WHY IS REALITY TV POPULAR?
Is it because it is actually meaningful and good entertaintment, or it is because it is cheap entertainment with no substance, which producers has found out is just what's needed to keep viewers glued to the television screen? Most reality shows are crap with no substance, which only puts vague or no talent at display for viewers at home to laugh or cringe at. How many times have you watched someone performing at Idol auditions, and just outright make fools of themselves? Is this good TV? I don't think so. I do know that now and then someone who can actually sing good, turns up and kicks ass, and wins the competition. Just look at the norwegian winner of the World Idol; Kurt Nilsen. The few who actually have some talent and sing well don't warrant all the crap that's being shown between their performances. Kelly Clarkson has a beautiful voice I'm sure, but that doesn't mean that her music doesn't suck. Because it does.
MTV has become a new pioneer within the business of reality tv-shows. With shows like The Real World, The Newlyweds, The Ashlee Simpson Show, Meet The Barkers, The Osbournes, Run's House, Date My Mom, Engaged & Underage, Homewrecker, Laguna Beach, The Hills, Viva La Bam, Yo Momma, Why Can't I Be You?, Spring Break 2006, Room Raiders, Parental Control, MTV Cribs, My Super Sweet 16, etc, etc, MTV has made itself into the worlds leading deliverer of high-end entertainment. NOT.
The people who run MTV are evil to the bone marrow. They approve of putrid crap like the shows listed above to be aired over their network because they know that if they send enough of it, consumers will eventually loose their sense of criticism and just watch what they're shown, which will in turn give them more money from advertisers. So you see, all they care about is your money, and not showing quality entertainment.
A couple of years ago the CEO of norwegian TV channel TV Norge lost his job because he refused to let the reality show "Paradise Island" air on his network. So, the board of directors or whatever fired him, and subsequently aired the show. What assholes. I hope they die. All of them. Just as a preemptive move - To all those who think I'm whining - fuck off, I know I am right. Would they really show shows if it weren't for the money? Don't think so.
This girl from my school told me she actually liked shows like Outback Jack and The Bachelor(ette), because they "have everything - romance, comedy, suspense and suprises!". And she was really enthusiastic about it too. But this girl is a complete moron as well, so I would never listen to anything that she says.
Another reason for the popularity of reality shows in general is that people are stupid... in general. As I have never ever, in my life, seen a good reality show, the only conclusion is that people are stupid, letting themselves watch shit for hours a week. Who cares about who can loose the most weight, or who will eventually get the "bachelorette"? It's not interesting at all. If you let yourself become so caught up in the hype that you finally accept the shit that is being shown on television, ultimately then it's your own fucking fault.
So, the conclusion is - don't watch commercially funded television, as it sucks, and it'll make you stupid. You don't want to be like the dumb ass girl from my school.