Is reality TV taking over our lives?

Every time I turn on the TV there seems to be more and more reality shows. Scripted shows seem to be dwindling. Is this a sign that reality is more intriguing than fiction? Perhaps people can relate to "real people" better than idealized worlds created by actors. Or possibly, it is the complete opposite. Maybe the reason for the rise of the reality show culture is that networks are running out of ideas for sitcoms and dramas. Also, reality shows are easy to film and are far more inexpensive to create. There is a huge number of people who would be ready and willing to make their reality show debut for free just so that they can have their "fifteen minutes" of fame.

It is amazing what people will do to be on TV. I can't imagine going on a show like "Fear Factor." There is no amount of money in the world that I would eat live roaches for or lay in a bed of tarantulas. Reality TV has been around for many years, however, it really seemed to gain popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. Shows like "The Real World" and "Laguna Beach" targeted a new audience of teenagers who latched on to this concept. They were able to easily relate to the characters depicted on TV and even had the hope of one day being on their own reality show. One of the biggest reality show mega-hits has been American Idol. It is hard to believe that it has already been on the air for almost 8 years. People can't seem to get enough of Simon's harsh critiques. Today, there are too many reality shows to count and many of them have outranked scripted shows.

I admit that despite the often insignificant plot lines of reality shows such as "Keeping Up with the Kardashian's" or "The Hills," there is something so intriguing about getting a glimpse into someone else's "real" life. As much as people mock these reality shows, they still tune in daily.