in Season 2, but it doesn't work out for him. It has also led to some fans claiming he's a hypocrite for lampooning Rachel when he essentially did similar things in season 1.
52	* CrazyInTheHeadCrazyInTheBed: After Rachel's big FreakOut in the first finale Everlasting, the cameraman jokes about Rachel to Jeremy (Rachel's boyfriend at the time), telling him that "Crazy in the head, crazy in bed, right?" Jeremy isn't amused and just sucker punches him.
53	* CuteAndPsycho: Madison looks like a sweet and meek kid, complete with GirlishPigtails, but as shown in the season two premiere, she's got some...issues.
54	* CynicalMentor: Rachel to Madison in season 2.
55	* ADayInTheLimelight: Both on the show and the ShowWithinAShow -- Faith takes the spotlight in "Truth," which sees her visiting her hometown with Adam in tow.
56	* {{Deconstruction}}: You will never look at reality shows the same way ever again after watching this series. Everything said on-camera within ''Everlasting'' has been carefully edited and influenced by the producers, with a lot of the used soundbites taken ''way'' out of context. ''[=UnREAL=]'' also emphasizes how ratings-driven reality shows are, with good ratings being used to justify anything and everything the producers do to the hapless contestants.
57	* DecoyLeader: In season 1, Chet is officially the showrunner, but everyone knows that he's an incompetent, drug-addled pushover and that [[TheManBehindTheMan Quinn]] is really in charge.
58	* DeadpanSnarker: Jay.
59	* DiscreetDrinkDisposal: Mary pours out her champagne.
60	* DownerEnding:
61	** [[spoiler:Adam doesn't get to marry anyone, after some calculated manipulations by Rachel. Jeremy publicly breaks up with Rachel after she left him for Adam, only for the latter to back out at the last second. Rachel realizes the only possibility of her having a future is with Quinn]].
62	** Discussed by Quinn: "Oh, he does get an ending. It's just not a happy one."
63	* TheDragon: Rachel, to Quinn and according to Quinn too.
64	** Madison to Rachel in Season 2
65	* [[spoiler: DrivenToSuicide: Thanks to Shia tampering with her anti-depressants and Rachel bringing her abusive ex-husband for a visit, Mary kills herself in "Fly".]]
66	* DrowningMySorrows: Jeremy sinks deep into alcoholism in season 2.
67	* EvenEvilHasStandards: Jay isn't 'evil' but in season two his conscience begins to weigh on him and he declares there are things he is unwilling to do, a stark contrast from Rachel in season two.
68	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: "Romance, love, I don't know, it's all a bunch of crap anyways", says Quinn in her first scene. Rachel for her part is introduced wearing a T-shirt that says "This is what a feminist looks like."
69	* EveryoneHasStandards: Quinn, by her own admission, isn't above horrible moves and using people to get attention for the show. But even she has to draw the line when Rachel [[spoiler: arranges for a woman to attack the man who raped her, ''stab him in the crotch'' and press for the cameras to make sure "you get all the blood."]]
70	* EveryoneLovesBlondes: Seems to be a recurring theme in the show, where the blonde is often designated as the pure, lovable 'wifey' from the start of the show. We have Anna and Tiffany, and the woman seen in the 'Rachel freakout' video. As this is [=UnREAL=], this trope has been consistently deconstructed in various ways.
71	* EvilMatriarch: Rachel's mother is a horrifying example, as it is revealed that [[spoiler: she covered up Rachel being raped by one of her patients when she was twelve just to save her own practice, and claimed she would treat Rachel herself, which often involves drugging her up.]] In season 3, [[spoiler: it's revealed that she's extended this to her father as well after he couldn't deal with not being able to protect his daughter.]]
72	* FailedASpotCheck: Madison coming to Quinn and Rachel for help after Beth-Ann has supposedly locked herself in the bathroom. When Rachel shows up, it turns out Madison didn't even bother trying to turn the door-handle first, earning a literal, word-for-word "What an idiot!" from Rachel.
