# Is reality TV a fad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 29, 2009, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300 "2009-11-29T02:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/21 "2009-11-29T18:29:05Z")
In a way we’ve come full circle with scripted mockumentary shows based on Reality TV like _The Office_. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/22 "2009-11-29T18:40:01Z")
I thought it was when it started. I had hoped it was. It is clear it is here to stay. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/23 "2009-11-29T19:17:06Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > gives people the illusion that anyone can be a star if they are lucky enough Or promoted enough. Kevin & Bean on KROQ said they could make a potato famous – and set out to prove it. ISTR they got it onto _Seinfeld_. . ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/24 "2009-11-29T21:20:49Z")
You guys are missing one piece of the reality tv puzzle - the narcissism epidemic that the U.S. is currently undergoing. The people on tv who score the highest for narcissism are reality tv “stars.” Combine that with cheap production costs and all the narcissists at home watching, dreaming about their chance for fame, and I don’t see reality tv going away any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2009, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/25 "2009-11-29T22:21:51Z")
Reality TV people are never going on strike so that’s another plus for the TV networks. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/26 "2009-11-30T02:50:32Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I think about where it started. Was it shows like “Cops” and “The Real World” that got the ball rolling, (what else before those could be considered “reality TV”)? I would say it’s here to stay as long as TV’s around. I mean the internet’s made it so people can offer, (and get) “reality” for free. Most of it sucks, but it’s cheap and people will watch. No, it’s more like **An American Family**. However, as I said, current reality shows are generally game shows – you compete to win a prize – and that started with **Survivor**. The shows are so cheap to produce that they’ll always be around. You don’t need great ratings to make a profit. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/27 "2009-11-30T04:38:16Z")
Whale Wars? I thought that was considered one of the lamer reality shows. “Let’s throw the stinky butter at them!” ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/28 "2009-11-30T16:36:31Z")
I think reality TV is here to stay but the viewing public will be demanding better quality. The barrage of crap “follow the celebrity couple around” (Nick & Jessica, The Beckhams, Bill Rancic & some chick, Travis Barker & wife, Carmen Electra & Dave Navarro, Peter Brady & nutty chick, etc. etc.) shows are probably coming to an end thankfully. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300/29 "2009-11-30T17:46:41Z")
A couple weeks ago, I stumbled across an old VHS copy of “Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire?” I had taped for my girlfriend at the time and smirked to remember people proclaiming reality TV “dead” in the ‘scandal’ that followed it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-reality-tv-a-fad/519300.md?page=1)