I thought that reality television had come to a head a couple of years ago. Surely, there couldn’t be any more room left for reality shows, I thought; now there are more than ever.
There are the reality game shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race, and The Apprentice. There are musical shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. There are all the dating shows like The Bachelor. I don’t know what category to put The Biggest Loser in. There are all those real estate and flipping shows such as House Hunters and Buy Me. There are the family shows like Jon and Kate Plus 8, Little People, Small World, and 17 and Counting. There are the shows about the — pardon my language — freaks of nature among us like The Man with Trees for Arms. There are all the real-life crime shows such as The First 48 and Dog the Bounty Hunter. And lastly, there are the celebrity reality shows such as The Two Coreys.
Everyone seems to be watching reality shows these days and I’m no exception. I usually watch the true-life crime shows and the real estate shows. And I am very annoyed with the Biography Channel. I pay extra for this channel and I expected to keep seeing biographies. Now they have become a cheap TLC knockoff with their reality shows.
People who I think are normally very intelligent and cultured will discuss what happened last night on The Bachelor like they used to discuss the latest political or world news. They will have hour-long debates about whether or not Kate Gosselin is a saint or a witch. It’s as if reality television is sucking the brain cells out of us.
Article comments
1 - toomuchtv
I couldn't agree more.
2 - Lyn Onotsky
I really enjoyed this entry.
I agree that reality shows are over the top these days.
I miss watching quality shows.
Again, good work and keep them coming!
3 - Susan Keeping
Thanks for your comments. I'm scared of what the future holds :)
4 - Catana
I have a hard time understanding how reality shows (or any other kind of shows) can "take over" people's lives. Do they reach out and grab you by the neck? If you're really concerned about their impact, there's a simple answer. Don't watch them.
5 - Susan Keeping
Fair enough. It's just so hard to turn on the television these days without running into one.
6 - Ben
I cant stand all the reality TV and crime shows, and stupid drama shows which there are far too many of....what happened to the real sitcoms, like seinfeld, everybody loves raymond, friends, home improvement, you know if i want reality ill turn the TV off....we watch TV for entertainment, not to watch people complain about their problems which they shouldnt be complaining about