Reality shows seem to be the hottest thing on television. From the Real World to Joe Millionaire, these shows give viewers the chance to act like a fly on the wall of nearly every type of dysfuncttional household in America.
Those who do not get sucked in to the world that is reality television cannot understand why the rest of us do.
However, in defense of the millions of people that do become addicted, the reasons these shows receive such high ratings are plentiful.
Simply put, those who watch these shows, myself included, are extremely nosy. We want to be the first to know who hooked up with who and just why so and so got kicked out of the house.
We yearn for a full understanding of each cast member’s background including his or her zodiac sign, favorite color and porn star name (the first street you lived on and the name of your first pet).
We quickly become attached to these characters because we know they are not acting, they willingly give every ounce of their privacy, from the workplace to the bedroom and to have their lives documented as America watches.
They allow us to peer into the most personal aspects of their lives and experience the most intimate situations with them.
The cast of these programs seem to be merely entertainers to those who are not avid watchers.
On the other end of the spectrum, they are much much more.
Our feelings are hurt if our favorite eligible bachelor gets eliminated, just as our symapthy goes out to the Road Rules team when they fail a mission that we knew was impossible to complete.
These shows deal with situations that we find ourselves in everyday.
Aside from some outlandish circumstances and unusual living arrangements, these shows also include run-ins with work, school, friends, family, love and heartache, just like each of the devoted viewers.
It is refreshing to see that our lives are not so abnormal compared to the lives of those we witness every week.
Tuning in daily to see people deal with the same problems we are enduring, makes our lives seem a little bit more bearable.
So I say thank goodness for reality shows!
If peering into someone else’s not-so-functional life for 30 minutes can help you deal with your own in any way, keep on peering!
If you recognize character flaws in these people that you realize you don’t want to see in yourself, then your half-hour was spent wisely.
Reality television may serve as a break from our own personal realities, but it also reflects them.
We would not watch these shows if we did not see bits and pieces of ourselves in them.
This wave of reality shows is more than just a trendy way to sell televison air time. These programs are creative channels through which we, as viewers, can see how others deal with everyday situations.
In a twisted sort of way, they help us cope with our own dysfunctional lives.
If they happen to satisfy our undying need to know what is happening in the lives of those around us, so be it!

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