Born spends a lot of time following the group as they socialize but is at its most compelling when it tracks the complicated bonds tethering these young people to their parents.
The show, with its confessional-style interviews and constant self-promotion within the episode (every commercial break lets you know what’s coming next), has the beat and feel of Real World. By treating the cast of Born This Way in much the same way they would treat any reality-show participants, the producers avoid any kind of condescending or patronizing tone.