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74	* {{Fanservice}}: "Dresses down, boobs out!" says Quinn to the contestants.
75	** Mary ends "Truth" by dancing in her underwear, saying "Mama's still got it" to herself. Het male/lesbian/bisexual viewers who remember ''Film/IntoTheBlue'' or ''Series/BirdsOfPrey2002'' (Mary is played by Ashley Scott) are likely to agree.
76	** Invoked in Season's 2 "Ambush" when Quinn has [[spoiler: returning guest Adam]] wear tight swim shorts during the hot tub party. Invoked InUniverse as well when the camera lingers on his butt.
77	* FlagBikini: Beth Ann sports a confederate flag-patterned bikini.
78	* FromNobodyToNightmare: At this point it seems like a long-way off, but [[spoiler: Madison seems to be shaping up to be this. Confirmed, as pretty much the entirety of her character arc this season is shaping up to be this trope. She's a quick learner.]]
79	** [[spoiler: Jeremy]] in season 2.
80	* GirlishPigtails: Madison. Technically, she has braids, but the point still stands stands. Quinn even refers to her as Pippi Longstocking.
81	* HeterosexualLifePartners: Rachel and Quinn.
82	* HideYourLesbians: [[invoked]] [[spoiler: In "Truth", when Faith takes Adam to her hometown, she confesses to Rachel that she's in love with her best friend. While she resolves the conflict with her Christianity and wants to come out on the show, her lover doesn't want to be outed due to the Mississippi small-town mentality -- as she tells Rachel, "Does Matthew Shepard ring a bell?" They keep their secret.]]
83	* HypocrisyNod: Throughout season 2, award-winning filmmaker Coleman talks about how ''Everlasting'' and reality shows are horrible and fake and wants to "redeem" Rachel from them. In the season finale, Rachel reveals how Coleman's ex-girlfriend told her [[spoiler: Coleman hired downtrodden extras to be "sex slaves" for his documentary. "So you're as full of shit as we are."]]
84	* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: All the episodes have one-word titles until #2.10, "Friendly Fire". Titles in each season follow a specific theme or motif.
85	** Episode titles in the first season refer either to the theme of feminism and the traditional roles of women ("Wife", "Mother", "Princess", possibly "Savior") or else the driving action of the episode ("Return", "Relapse", "Truth", etc.).
86	** Episode titles in the second season refer to the theme of war ("Ambush", "Insurgent", "Friendly Fire" "Geurilla", etc.).
87	** Episode titles in the third season refer to psychological terms ("Transference", "Projection", "Codependence", etc.).
88	* ImmoralRealityShow: While it doesn't have contestants getting murdered like in most examples, ''Everlasting'' is still portrayed as morally bankrupt, LowestCommonDenominator garbage, especially as we see how the hot dog is made.
89	* InSeriesNickname: Yael as "Hot Rachel." Has gotten to the point where it is pretty much the only thing Quinn calls Yael. Chet refers to Rachel as "little weirdo", and to Quinn as "kiddo".
90	* IntrepidReporter: [[spoiler: Yael.]]
91	* IntroDump: The contestants are identified as they emerge from the limos one at a time to meet Adam.
92	* JailbaitTaboo: Implied with Madison, though her exact age is unknown. [[spoiler: Later exploited by Quinn to try and get Madison to press charges against Chet for harassment after she gave him a blowjob.]]
93	* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Pretty much every character in the show has a prominent dark side, both those working on the show, and those cast in it. Behind the scenes they are given moments to show they are as much victims of circumstance as they are soulless manipulators in it for themselves.
94	* JerkWithAHeartOfJerk: Even though most of the characters are complex (albeit with few redeeming qualities, they are at the very least a WellIntentionedExtremist), the more you learn about [[spoiler:Coleman]] the more it seems [[spoiler:he]] really fits this.
