by E.S. Fuller

Created on: December 18, 2010

Let's face it-with the variety of reality programs that have shown on television with last few years, one might wonder is it now the time to pull the plug on these types of shows from prime-time.

Fox's Reality Channel was on cable earlier this year until it was canceled. But there have been other programs that have now made their way from networks into syndicated reruns, such as Fear Factor or the Real Housewives series.

However, considering the fact the the quality of TV has gone down lately, should networks start to make it a priority of phasing out these types of programs altogether?

One of the first true reality shows was the Real World series on MTV, where a group of people from different areas and backgrounds were selected to live in a house located in a trendy neighborhood of a various city. The people that meet learn to live together, and learn to work and develop a particular business for the time while they are there. Relationships and arguments would form-some to the point where certain people fight, and might end up getting kicked out the house. But it is a learning experience for each person that is involved.

Another show that has had repeated success is American Idol. People line up in chosen cities for tryouts to get the chance to perform in from of judges, so they might get the chance to go to Hollywood. Although Randy Jackson is a returning judge, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell are no longer there, and some have wondered that if the show will still be as strong as it once had. Although the luster of simply becoming a star overnight is still there, it will be interesting to see how this show develops for its upcoming season, and how long it will remain on the air from this point.

Reality programs shouldn't be banned from television, regardless of how bad the show might be. They give their audience the idea that anyone can come up from anywhere to be successful, even if sometimes those means to become talent can become far-fetched. Yes, anyone can get their 15 minutes of fame just from the time that they spend on any show. The problem is that these programs are starting to lose their focus as to how plots should occur, which makes its audience disinterested. Also, there are shows that have the same types of subjects, but they occur on different networks. Unless there are ways to make these shows more provocative and interesting, networks will have go back to go back original programming altogether.  However, since some shows still receive decent ratings, this isn't about to happen.

So for now, you'll just have to stay tuned-or flip the remote to another channel.
 

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