Thread by @tsalibian

I just watched the [uncensored] Part 2 of the #PumpRules S10 reunion and my #MediaStudies brain is on 🔥! These reunions could easily be in a series in and of themselves. Special shoutout to the editors for that. 1/

An abbreviated reaction to Part 1:

https://twitter.com/tsalibian/status/1661751278681346052?s=20

I will be watching both reunion episodes again later, as there is much to unpack, esp. in terms of the liminal space between "reality" and the real lives presented. What an excellent study for TV fans & scholars alike! 2/

As w/Part 1, James is still on 🔥. Unpopular opinion: His "bathroom breaks" actually reflect a move toward maturity in him trying to take himself out of the picture when overwhelmed. He truly is a highlight of the season & Part 2 of the reunion develops that beautifully. 3/

This reunion develops the "Stars: just like us" element re: famous/visible people, esp. when composure is lost (or placed elsewhere temporarily, ensuing rage or not). The editors do well in highlighting the side convos on the reunion set as part of this. 4/

The editors also masterfully include when composure is about to break. Yes, LVP & others notice & comment on it (e.g. When Lala gets teary), but the edits of moments when it's not commented on (e.g. Scheana trying to keep composure in a quick cut) are #Emmy-worthy. 5/

In fact, because of the space between performance & real life, those moments are some of the most compelling & resonant ones. Props again to the editors for pairing those moments w/an unpacking of the real life realities (such as the effects of the TRO on Scheana & Summer). 6/

This season - esp. after the season initially wrapped - toed the line between "reality" & real. The TRO filed by Rachel against Scheana is 1 such component. The lifting of the TRO is pure performance in comparison, and IMO, it falls flat compared to the verité in the reunions. 7/

This is 1 more reason why the performativity of LVP (trying to control the conversations & the cast's reactivity) & others (The Toms almost the entire time incl. Schwartz's flaccid attempts at being funny) fall flat in comparison to the rest of the reunion. 8/

Another way these reunions blur the strict line between "reality" & what's real is w/the references to real life/larger contexts. Props to Lala for this in Part 2 esp. in her reference to #MeToo & her ex's publicist/PR people being Weinstein's people. 9/

Related to this is Lala's impassioned mention of the courts system and how complicated & treacherous it can be. #FreeBritney fam, take note. It's all connected (and it's all happening, h/t Scheana). 10/

There are so many additional layers to unpack & contexts to consider, esp. w/a #MediaLiteracy/Media Studies lens, so I will take my leave to go consider them. My fantasy for reality TV rarely becomes a reality, but I truly hope... 11/

...that the emphasis shifts away from useful idiots like Rachel & toxics like The Toms. I hope LVP & production finally veer away from empty drama & the rest of the cast recognizes they're part of something complex on many levels to fully claim their agency on it. ✌️🏻💞📺 12/12

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Further reading: Elizabeth Affuso (one of my dissertation advisors) on corporate partnerships in reality TV ejumpcut.org/archive/jc51.2…

and on celeb "civilianizing" flowjournal.org/2018/03/theyre…