by Marie J Kelley

Created on: August 07, 2008

Each Sunday night my family and friends know where to find me and it's not out at my favorite restaurant, out on a date with my husband or even at church. No, they all know to look for me in front of my television at home watching reality TV on VH1. Rock of Love, I Love New York and even Flava of Love enthrall me each season so much that I give up my outside life to watch the men and women on these shows make fools of themselves.

Watching reality TV is not something I'm proud of, in fact, I'm completely ashamed of it and tell no one if I don't need to. I fear that each time I turn my television on to see females wrestling in mud over a football, my brain cells are committing suicide one by one, but like millions of others, I just can't stop myself from tuning in. My addiction began years ago in junior high when I discovered MTV and The Real World. Since that fateful day, I've never been quite the same. I wait anxiously for the new season to start and find myself checking websites for updates on who will be on the show so I'll know in advance who will cause the most chaos and excitement.

As with any addictions, I've tried to quit it over the years and have only been met with failure. I've told myself that this is it and I'll begin watching shows that enhance my growth as an individual and make me feel good about people and myself, but then the new season of Kitchen Nightmares is announced and I know that I'm doomed. There is something inside me that just needs to hear Gordon Ramsey yell at chefs and call them pigs and fat cows! I'm helpless against this thing called reality TV!

Reality TV gives us a chance to watch people humiliate themselves, show their emotional side and in some cases allow us into the lives of celebrities we would never be near in our real lives. Much like during roman times when men would fight to the death in front of thousands of spectators, reality TV appeals to something hidden in the depths of us. I know that when I watch people try to eat a worm or cockroach for just a few dollars I'm no better than those who used to watch public hangings and fights, but I also know that I'm weak and that the major networks know that. Sadly, as the new season approaches I know that I'll be in front of my TV waiting for the new reality TV lineup to start and this year, I'll be watching it with my husband who will be addicted in no time.

Learn more about this author, Marie J Kelley.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.