# Reality TV Blames Public Execution Risk

> Reality TV's violent trends nearly led to a live-streamed government execution.
- Title: Reality TV Blames Public Execution Risk · The Boston Globe
- Summary: Reality TV's violent trends nearly led to a live-streamed government execution. Reality TV normalizes cruelty, making a live-streamed execution seem…
- Keywords: reality tv, public execution, trump administration, peter hegseth, the handmaid's tale, deadwood, big brother, survivor, the bachelor, richard hatch, david puck rainey, omarosas
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/19/opinion/public-execution-live-streamed-reality-tv
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: reality tv, public execution, trump administration, peter hegseth, the handmaid's tale, deadwood, big brother, survivor, the bachelor, richard hatch, david puck rainey, omarosas
## Trump administration nearly aired execution
The Trump administration almost aired a firing-squad execution live on TV.
## Execution canceled before Dec 3
The Very Special Episode of Violence was canceled before its Dec. 3 airdate.
## Reality TV blamed for execution risk
Reality TV is blamed for normalizing cruelty that risks live-streamed executions.
## Reality TV's influence since 2000
Reality TV has normalized cruelty since it began in earnest in 2000.
## The Sopranos vs. reality TV
The Sopranos premiered in 1999 while reality TV began normalizing cruelty.
## Reality TV producers' tactics
Reality TV producers trigger fights and focus on offensive characters to boost ratings.
## Reality TV's effect on viewers
Reality TV has conditioned Americans to crave villainy and muffle good judgment.
## Trump as reality TV president
Trump is called the reality TV president for his polarizing style.
## Key takeaway

Reality TV normalizes cruelty, making a live-streamed execution seem plausible.