I heard on TV that 50 percent of Television now is all reality! I do love American Idol only reality I watch. There are hardly any new sitcoms on now its almost all reality! I cant stand the fact a high rated show like Reba was canceled for the likes of Americas top model? It just seems like to me tv is in no way as good as it was in the 80s or early 90s. Does anyone agree?:)

I grew up way back in the late fifties and early sixties. We only had three
networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) and yet had more choices than we have today:
westerns, variety shows, sitcoms, adventure shows, cartoons, game shows
.. and, yes, we had "reality" shows then (they just weren't called that). But
what else would you call TED MACK'S AMATEUR HOUR, YOU ASKED FOR IT, and THIS IS YOUR LIFE? And the nature program WILD KINGDOM was arguably the best "reality" show of the sixties.

To be honest, more than half the time nowadays I watch videos or DVDs.
There's a handful of scripted shows that I watch on a regular basis (no
reality shows). Unfortunately (for writers, actors and viewers), the "reality
show" trend shows no signs of going away. Just the opposite. They are
becoming more prevalent than ever.

I hate reality TV with a passion. Thank goodness that a lot of good sitcoms/dramas are available on DVD. I watch those instead. Except for the news and Jay Leno, I rarely watch broadcast TV anymore.

A friend and I were talking about this a few days ago. With all the Reality Shows out these days, you don't see many sitcoms anymore. I like some of the Reality shows, but alot of them are just unwatchable.

I hate reality TV with a passion. Thank goodness that a lot of good sitcoms/dramas are available on DVD. I watch those instead. Except for the news and Jay Leno, I rarely watch broadcast TV anymore.

same here, Monika. i'm not sure, but it seemed that after the first 'survivor' every network tried to copy it. same as dancing with the stars. that was supposed to be a speacial. the ratings were so big they turned it into a tv show and the other networks tried to copy it.
when marie osment passed out on dancing with the stars, they showed that over and over on Fox News, the E! Channel and every other network that wasn't Nick or Disney. i'm glad she's alright, but who cares?
BRING BACK THE COMEDY!!

reality tv is overrated as hell and i'm sick of it. thank goodness we have the choice NOT to watch any of it. if anything, it is partly because of reality tv that there aren't as many sitcoms being produced nowadays. it has killed the production of almost all scripted tv- although i don't care much for dramas anyway. as the only tv shows i prefer are cartoons and sitcoms

Not only do I dislike reality TV, but there are hundreds of channels available on cable and about 5 (not even) re-run older sitcoms and programs. On my DISH Network, I go through about 200 channels and I can't find anything interesting at all.

With the exception of American Idol, I don't watch much, if any, reality TV.
I don't watch any of TV Land's new "reality" programming. I'd rather watch my DVD's.

I grew up way back in the late fifties and early sixties. We only had three
networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) and yet had more choices than we have today:
westerns, variety shows, sitcoms, adventure shows, cartoons, game shows
.. and, yes, we had "reality" shows then (they just weren't called that). But
what else would you call TED MACK'S AMATEUR HOUR, YOU ASKED FOR IT, and THIS IS YOUR LIFE? And the nature program WILD KINGDOM was arguably the best "reality" show of the sixties.

To be honest, more than half the time nowadays I watch videos or DVDs.
There's a handful of scripted shows that I watch on a regular basis (no
reality shows). Unfortunately (for writers, actors and viewers), the "reality
show" trend shows no signs of going away. Just the opposite. They are
becoming more prevalent than ever.
That's what I have been posting on other threads. We only had three networks, one public station (PBS) three local channels and one spanish channel. Oh, and one channel that aired snow. :lol: And yet we had so much to look forward to on television. Daytime was all abt game shows, soap operas, syndicated sitcoms or dramas, no back-to-back airings of shows either, no reality tv existed. In the afternoon it was all abt cartoons and more syndicated tv shows. We had kid shows, shows geared towards adults, etc. The memories...:(

Darn shame how many great shows are getting the shaft treatment thanks to the way TV execs shove all these junky reality garbage hooplas in our faces by running promos for them over and over and over again.

And that is part of why we have the annoying split-screen, credit crunches on TV these days, just for those promos for those garbage reality shows.

NBC was to blame for starting the whole wave of credit-crunched and generically, compressed split-screen credits.

CBS is to blame for nearly ruining the great GS comeback that ABC started back up in 1999-2000 w/ Millionaire by getting frickin' "Survivor" and then having all these other networks and cable networks following the trend.

FOX is to blame for axing some of the much better shows for more smut shows like "Moment of Truth" and "American Idol."

