Could it be safe to say, these reality TV shows started big with America's Funniest Home Videos and Cops? Naw, it all started with the evening news. That's reality.

I'm fed up with the crap they're putting out and the TV network's long-term investment into reality tv shows. It was nice to see a change in programming but it's been too many years now, too many sequels, too many good-looking people in too many contrived plots. The acting in some of these reality shows rivals the porn industry.

So, to Amerian TV networks: You are already too rich, you don't need more money. Risk some of your billions of dollars and put on a few different shows that are new.

There are more than a billion ideas out there, why do the networks only pick their shows from the backwashed pool of reality shows? Not all reality shows are bad. The original Survior was good and so are Fear Factor and Road Rules.

The problem is that network executives have replaced the artists as decision makers behind the scenes. If you get a hit like Seinfeld, there will be 20 clones the next year. American Idol has huge success so now we have Fame, Star Search and a million other clone shows. Until we get creative people back into the positions to make proramming decisions, TV will continue to get worse.

The biggest problem of all is the dumbed-down viewing audience that watches this crap.

What I want to know is... who watches this crap? I don't know anyone who does. How is it popular?

Oh, and not to nitpicky (or maybe I am...) Star Search was out a long time ago, it's just being redone. I used to watch the original when I was a kid... saw people like Britney Spears perform before they got older and hit it "Big."

Reality tv shows are poor excuses for entertainment. You're right grazzhoppa, all I see are a bunch of uptight drama queens yelling at eachother and slutty tramps trying to do every other guy on the show (and vice versa). Who needs that? I'll take my porn over that garbage any day. At least I'll get to see boobies.

The problem with reality shows is that it causes the participants a lot of mental and emotional damage.
I don't think most of them are aware of the enormous angst and depression that can follow by being filmed all day and then not knowing what they will show on tv, how you will be portrayed.
I think these kind of shows should take a break and some investigation on how it effects the participants should be done before they continue. But the tv companies are only interested in making money, so I doubt they would care. Because people watch these things and want to see more and more and want to interact with the people on tv, it has the potentials of becoming a live videogame with flesh and blood characters.