Look Who's Watching Now

I once wrote a paper on reality television shows. It was called "Reality Television: Staple of the
American Home or Seed of the Devil?" Pretty good Grove City title, if I do say so myself.

Anyway, this paper was written two years ago, but since then, I have continued to be a reluctant fan of reality TV. It all started with watching seven strangers stop being polite and start getting real, but my reality TV interests grew to include home improvement shows, wedding shows, shows about spoiled rich kids, and of course, who can forget the reality game show? I don't know what it is about watching other people live out their lives, but I will almost always choose to watch any of the various reality shows on TV rather than a rerun of an old sitcom. I guess there is something to be said for the fact that Americans, myself included, are voyeuristic at heart. I enjoy watching Veronica and Coral torment the other girls on RWRR challenges. I love to hate the beautiful (however fake they may be) models on 8th & Ocean, and I tune in every Thursday night at 8:00 to see who gets voted off the island. I guess you could say I'm addicted.

The funny thing is, I used to want to be on a reality show. Sometimes, I have a moment of temporary insanity and reconsider this wish, but I realize now that behind the claims of truthfulness and sincerity lies a creative team of casting agents, producers, and editors who know exactly what makes good television. Just like a hit drama or sitcom, a reality show has its cast of characters, with the villain, the all-american hero, the scapegoat, the mindless sidekicks, etc., etc. Splice a few months of my life into a 30-minute episode, and I'm sure I could fit into any one of those molds.

There is much that can (and possibly someday will) be said about reality television, but for now, I'm going to let you decide for yourself. Reality television -- staple of the American home or seed of the devil? You be the judge.