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Soap operas have been entertaining viewers since the early 1930's and 40's. Broadcast dramatizations that feature real actors and actresses portraying characters that are placed in circumstances that simulate real life situations. These televised presentations have been the ultimate fantasy for die hard fans. With creative writing, solid character development and good acting, audiences loyally watch their favorite seductive couples sizzle in front of the camera. Let's not forget the occasional exotic locations and edge-of-your-seat cliffhangers.

Although considered televised fantasy, the topics dramatized in soap operas have addressed very real issues that exist in today's society. Subjects such as drug addiction, teen pregnancy, gay/lesbian relationships, conflicting moral values and dysfunctional families have all received strong storyline development. Aside from feature films, day and night time soap operas were the only form of entertainment that pushed the ratings envelope. The producers knew just how far to go when it came to appropriate/inappropriate dialogue and content.

Times have changed - television audiences are now captivated by a more edgy form of entertainment based on the very fantasy that once dominated the airwaves. The difference is that the people and situations are not fantasy, but very real. This type of "soap opera" is simply known as Reality TV.

Reality TV is a form of entertainment that takes soap opera fantasy and makes it "real" by casting everyday people, or former stars still clinging to their glory days of yesteryear. Producers are using the same addictive concepts that keep millions of die hard fans glued to soap operas. In most of these scenarios, the entire cast is made up of "beautiful people" competing for someone or something. A large sum of money or the man/woman of their dreams awaits the winner, so of course the competition is fierce. People will do anything for money and this gives the producers of these shows enough material to work with (which in turn equals ratings because you the viewer can't wait to see what happens next). Moreover, a few of these programs add a little star power to the title for added attention, such as Charm School with Ricki Lake, or Paris Hilton's My New BFF.

Unfortunately Reality TV stars get more than they bargained for when they sign on to appear on one of these shows. Anything can happen on live TV and the cameras keep on rolling (which helps to justify this form of television as "real").

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