Reality Shows - are they really reality?

For the past, oh, I don't know, 17 years, there has been this strange phenomenon called reality shows. There have been many thought as to which show was the original reality show. For some strange reason, no one seems to want to mention the Real World on MTV. I'm not sure if the 'powers that be' don't think that MTV is a real TV station, capeable of producing anything aside from just playing a video. What happens when seven complete strangers are introduced to one another and told that they will be sharing a house for the next 6 weeks. The house they share is fantastic, with all amenities, including the obligatory hot tub, but the tiny catch is that there are cameras, infared and regular, watching you, 24 -7. So the Real World has been on MTV since 1992, so far as I can tell, this is the longest running reality show on tv. There are a few resons why this is the case, the main reason is that the MTV dempographic is always changing to be the 18 - 25 set. There is always a new set of eyes to watch this show, and becasue the cast is new every season; there is no host the way Big Brother and Suvivor, there is always a new city and a new set of drama queens to hate, love, fight, bicker, argue and love to hate.



So just as the Real World is, in my small and humble opinion, the original and I dare say, the best reality show created, there are some really, really bad, and pretty good realtity shows that I would like to chronicle.



So, riddle me this, Batman, what makes a reality show bad? And, if there is prize money involved, is it still a reality show, or is it a game show? For agruments' sake, we'll classify them as the same, if only becasue the individulas in this are generally an average person. There are some red flag indicators that will tell you if a reality show is going to be good; if its going to be strictly bubble gum, or its going to be something that will make the contestants become better people.



In no particlar order the the following reality shows are the worst, most train wrecked, overly dramatic, save-the-drama-for-your-momma, I can't avert my burning eyes, fluff, you have got to be kidding me shows.

Addicted to Beauty

Octo-mom. She just signed on FOX for a show

John and Kate Plus Eight. This should be called Kate the Shrew & her minions (and the sperm donor and whipping boy - John)

The Hills. Which, I'm obligated to say, that I have never watched a single minute of any of this show and I feel that my life is fuller for not doing so. I really don't understand any of it, but that aside, it makes my eyes burn.

The Real Housewives (of anything). Oh gawd, please, please, please tell me the world has seen enough of overprivleaged, botox injected, silicone plumped, spoiled, bitchy have it all housewives. Orange County, New York, Atlanta, New Jersey, please tell me that there is no more room for another city for five women who, all they really have to do is shop, workout, raise kids (with paid help) and screw their husbands. I'll tell you what, if that's all I had to do all day, I think I'd be a self-centered bitch also. The ONLY exception to the aforementioned rant is Caroline from New Jersey. Good family, hard workers and she's extremely passionate about how inportant her family is to her

NYC Prep. I can't even go there. Oveprivleaged small minded teenagers. What could be worse?

Flipping Out. Sad, but not sad in touching; 'Aaww, how sweet.' way, but sad in a 'Are you really seirous?' way. Funny, but not ha-ha funny; funny as in 'we're laughing at you, not with you'. I'm not saying that what he does is not meticiulous and perfectly put together, I just don't understand how someone can be so incredibly neurotic and manage people to flip a house and make a living. GO figure.

Miami Social. See above entry for NYC Prep, except they are adults who are convinced that if you are beautiful on the outside, there is nothing else that matters. Interestingly and sadly enough, these people will never know what unconditional love and acceptance is, because all of the people they are surrounding themselevs with are beautuful and shallow. How sad. Really sad.