The Dark Side of Reality TV uncovers the deception behind Joe Millionaire, an American reality TV series that fooled twenty women into believing they were vying for the affection of a millionaire bachelor. In reality, the man was a working-class “average Joe,” and the women were unwittingly portrayed as gold diggers to an audience of 70 million viewers.
This Vice TV documentary, airing on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 9:00 p.m., explores the controversial series, which first aired on Fox from 2003 to 2005. The show’s premise centered on a group of single women competing for a bachelor, unaware that his millionaire status was a ruse. If the final woman standing accepted him after learning the truth, they would share a $1,000,000 prize.
The first season captured high ratings, with the finale becoming the highest-rated entertainment program on network television since 2000. However, the second season, titled “The Next Joe Millionaire,” failed to replicate this success.
In 2021, Fox revived the concept with “Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer,” introducing a twist by featuring two bachelors, one wealthy and the other working-class.
Dark Side of Reality TV: Joe Millionaire airs on Vice TV on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 9:00 p.m.
