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The first time I watched someone eat a Madagascar hissing cockroach on national television, I almost puked and vowed to never watch Fear Factor again. You couldn't get me to do that for $1,000,000.00 let alone a measly $50,000, which is what motivates those contestants to do some of the stupidest things I've ever seen. Reality TV shows, where the bottom line is shock value for ratings, and have no redeeming value at all, are what make me hate reality TV. Jumping from one speed boat to another while the boats were moving full throttle borders on suicidal in my mind. What about you?

I am an admitted reality TV junkie and to many people that makes me scum. But truth be told, I really do hate some Reality TV. I haven't even watched the newest reality show called Moment of Truth; I simply refuse just based on the commercials. It's another one that to me crosses the line. Based on what I've seen, the shock value format doesn't take into account the temperamental psyches of us humans.

People being hooked up to a lie detector, then asked questions that could not only ruin their marriages but their lives, just simply goes too far. If couples need marriage counseling and have issues they need to work through, then do it privately. Don't add the cameras and intense scrutiny to the mix and expect people to kiss and make up.

I know people sign up for these shows and agree to have their deepest darkest secrets revealed on national television - but come on. When a carrot is dangled in front of our nose with a big cash pay-off if we'll just commit to this one little thing, the average person's mind looses all control of their natural regard for what's rational.

I know producers don't twist arms or force anyone to sign up. People actually go to great lengths to get on these shows. They agree to participate of their own free will and choice. It's the fact that people are given the choice in the first place that disgusts me. Jack Ass! What was that all about?

It's also unfortunate that so many writers are loosing work because more and more television is unscripted due to the new craze of Reality TV. I don't mind it so much when there's a purpose for the show, like finding the next top dancer, or singer, so artists who have had dreams their whole lives and have trained for years have an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Or I even get the social experiment of finding true love when you've got 25 beauties (or hunks) to choose from and you just have to narrow the field down until the vibe is right over a few weeks. Or even finding out if you can survive when thrown on a remote island with strangers and you have to learn to work together in order to keep going; that's what Reality TV should be. But to entice people to do things that have no humanistic value at all for ratings and shock value, is why I hate reality TV shows.

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