95	* JustFollowingOrders: An underlying theme of the show. The network and its higher-ups want ratings and don't really care how they're obtained, which contributes to Chet and Quinn's often-reprehensible methods of making "good TV". In addition to her general berating and producers only having a job in the season so long as "their girls" are in the race, she even offers cash bonuses for particularly juicy footage to encourage a dog-eat-dog mentality. This largely contributes to Shia's decision to take things up to eleven with one of her girls in the first season's climax, and her attempt to justify her actions after things have gone sideways is just short of saying she was "just following orders".
96	* KarmaHoudini:
97	** ''Everlasting'' is largely responsible for [[spoiler: Mary killing herself--Rachel brought her ex-husband in and Shia tampered with her medication. But thanks to some quick thinking and Rachel falsifying a suicide note, the show gets away unscathed. The only person to suffer any consequences is Shia, who gets sent home]].
98	** [[spoiler: Jeremy]]'s rape attempt on [[spoiler: Rachel]] goes almost completely unpunished (apart from [[spoiler: a beat-up from Quinn]]) largely because of his knowledge of the above fact.
99	** Rachel doesn't get in trouble for [[spoiler: Romeo getting shot]] because Quinn covers it up.
100	* KlingonPromotion: Somewhat. Quinn promotes Jay after [[spoiler: Rachel betrays Quinn, goes off the deep end, etc. Really for a lot of reasons, but the point of the matter is Jay is promoted because Quinn is in need of a 'second' after Rachel becomes...unavailable.]]
101	* LawOfInverseFertility: Season 2 has [[spoiler:Beth-Ann]] and [[spoiler:Quinn]].
102	* LesYay: The [[PseudoRomanticFriendship friendship]] between Rachel & Quinn plays this up sometimes -- Rachel is the only person that IceQueen Quinn actively wants to be around, as well as Quinn telling Rachel that she loves her and she's perfect, though she has claimed to be allergic to feeling before.
103	* LoveTriangle: Rachel, Jeremy, and Jeremy's new girlfriend Lizzie. Lizzie is not thrilled to learn that Rachel is back on the show.
104	** By the latter part of the first season, Rachel/Jeremy/Adam.
105	* MadonnaWhoreComplex: The contestants are victims of this, with virginal, wholesome contestants candidates to be a 'wifey' while the more overtly sexual girls fall prey to the [[SlutShaming "sluts get cut"]] trap.
106	* TheManBehindTheMan: Quinn is pulling all the strings, even though she's usually in Chet's shadow (or Coleman's, in season 2).
107	* ManipulativeEditing:
108	** Anna flies into a righteous rage at the show and at Rachel in particular after the show does not tell her that her father is having heart trouble, and her father dies. Rachel edits this into something that looks like Anna had a crazy breakdown.
109	** If you're paying attention, [[spoiler:Coleman]] has clearly done some of this with [[spoiler:the footage of Rachel and recording of Jeremy.]]
110	* MarryForLove: What Darius totally wants to do [[spoiler:and wants to choose Ruby, who he was pressured into kicking off the show earlier. Asks her, and she says they need to get away from the cameras to have a real relationship before she'll consider him (also, they've known each other 2 months.) Romeo says that they'll be poor, Jay responds that being happy is better.]]
111	* MeaningfulName: Faith is a Christian virgin. [[spoiler: And a closeted lesbian, which causes her some conflict in "Truth."]]
112	* MissingMom: Madison's mom is revealed to have died in the season 2 premiere.
113	* TheMistress: Episode 2 reveals that Quinn is this for Chet. Like most mistresses, she was under the mistaken impression that Chet was going to leave his wife.
114	* TheMole: Fans have theorized that Yael has ulterior motives for joining the show as a contestant, with many believing she's actually a reporter set to uncover all the behind-the-scenes horror that goes on at Everlasting. [[spoiler: Confirmed theory as of "Fugitive."]]
