Toilet Babies, Dr. Pimple Popper, and Other Dystopian Horrors of Medical Reality TV

In the early 2000s, reality TV experienced a boom in shows focused of surgery, both plastic and beyond. What lead to this spike in popularity? The success of ER? The death rattle of a Clinton economy?  Or maybe our cultural fascinations with gore and, conversely, physical perfection? With the help of reality TV expert Rich Juzwiak, we try to figure out the answer, while also discussing (and not showing!!!) the latest in the genre, like Botched and the strangely charming Dr. Pimple Popper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices