The GOP Debate Is Your Reality TV Guilty Pleasure

It's *mostly* unscripted and *largely* uncensored, so isn't the GOP debate basically a reality TV show? Although it's missing Carson Daly or Chris Harrison at the helm, there's bound to be plenty of shade thrown, questions dodged, and rules broken on Wednesday night when CNN holds the second primetime debate among the now-notorious slew of Republican candidates. (But, for the record, I would love to see Harrison host the debate — "Ladies and gentleman, this is the final question tonight.")

Back in August, the first primetime debate, hosted by FOX News and Facebook, left quite an impression on Americans, even its ratings did look more like a hit reality TV show than a political debate. A whopping 24 million people tuned into the first debate, no doubt inspired by the drama that anything having to do with 10 type-A politicians, including one particularly abrasive reality star, involves.

This time around, the cast is slightly different (yay for Carly Fiorina!) but the drama will inevitably still be there. In fact, now that we're even closer to primary season, is it possible that there could be even more drama? (Again, where is Harrison when we need him? "Stay tuned for the most dramatic debate of the campaign season yet.")

If there is indeed more drama this time around, the debate will even more closely resemble our favorite reality TV shows in the following ways.

1. The Over-The-Top Meltdown

Every good reality show has a meltdown — or five. There were Ashley I.'s tears on The Bachelor (and Bachelor In Paradise), there was Tyra Banks' "I was rooting for you" outburst on America's Next Top Model, and there was Tanisha Thomas' pan-banging episode on Bad Girls Club. Let's talk about this last one for a second. Is it just me or is Tanisha's "I got a problem with all y'all" such a Trump thing to say? Then again, doesn't Trump's whole campaign remind you of a reality show?

2. The Villain

In a political debate, as in reality TV, it's pretty much expected that people are going to throw jabs, insults, and backhanded compliments at each other. Out of the 11 candidates to take the stage on Wednesday, someone is bound to be the Scott Disick/Gordon Ramsey/Simon Cowell of the group. I'd put my money on Trump or Rand Paul.

3. The Post-Show Commentary

Immediately following the debate, politicos will waste no time analyzing every moment and every comment, trying to identify a "winner." We often value this sort of post-show commentary in reality TV as well, in shows like After Paradise for the most recent season of Bachelor in Paradise and the Live Reunion Show for Survivor. Not to mention, an assortment of candidates will most likely appear on Good Morning America or The Today Show, just like winners and losers of The Voice and Dancing With The Stars.

4. The Off-Key Voices

Aside from maybe Lip Sync Battle, every TV singing competition features some voices that we'd rather not hear again. With 11 dueling — and very different — voices taking the stage on Wednesday, there are likely to be a few that we'd rather tune out for the rest of the campaign. After all, isn't that what debates are for — weeding out the bad?

5. The "Are You Here For The Right Reasons" Question

In case you're still not convinced that the presidential campaign is basically a season of The Bachelor, consider this: If you don't like one of your fellow housemates on The Bachelor, you probably say that she's not "here for the right reasons." Surely, all of the candidates on the debate stage will be there for the same reason — they want to be president — but it's likely that they'll all point a finger at one another, questioning the validity of their intentions as president.

While Wednesday's GOP debate is sure to be full of drama, it could still use a confessional, a rose ceremony, and a $1 million grand prize. Maybe that's something we could ask President Trump for ... ha!

Images: Chopsy BGCBlogger/YouTube (1), Giphy (4)