That's why I barely have time to even watch much TV these days since it's now a total wasteland w/ the junky reality shows from VH1, a.k.a. Viacom Hooplas 1, credit crunched, speed-ups, countless annoying promos, 5 minute commercials, etc.

About the only time (besides GS's and certain other shows and the news) I even watch is to watch a few sports every now and then.

The only reality TV shows I like are Dancing With The Stars, Survivor, and Celebrity Apprentice. I do think there are way too many reality shows on the networks.

I completely agree with that; TV is not what it used to be. The best days are over. I think it's a shame the sitcom has died, but there's no beating the classics, and as long as I can still watch re run after re run of those, I'm happy. I would say I hate reality tv but at the same time I'm guilty of watching American Idol, Top Model, and some of the celebrity garbage like My Fair Brady, and Girls Of the Playboy Mansion. What's with the celebrity reality shows? It seems everyone jumps on this bandwagon, as if they aren't in our face enough!

I think there are two issues. I firmly believe that the billion dollar sports contract that networks pay to carry the Olympics and major league and college sports is siphoning money away from producing good quality programming. It costs money to produce a good quality series.

Second, I think that sitcoms just are not as popular today than they were a number of years ago. This is because American interests change and TV reflects those interests. Some will argue that TV shapes those interests, but I believe it to be the other way around. It seems to me that during times of stress, Americans seem to favor sitcoms. It is also true that the popularity of genre shift. Reality TV dominates, but a few years ago it was game shows. Before that adult oriented cartoons; before that crime dramas, etc.

It also true that not all reality TV is crap, though a lot of it is. Dancing with the Stars was very good entertainment (though it is now getting a bit stale). I enjoyed Celebrity Duos. When the Real World first debuted, it was innovative TV. BBC America established itself with Ground Force (loved that show) and Changing Rooms. Charlie Demerick became somewhat of a phenomenon in America.

I wouldn't mind reality tv as much if the networks would just put on a wide variety of shows. As tv star collector said we used to have only 3 networks and I never felt one genre was dominating over another. Yes sitcoms were very popular but if you look at what else was on, dramas, westerns, variety shows and the like were all represented. I used to love Real People and That's Incredible. They tried to copy them too but nothing like it is today. Today they just throw anything out there and it doesn't matter if it's good or not. If it fails they'll throw something else out there at us.

....Second, I think that sitcoms just are not as popular today than they were a number of years ago. This is because American interests change and TV reflects those interests. Some will argue that TV shapes those interests, but I believe it to be the other way around. It seems to me that during times of stress, Americans seem to favor sitcoms. It is also true that the popularity of genre shift. Reality TV dominates, but a few years ago it was game shows. Before that adult oriented cartoons; before that crime dramas, etc.
.

its not just because people's viewing habits have changed, but the tv industry seems to have given up on scripted tv shows such as sitcoms, because a) reality shows are cheap to produce, b) the wages these people earn are much less than those of the actors playing characters on tv- hell most don't even get paid to go on reality tv shows and c) they give the impression that anyone can do anything to be on tv and to get their record contract or whatever, in the short space of say 3 months, as opposed to 3, 4 years or more of actual experience.

the state of tv before reality TV arrived was fine and now, it has gone downhill. rarely do i watch a current tv show- ugly betty being the main programme i tune into.

for me i avoid reality, not just because it is cheap but it is also sooo damn boring to sit through

I wouldn't mind reality tv as much if the networks would just put on a wide variety of shows. As tv star collector said we used to have only 3 networks and I never felt one genre was dominating over another. Yes sitcoms were very popular but if you look at what else was on, dramas, westerns, variety shows and the like were all represented. I used to love Real People and That's Incredible. They tried to copy them too but nothing like it is today. Today they just throw anything out there and it doesn't matter if it's good or not. If it fails they'll throw something else out there at us.

fair point. i suppose that in hindsight, this wouldn't bother me as much had there been less reality tv programmes and more sitcoms, variety shows, cartoons etc. that way, we'd get not just a good mixture of shows, but that we get a good balance of tv shows out there. the tv people assume that what they are delivering to the public is what the public wants to see, when in truth it is the total opposite to that

its not just because people's viewing habits have changed, but the tv industry seems to have given up on scripted tv shows such as sitcoms, because a) reality shows are cheap to produce, b) the wages these people earn are much less than those of the actors playing characters on tv- hell most don't even get paid to go on reality tv shows and c) they give the impression that anyone can do anything to be on tv and to get their record contract or whatever, in the short space of say 3 months, as opposed to 3, 4 years or more of actual experience.

