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Whether you're a fan, or whether you detest them, there is no denying that reality TV shows have become one of the major food groups when it comes to modern day TV scheduling.

With programmes that allow us access into pop stars marriages and private lives, celebrities humiliating themselves, as well as shows which pluck members of the public from obscurity and make them superstars, it would seem that the demand has never been higher for television networks to produce programmes in the reality show format.

Reality TV is big business - it has made the careers of many individuals that regularly top the high earners lists, as well as creating once in a lifetime opportunities for those who wouldn't necessarily have been given a chance otherwise. In addition to this, some reality TV shows such as American Idol are the most watched programmes in history.

But why are we still fascinated by these sorts of shows? Why do reality shows continue to pull in the ratings? One argument could be that the programmes that roll off the reality TV conveyor belt are a reflection of other aspects of modern society. We live in a fast food, high speed broadband, want everything yesterday, instant fix culture and it seems that reality TV is one of the genres that can keep up with that kind of demand, while other programmes have fallen by the wayside. There is no gradual build up with reality shows, no suspense or cliffhangers- they are instant gratification, letting you feast on as many gory details, or as many toe-curling incidents as you could possibly stomach.

Is it really just as simple as all that though? It could be argued that TV stations are just trying any tack possible to get us to watch their shows - there are more channels than there have ever been before, so competition between networks is fierce. In the world of TV where the quality of television programmes has been overtaken by quantity, are the 'shock tactics' of reality TV shows the only things that stand out? Maybe reality TV shows give hope to all the wannabe stars within us - you don't have to be famous anymore to get on TV, and it could make you a national celebrity.

Reality TV has created massive personalities and massive profits, but has it's dark side, often creating huge success at the expense of vulnerable individuals: Susan Boyle for example. These programmes have a duty to protect their participants, but many fail to do this. But am I guilty of watching? Yes I'm afraid I am. I believe it's called 'car crash' television - you can't help but look.

Learn more about this author, Elisabeth Knapp.
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