by Jason Haskins

Created on: January 08, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Reality television has become a staple in today's society. It's popularity continues to grow, with numerous shows debuting every year on the major networks. As the reality shows prosper, many quality shows have disappeared from the screen. This is a trend that is likely not to stop anytime soon.

What is it that attracts so many viewers to reality televison? It's the simplicity of everything that appears on these shows. Viewers can sit down and, for the most part, not think for the hour or so they watch tv each evening. After spending eight hours at a mind numbing job, why come and watch something that might actually challenge their minds? Game shows have been on for ages, but there's not even any skill involved anymore. It doesn't take any knowledge to get on such a show. People love the "suspense" that comes along with guessing the next case.

The main factor in the growth of reality shows has to do with the fifteen minutes of fame, as so coined by Andy Warhol. By watching reality shows, viewers can watch average citizens go on national television and, for nine months to year, become celebrities. People go on these shows and become stars. Take LAGUNA BEACH, for example. (Which is hardly a reality show, but it qualifies and many people believe it to be true.) These people have no reason to be stars, but they continue to be in the public eye for no other reason that they were on a horrible show. Every viewer, in one way or another, believes that they can be that person. Whether it be singer on AMERICAN IDOL, a cast member on the REAL WORLD, or a contestant on SURVIVOR, the viewer identifies with someone on that show and believes that one day they could do the same.

Whatever the case may be, whether you are a fan of reality tv or not, the fact is that good quality programming is being cancelled because of the influx of shows. As long as the dumbing down of America continues and millions try to grab their piece of fame on IDENTITY, the reality shows will continue to thrive and hundreds of writers will remain jobless because their show was cancelled. It is a sad state, yes, but when it comes down to it, who wouldn't want to be AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL?

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