Since Jenelle Evans’ controversial exit from Teen Mom 2 back in June 2019 following abuse allegations against her husband at the time (David Eason), fans have been divided. Was she right to be terminated? Or had MTV prematurely cancelled a compelling figure in their reality show legacy? This week those feelings amplified exponentially when ET announced Jenelle would reportedly be returning to MTV… but on Teen Mom, The Next Chapter. However, her return has ignited more drama—with previous costars claiming they weren’t prepped for Evans’ grand (and sudden) reappearance.
So how real is this shockwave from amongst the cast? Is the reported lack of communication truly reflective of some ongoing bad blood or merely MTV leveraging its talent with calculated surprises—keeping fans talking at all costs? To decipher reality from manufactured drama— let’s peel off these layers.
- Not a reunion – simply more drama: It doesn’t necessarily seem newsy that the current cast wasn’t briefed before Jenelle re-entered “Next Chapter.” MTV, much like network news programming, relies on audience engagement through conflict—the unseen and unheard struggles within real families create dramatic appeal for viewers. Given the polarizing nature of Evans’ character – to build drama around even whether she was going back — is hardly a fresh narrative strategy.
Analysis:
Let’s face it; MTV built its reality empire on showcasing authentic raw moments—sometimes brutal ones. Is it more likely they want cast-mates genuinely surprised for heightened tension, or are those “insider scoops” spun by talent reps and production crews alike to ensure everyone stays in the game… both viewers and former contestants?
Advice for pop culture lovers:
Remember two essential things whenever navigating headlines about reality television:
*(It’s a highly edited product): The curated narratives you see aren’t entire truths. *(Don’t expect complete fairness): Media cycles—sometimes manufactured by cast themselves — exploit conflicts and sensational stories, leaving audiences often asking “but wait, did something change?”.
Whether motivated by genuine drama or carefully orchestrated “news”, this is just the latest chapter in an elaborate Teen Mom saga–one that’s sure to keep us tuned-in long after Jenkins (the now ex’ Jenelle) has shuffled off into oblivion.