Shrink Wrapped

Shrink-Wrapped is not prepared to discuss the Sister Wives content. You all don’t sound like you’ve really ever even watched most episodes and are making statements that don’t really make sense. I am specifically referring to the conversation around the counselor Nancy and criticizing her work. You all didn’t even know that was their first meeting with the Browns, which you would have known had you watched just that episode. I’m giving 3 stars because you had the good sense to have Corey and Carley on to give us some awesome insights.

I was shocked to hear half of an episode discussing internet content distributed by a so-called creator who has been discredited and called out in court for harassment and spreading falsehoods as well as exploiting children’s pain for clicks and internet clout. Are the hosts naive or are they also so wrapped up in self-promotion that they do not care? The internet “loves to hate” this woman for very good reasons. I unfollowed as soon as her name was mentioned and the hosts called her content well-researched. A broken clock is right twice a day, but you still can’t trust it. These hosts destroyed any credibility they may have had.

I am not sure why an actual psychologist has a podcast where he discusses reality tv (really?) and other gossipy topics, with his wife, who is not a psychologist. It is not obvious what her career is nor what field she is an expert in because their discussions do not make this clear—please don’t say parenthood just because she has children. I would not want my doctor of any kind on such a podcast…or on TikTok. Cringe. Maybe spend one’s time when not treating patients doing research and writing in one’s field, not sharing generalities about reality tv, about people whom one does not treat and who are on a television show…this is staged and hence limited footage that has been edited that we are consuming. We have no idea what these people are truly like off camera and non-edited. I am not a psychologist but even I now that they are way more complex than presented. Dr. Colarossi continually warns that he cannot diagnosis any of these people/characters/whatever one calls reality tv figures but then goes on to make generic claims that I think a non-mental health professional could make—their discussions therefore remain on the surface. Also, as someone who earned a PhD, Dr. Colarossi should know that he has to go deep with the research before articulating his ideas publicly. As another reviewer pointed out, he gives his opinions (and they are merely opinions, not solid arguments) about Sister Wives without watching full episodes or completing the series (most with a PhD are completists when it comes to what they read and watch so I find this strange on his part). If one is into reality tv, there are better podcasts with more well-informed and insightful hosts, and without the annoying wife who keeps asking her husband to explain things to her “because these things do not come easily to her” and she’s “not a psychologist,” a cringey, outmoded gender dynamic, like he has all the answers, which he doesn’t since, as he never tires of reminding us, he does not treat these characters/people.

Not worth your time.