115	* MsFanservice: Grace the Brazilian swimsuit model. The producers of ''Everlasting'' have to put the brakes on things when Adam is about to take Grace to his room for sex after two minutes of conversation.
116	* MyBelovedSmother: Rachel's mother.
117	* NaiveNewcomer: Madison.
118	* NotGoodWithRejection: Jay falls in love with contestant Alexi and even breaks up with his boyfriend because he thinks the feeling is mutual. When Alexi dumps him (rather brutally), Jay embarks on somewhat of a vendetta against Alexi that lasts way up until the midst of season 4.
119	* PassedOverPromotion: Jay has been working at the job presumably for as long as Rachel has, however her willingness to do some dark shit at the expense of her mental sanity has led to her being promoted in season two, for however long it lasted. [[spoiler: Averted after Quinn's return to power and Rachel's breakdown, wherein Jay is given the role as Quinn's second.]]
120	* PetTheDog: Quinn's sole display of a conscience. After Rachel confronts her about the blackmail and Quinn refuses to let her off the hook by dropping the charges, Quinn appears rattled. She goes to Chet and demands cuddle time.
121	** In her own unique, twisted way, Quinn really does care about Rachel. She just thinks the best way to show it is to make her more like herself.
122	* PluckyGirl: Madison is a dark and troubled version of this. Despite all of Rachel and Quinn's verbal abuse, she truly does enjoy working on the show and is determined to learn and keep moving up the ladder.
123	* PoliceBrutality: [[spoiler: Romeo is shot by trigger-happy police, but Coleman and Rachel had called the police and reported the car stolen, aware they were creating a situation in which Darius and Romeo would be at risk]].
124	* PoolScene: A party with Adam, Adam's friend Roger, and some of the girls in a pool gets out of hand, especially when all the other girls show up. Clothes are shed, alcohol is consumed, and Maya apparently was raped by Roger.
125	* PottyFailure: This happens to Yael during her date with Darius, thanks to Rachel.
126	* ProductPlacement: In universe examples as the host will constantly be pushing various products for the show and the crew complaining about how cheesy they are.
127	* ReallyGetsAround: Madison, of all people.
128	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Taking on a "cleansing" of being honest in season three, Rachel tears into Chet on everything from how he's working off the backs of women to how he's treated Quinn, in full view of the crew.
129	* RedOniBlueOni: Jay is the blue to Madison's red, as of late. She's all sunshine and rainbows as she manipulates people and as the episodes go on Jay becomes more bitter and done with everything.
130	* RichSuitorPoorSuitor: Season 2 has Tiffany and Ruby, respectively.
131	* RunningGag: The gang mocking Graham's ridiculously over-the-top introductions to events.
132	-->'''Quinn''': I need it written into Graham's contract that he never read books. Ever.
133	* SexyBacklessOutfit: Pepper the schoolteacher wears one of these as part of her attempt to project a more adult, sexual image to Adam.
134	* SexyManInstantHarem: This happens frequently, given the nature of the show involves pitting hordes of women against each other to win the heart of one man. In particular when the suitor is first introduced he tends to be mobbed by contestants vying for attention.
135	* SheCleansUpNicely: Madison, to the point that AD Dan doesn't initially recognize her.
136	* ShowWithinAShow: ''Everlasting'', a trashy reality relationship show.
137	* SleepingTheirWayToTheTop: Heavily hinted at with [[spoiler: Madison, who gave Chet a blowjob after expressing her interest in moving up the ladder. Case in point, she's promoted to producer after refusing to go along with Quinn's scheme to press charges against Chet for harassment and statutory rape.]]
138	** [[spoiler: Madison]] also sleeps with Gary in season 3.
139	* SleepingWithTheBoss: Rachel and Coleman in season 2.
