The Ticker: Would Academe Make a Good Reality Show?

Breaking news from all corners of academe.

Would Academe Make a Good Reality Show?

By Andy Thomason

May 9, 2016

Ever think higher ed was ripe for reality TV? You’re not alone. Emily Nussbaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic for The New Yorker, floated the idea on Twitter over the weekend:

I know this sounds ridiculous but I honest-to-god believe this would work: a reality television show about college professors.
— emily nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) May 8, 2016

We’re sorry. Something went wrong.

We are unable to fully display the content of this page.

The most likely cause of this is a content blocker on your computer or network. Please make sure your computer, VPN, or network allows javascript and allows content to be delivered from c950.chronicle.com and chronicle.blueconic.net.

Once javascript and access to those URLs are allowed, please refresh this page. You may then be asked to log in, create an account if you don't already have one, or subscribe.

If you continue to experience issues, contact us at 202-466-1032 or help@chronicle.com

Ever think higher ed was ripe for reality TV? You’re not alone. Emily Nussbaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning television critic for The New Yorker, floated the idea on Twitter over the weekend:

I know this sounds ridiculous but I honest-to-god believe this would work: a reality television show about college professors.
— emily nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) May 8, 2016

Academics argue all the time in crazy ways, about tiny things. They’re charismatic! And/or screwy. Plus the stakes are both HIGH and lowwww.
— emily nussbaum (@emilynussbaum) May 8, 2016

The idea prompted some academics to chime in with supporting evidence:

@emilynussbaum it would absolutely work
— roxane gay (@rgay) May 8, 2016

@emilynussbaum I’ve been in grad school for 5 years & have spent half that time making horrified eye contact with a nonexistent camera.
— Kellie Herson (@kellieherson) May 8, 2016

.@emilynussbaum Publish or perish is a tagline in search of a show.
— L Laiken (@lb_bklyn) May 8, 2016

@emilynussbaum I worked at a Baptist U. w/ nearly GOT-level conflict. Secret messages, backstabbing, power shifts, only missing homicide
— Ricky George (@RickyGeorge8) May 8, 2016

Best thing would be the one professor who studies reality TV and tries to game things but fails miserably. https://t.co/WWjcraSEFF
— Mαtt Thomαs (@mattthomas) May 8, 2016

@emilynussbaum set it as a struggling liberal arts school that has budget woes, center it on the faculty up for tenure...voila! Gold!
— Dean Bakopoulos (@DeanBakopoulos) May 8, 2016

@emilynussbaum I’m definitely not here on the tenure track to make friends.
— Stephanie Hershinow (@S_Insley_H) May 8, 2016

@emilynussbaum office hours confession cam
— Briana Fasone (@brifasone) May 8, 2016

Let’s dig a little deeper. Academics, does your work life ever feel like a reality show? And, perhaps more important, would you watch? Fill out the form below and we’ll publish the best responses: