Why is it when you turn on the TV you see reality shows like American IDOL - Hells Kitchen - Americas Got Talent - I hate my Ex - My wife is married to a Midget - Hulk Hogans Life Story - The Osbornes - Nick and Jessica


WHat happened to regular TV SHOWS!? Like MASH - Cheers - Mork n Mindy - Coach - Bob Newhart and Dallas!?

Those were the reality shows back in the day.

The "reality" was watching those shows and saying -- wow that is really "possible." You would watch those shows and "believe" they were "real." It was the idea of the show. It was the fictional belief that is was real.

Does anyone remember how much we all went nuts over WHO KILLED JR?!

Now we need somebody to really kill somebody on a REALITY SHOW to cause a stir! WHYYYY!?

I have watched American Idol only because we've had 3 winners, (well two winners and a 1st runner up) from Birmingham. I've had a look at Jon and Kate Plus 8 about the family with multiples. I don't watch ANY of those other ones. I'd rather have something like Everybody Loves Raymond, or Two and a Half Men. I agree...we need some of those old ones back!

Remember those programs well, shame but all are gone save those on syndication. That's why I avoid television save for the news and a crime show here and there.

If and when I want to see reality I just open my eyes, no need for the television to assist me, I got this one.

I don't have a tv. I don't watch tv. F*ck tv.

Because it is cheap to produce, and we are voyeurs .

we like crap, crap is on tv, we watch it

because people are suckers.. they condense the parts of the show that's fit to air or is what they want you to see. Don't people get it yet that's not reality there are camera men all around they have medical assistance as needed. They make sure there is hype and backstabbing going on and for what purpose.. so you get hooked and then they get paid bigger bucks for the air time of ads... I don't watch those so called "reality shows" because they aren't real... As for other shows ? Hey comedies about life... can you go wrong with that stuff? or a murder mystery? drama sells right along with sex.



I will stick to a lollipop if its wet.

I agree with ALL OF YOU. This is THE FIRST TIME I have ever posted anything and everyone agreed with me lol That is amazing and funny at the same time. It is so true though. People are stupid - lazy and they like crap. Forget TV - if I want reality I just open my eyes. Good replies everyone!

I don't watch any reality t.v.

I haven't watched a sit-com in years.

My t.v. is limited to news and sporting events.

Three words, lowest common denoninator.

Five more words

I forget what that means

It's what television aspires to appeal to.

i agree

what is it in math terms? not to get off topic too far - just out of curiousity --- the number that is the smallest number that a number can be divided into?

Dead on.

There was a dilution effect of cable TV where advertising money got spread thinly over literally hundreds of shows instead of the five major networks. This dilution caused less money to be made available for major stars and good writers. Reality TV shows are very cheap to produce and, while used to be considered filler, now are considered prime time. The producers target the shows for the lowest common denominator

As a person who works in what USED to be the film and tv industry, you've hit the nail on the head.

Reality TV is INCREDIBLY cheap to produce. They pay their "talent" practically nothing, as there is practically a never-ending supply of attention whores and idiots looking to get their fifteen seconds of fame even if they have to humilate themselves to do it. They can produce said shows with a minimal number of crew people (a handful of dudes with digital video cameras), with everyone else being a "producer".

The fact that reality TV has survived so long is because of the salacious content and subject matter that is often a part of said shows. It's all about lowering the bar on decency without actually crossing the "censorship" lines.

And a great part of why said shows have such content can be seen in the prime demographics they're aimed for- women and homosexual men. After all, both "target demographics" practically live for salacious content, as well as the whole gossipy "he said-she said" malarkey that are often interjected as side plots.

The worst part is that the trend does not show any sign of dying out, as more and more of such kinds of programming keep popping up. It's no wonder why advertisers don't want to shell out advertising money on TV any more- they don't want their products showcased on a show about teenage hookers.

Teenage hookers be Hawt

I gotta have SOMETHING to masturbate to...

But, in answer to your question....

we got lazy, sedentary and friggen spoiled......

You might argue against me but, I know too damned many people who think that 1 minute on a microwave is too long.

I'm with you on this one. I rather read , maybe watch a DVD. I'm sick of all the TV programs, save Discovery and Animal Planet , which sometimes I glance over. All the rest in it are propaganda and brainwash.