It is true-- I am a reality TV junkie. And I have been one for a long, long time. In my defense, I am very picky about which reality TV shows I waste my time on. And I know I am not alone, we ALL waste time on things! Sometimes it is "junk" viewing (TV), "junk" reading (books or magazines), "junk" surfing (the Internet), "junk gaming", or whatever else features your guilty pleasure.
I read somewhere last summer that there are two "approaches" to reality TV: 1) some shows are based on interactions between individuals competing for a prize (ex. "Survivor", "Big Brother", "The Biggest Loser") or 2) other shows entice you to watch individuals in either a fabricated situation (ex. "The Real World", "Jersey Shore") or as a kind of real-life documentary (ex. "Jon & Kate Plus Eight", "The Cake Boss","Living with the Kardashians"). When I mentally scrolled through my favorite shows, I found that I watch a little bit of both. Bill scowls at my affinity for reality TV shows. But then I bring up WOW (World of Warcraft) and we politely agree to disagree.
Honestly, if I didn't have a LIFE-- there would be plenty of reality TV shows to watch day & night. Instead, I pick a couple to follow each season and that takes care of my "craving". Currently, my inner reality TV junkie is very, very happy. I may have too many shows to watch! Here are a few of my favorites:
1) "Survivor", Season 20--Heroes vs. Villains:
I have been a loyal "Survivor" fan from the beginning. And I love "all-star" competitions where the contestants are returning to go after the prize... again. This season pits some of the most likeable contestants against others that you (perhaps) loved to hate. Thank goodness that Sugar was just voted off the show-- what a waste of a "Hero"! I would love for James, Rupert or Stephanie to win.
2) "The Amazing Race", Season 16:
This show is exciting to watch as pairs of individuals race from destination to destination around the world. It feeds my love for travel! The first episode airs tomorrow night, but already I am rooting for Jeff and Jordan-- reality TV sweethearts from last summer's "Big Brother"!
3) "The Real World, Washington, D.C.":
MTV was the inventor of reality TV with the creation of "Real World, New York City". I was raising babies when this show premiered sometime in the 1980's-- I watched it during naptime when they would run a mini-marathon to get new viewers. I have watched many seasons since then-- it was funny when my teenagers began watching it too. I must have some kind of built-in quality control, because I thought "Real World, Hollywood" and "Real World, Mexico" were too trashy to watch.
4) Both "Project Runway" and "Shear Genius" satisfy my inner creative diva:
I love the design challenges! However, I detest Heidi Klum and the fake tans of the "Project Runway" judges.
Same comment, different show! I love the hair challenges but hate the new supermodel hostess and the Botox-injected judges of "Shear Genius".
Seriously, I can say "NO" to some reality TV shows. For example, I just revealed that I have been a long-term viewer of "The Real World" but I refuse to watch the new MTV "Jersey Shore". During the summer months, I enjoy watching "So You Think You Can Dance", but I don't like "Dancing With The Stars" at all. I used to be a regular viewer of "American Idol" but my heart just hasn't been into it the last few years (I think the whole show is rigged now). I love the strategic plotting on "Survivor" but you can't pay me to watch 20 women fighting over one man in "The Bachelor".
And here is one of my new reality TV shows from last year, "Top Chef, Las Vegas":
I do not enjoy cooking, but I do love watching contestants cook! Maybe I am also a secret "foodie" (=someone who lives for great food), because I drool over some of the dishes that are created during each challenge. Natasha & I were both rooting for the Voltaggio brothers, Bryan & Michael:
The older brother, Bryan, was an established restaurant owner while his maverick, younger brother, Michael, was determined to make a name for himself. Michael ended up winning the season, with Bryan coming in second. This cast of competitors was one of their best seasons yet!
Maybe you are a reality TV junkie too. If so, we should talk "characters" sometime...
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