Reality TV, especially dating shows, has always appealed to audiences around the world through the promise of unscripted drama and emotion. However, there are issues below the entertaining façade and the romantic allure. Ghana’s TV3 show “The Perfect Match Extra” exemplifies this phenomenon specifically in its latest dramatic representation of the love triangle between Bebelino, Grace, and Brownie. Bebelino and Grace had been perceived by the other housemates as a couple or in a “ship." The dynamics changed with the entry of Brownie, a new female housemate who became a contestant for Bebelino’s affections. Grace became emotionally upset over the whirlwind change of attention given to Brownie that was previously bestowed upon her by Bebelino. However, besides the jealousy, it was Bebelino’s dishonesty and deception that exacerbated the tension. For instance, even after engaging in very deep and intimate conversations with the new lady Brownie, Bebelino later denied having feelings toward her, which was very misleading and untrue. In this essay, I will explore how dishonesty and deception were central to Bebelino’s interactions with Grace and Brownie, highlighting the emotional manipulation that followed. From this case study, I will argue that reality TV often manipulates and amplifies these dynamics for entertainment value, or magnifies them for ‘ratings’, and in the process causes emotional and psychological distress that lingers.

The Case of Bebelino, Grace, and Brownie: A Deceptive Love Triangle

Bebelino and Grace were established as partners since both viewers and housemates witnessed their development as a couple during the show. Nevertheless, the balance that existed between them was disrupted by the entrance of Brownie into the competition. Bebelino’s sudden shift of attention toward Brownie in a competition created a crack, which made Grace upset and openly declare her insecurities and betrayal. What ensued was a distressing sequence of events during which Bebelino not only flirted with Brownie but also had a one-on-one talk with her, appearing to be interested in her. However, when asked this question by Grace or other housemates, Bebelino denies his feelings for Brownie by lying, leading to further escalated tensions.

Instead of being transparent about his emotions, Bebelino chose to deceive both Grace and Brownie. Grace, already feeling vulnerable due to Bebelino’s shifting attention, was further hurt by his refusal to acknowledge his secret relationship with Brownie. Meanwhile, Brownie was drawn into a complex emotional game in which she unknowingly became a pawn in Bebelino’s deceptive tactics, which she was made to believe was operatic while all along she was being used as a lever and distraction in his cons. Bebelino’s denial of feelings for Brownie, despite their clear connection, created a toxic effect in which both women were left second-guessing his true feelings, sincerity, and intentions towards them.

Deception as a Toxic Communication Pattern

Deception is a destructive form of emotional manipulation that undermines trust between people and makes relationships very tempestuous. It can be accomplished through omission, deception in action, and spinning the narrative to manipulate situations. In the case of “The Perfect Match Extra,” Bebelino's duplicitous communications with Grace and Brownie illustrate the same toxic communication pattern Christenson described. This, combined with not letting either woman have him emotionally, put Bebelino in a position where he wielded all the emotional power and used it against them, allowing them to remain in the dark.

Dishonesty is particularly harmful because it undermines the foundation of trust in any relationship. Unlike more overt forms of emotional abuse, deception is often subtle, making it difficult for the victims to pinpoint the source of their distress. In this case, Bebelino’s repeated denials left both Grace and Brownie in a state of emotional limbo, unsure of where they stood in relation to him. Grace, initially confident in her connection with Bebelino, began to feel increasingly insecure and isolated as his actions contradicted his words. Brownie, on the other hand, was unaware of the full extent of Bebelino’s manipulation, but she too was caught in a web of lies that prevented her from understanding the true nature of the situation.

Bebelino’s deception also introduced a form of emotional triangulation, where he used Brownie to create tension and control the dynamics between himself and Grace. By denying his feelings for Brownie while continuing to engage with her, Bebelino kept both women emotionally off-balance, ensuring that neither could fully trust or understand his intentions. This kind of manipulation is a common tactic in toxic relationships, where one partner seeks to maintain power by creating uncertainty and division.

The Role of Reality TV in Amplifying Deceptive Dynamics

Reality TV thrives on heightened drama, and producers often craft situations that exacerbate conflicts to keep audiences engaged. In The Perfect Match Extra, the love triangle between Bebelino, Grace, and Brownie was undoubtedly a focal point designed to increase viewer interest. By emphasizing Bebelino’s flirtation with Brownie and his subsequent dishonesty toward Grace, the show amplified the negative communication patterns that emerged between the contestants.

These patterns are not random; they are carefully curated and manipulated by producers who understand that emotional volatility translates into higher ratings. What the audience sees is a condensed version of reality—an exaggerated portrayal of relationships where toxic behaviors like deception and emotional manipulation are normalized and even glamorized. For the sake of drama, contestants are pitted against each other, leading to communication breakdowns that can have serious real-life consequences.

In the case of Bebelino, his deceptive behavior was not only tolerated but encouraged by the structure of the show. Rather than being held accountable for his actions, Bebelino was given more screen time, making his dishonesty a central aspect of the narrative. Grace, on the other hand, was cast in the role of the “jealous girlfriend,” a stereotype that undermined her legitimate feelings of hurt and betrayal. Brownie, as the newcomer, was portrayed as an innocent bystander, though her presence fueled the ongoing conflict.

The Psychological and Social Impact on Viewers

The portrayal of deceptive dynamics in reality dating shows like The Perfect Match Extra has far-reaching implications beyond the show itself. The reality shows aimed at the younger masses, disintegration of unrealistic expectations around romance more so Oppositional identity in manipulative and combative interactions gets deadlier. When viewers see people like Bebelino participating in misleading relationships, they might think to themselves that this is how the game is played or this is how one ought to manipulate a partner to retain position within a relationship.

This is especially worrying because reality one encompasses the wider scope of reality television, which explores and exploits the middle ground between cessation reality and entertainment. Even though viewers comprehend that some parts of the show are enhanced for dramatization, it is likely for the depiction of deception to be taken as inherent in love conflict. This is very much directed to readers in this case, as many will replicate such view behavior in their relationships. The sad thing is that, unlike in the shows they watch on TV, these people do not usually understand the emotional cost of these vices to their relationships.

In the Perfect Match Extra context, the hurtful emotional manipulation of Grace and utilizing Brownie to stoke tensions are recurrent themes. These trends are likely to be found in more gloomy types of reality shows, namely the dating ones, where contestants are often treated as pawns in a larger game of emotional warfare. The audience’s complicity in consuming this content through their continued viewership and engagement on social media further perpetuates the cycle, encouraging producers to prioritize drama over the well-being of the contestants.

Conclusion: Promoting Accountability in Reality TV

In conclusion, reality dating shows such as “The Perfect Match Extra” by TV3 raise crucial issues regarding the accountability of producers and the effect of the dating show on both viewers and participants. Although these shows are often portrayed as lighthearted entertainment, emotional manipulation and dishonesty can lead to harmful consequences. In the instances of Bebelino, Grace, and Brownie, where deceit fueled negative interactions. Striking a balance between fiction and reality on screen is crucial, however, the overwhelming negative effects of such entertainment call for critical reflection. Producers are also to be held accountable for the stories that they tell to ensure that they do not encourage negative interactions that will endanger both the subjects and the viewers thereby fostering a culture that promotes healthy and positive relationships on reality dating TV shows. More awareness and more responsibility are needed to improve the current culture of reality television into a more acceptable culture of positive portrayal of relationships.