140	** Also various contestants with various producers and crew members, usually in hopes it will give them leverage. [[spoiler: Tiffany and Chet are perhaps the best example of this. Yael does a fair share of this, but her motives are to service her [[IntrepidReporter story]]]].
141	* SlowClap: This is how Quinn tells Chet she found out his wife is pregnant.
142	* SlutShaming: Even though most of the women, especially the contestants, are referred to as "bitches" and "sluts" throughout the show, the behind-the-scenes attitudes - in particular those held by Rachel - are a lot more enlightened regarding women expressing their sexuality. All of the characters seem to do a fair amount of sleeping around, and men are called out for it, too, especially philandering Chet and "man-whore" Adam.
143	* SmarmyHost: ''Everlasting'' has the typical smarmy, insincere host. In Episode 4 he's shown practicing his show patter right after having sex with a dismissed contestant, right before sending her to the airport.
144	* SoapBoxSadie: Ruby can't be seen without a slogan-clad t-shirt and only came on the show to broaden her activist platform.
145	* SpinOff: "The Faith Diaries", in which season one contestant Faith, along with [[spoiler:girlfriend]] Amy, document their time in California with Faith as a brand ambassador for a jeans-line following her reality TV appearance. Also starring Creator/DotMarieJones, it is available on Canada Lifetime and also Worldwide via the [[https://www.facebook.com/lifetimetvca/videos/1137094819670825/?permPage=1 network's Facebook]]. It aired with weekly segments shortly before season 2 started.
146	* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Series/TheJoeSchmoShow'' (especially Season 2, the reality dating season) and other satires of reality television.
147	* SpitefulSpit: Brittany does this to Rachel after Rachel uses Brittany's childhood issues (orphaned, foster care) to manipulate her.
148	* [[{{Sweet Home Alabama}} Sweet Home Alabama]]: In spite of Rachel's best efforts to play up southern stereotypes, Beth-Ann's family is very warm and welcoming to Darius with no hint of condescension.
149	* TheTeetotaler: While visiting Adam's vineyard, Mary tells him she never drinks.
150	* ThoseTwoGuys: Jay and Madison, as of season 2 with [[spoiler: Madison's promotion to producer.]]
151	* TokenMinority: When Shamiqua, a black contestant, is the first to emerge from a limo Quinn is outraged, since the first contestant is supposed to be one of the real contenders and the black contestant will be eliminated within a couple of episodes. After Shamiqua survives the first elimination the crew laughs about how she'll be leaving in a couple of episodes anyway. Later Jay, a producer who is also black, takes the two black contestants aside and explains to them that they'll have to play up the [[AngryBlackManStereotype Angry Black Woman Stereotype]] in order to stick around on the show. Shamiqua scornfully refuses but Athena is eager to cooperate. [[spoiler: Ironically, [[GoneHorriblyWrong Athena goes home first]]]].
152	* TwoferTokenMinority: Jay is black and gay.
153	* UncleTomfoolery: Shamiqua calls Jay an Uncle Tom after Athena acts like an offensive racial stereotype at Jay's urging.
154	* VodkaDrunkenski: Russian contestant Alexi in season 3/4 not only has a cocaine problem but obviously also likes his vodka
155	* WhamLine: Madison's "That was amazing!" right after [[spoiler: throwing up due to driving Chantal to tears at Rachel's urging. You expect her to be horrified and quit on the spot, but it turns out she [[AxeCrazy liked it.]] ]]
156	* WoundedGazelleGambit: Several of the contestants pull variations of this (or their producers orchestrate one for them) in order to gain sympathy and attention from the suitor.
157	* XanatosSpeedChess: Every episode shows Quinn and Rachel expertly manipulating everyone around them, from contestants to lovers and even network executives, into doing what they want, treating them all as cogs and moving parts. Often on the fly with a great deal of white lies and reverse psychology thrown in. Very rarely do either of them fail, even in the face of massive curveballs and time constraints thrown at them.

Context Series / Unreal2015