the state of tv before reality TV arrived was fine and now, it has gone downhill. rarely do i watch a current tv show- ugly betty being the main programme i tune into.

for me i avoid reality, not just because it is cheap but it is also sooo damn boring to sit through


I do not disagree with the economics, but let's look that the weekly grid of CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW. Leaving Sat night out because I don't think it is actually scheduled anymore - reality TV accounts for only about 12 hours of the enitre schedule. That is 12 out of 72 hours. (I am excluding game shows from reality TV because I think they should be their own genre.) Comedies account for 11.5 hours. Dramas are really the dominant genre accounting for 30 hours of programming. That is not to say that the quality of these dramas or sitcoms is good, but that in terms of overall air time, scripted dramas dominate.

I do not disagree with the economics, but let's look that the weekly grid of CBS, NBC, FOX, and CW. Leaving Sat night out because I don't think it is actually scheduled anymore - reality TV accounts for only about 12 hours of the enitre schedule. That is 12 out of 72 hours. (I am excluding game shows from reality TV because I think they should be their own genre.) Comedies account for 11.5 hours. Dramas are really the dominant genre accounting for 30 hours of programming. That is not to say that the quality of these dramas or sitcoms is good, but that in terms of overall air time, scripted dramas dominate.

okay, that may be the case in the US, but where i am from in the UK, reality tv dominates the schedules 7 days a week with both british AND american shows. and whereas those hours are less, the truth is you cannot tune into an entertainment-based channel which does NOT screen reality programming because they are almost on every main entertainment channel- be it e! or any of the main networks fox, cbs, especially

okay, that may be the case in the US, but where i am from in the UK, reality tv dominates the schedules 7 days a week with both british AND american shows. and whereas those hours are less, the truth is you cannot tune into an entertainment-based channel which does NOT screen reality programming because they are almost on every main entertainment channel- be it e! or any of the main networks fox, cbs, especially

I agree reality shows are cheap to make and they are everywhere. Many exploit the worst in human nature - cops and jail, for example. Others I just not understand - survivor, the bachelor and would never watch. I do however equally believe that there are some good reality shows out there. Ground Force used to be one of my favorite shows. I enjoyed Celebrity Duos. I do however think these shows have a half-life and most are nearing it. In American TV, several years ago, Who wants to be a Millionaire arguably saved ABC. All of a sudden there were game shows everywhere in primetime (Show me the money, 1 vs. 100, deal or not deal, game show spree - a different classic game show every night, etc., etc.) Game shows did not last long in prime time - many just died quietly.

At one time, networks were actually scheduled - CBS had monday night with smart, sophisticated, understated comedies - Northern Exposure, Evening Shade, Designing Women. ABC had their TGIF filled with family friendly comedies - Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, etc. NBC had their urban comedies on Thursday nights - Cheers, Friends, Seinfeld, and "women's" comedies on Sat night - Golden Girls, Nurses, Empty Nest, etc. Even cable networks had SciFri on Showtime and FOX. Fox had it adult cartoons on Sun night.

Tell me one network that has a readily identifiable night anymore. The real problem is no one is programming TV anymore.

^ :clap Bravo! My sentiments exactly.

I agree reality shows are cheap to make and they are everywhere. Many exploit the worst in human nature - cops and jail, for example. Others I just not understand - survivor, the bachelor and would never watch. I do however equally believe that there are some good reality shows out there. Ground Force used to be one of my favorite shows. I enjoyed Celebrity Duos. I do however think these shows have a half-life and most are nearing it. In American TV, several years ago, Who wants to be a Millionaire arguably saved ABC. All of a sudden there were game shows everywhere in primetime (Show me the money, 1 vs. 100, deal or not deal, game show spree - a different classic game show every night, etc., etc.) Game shows did not last long in prime time - many just died quietly.

At one time, networks were actually scheduled - CBS had monday night with smart, sophisticated, understated comedies - Northern Exposure, Evening Shade, Designing Women. ABC had their TGIF filled with family friendly comedies - Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, etc. NBC had their urban comedies on Thursday nights - Cheers, Friends, Seinfeld, and "women's" comedies on Sat night - Golden Girls, Nurses, Empty Nest, etc. Even cable networks had SciFri on Showtime and FOX. Fox had it adult cartoons on Sun night.

Tell me one network that has a readily identifiable night anymore. The real problem is no one is programming TV anymore.

no one in the tv industry is prepared to take a stand against reality tv and make a statement that supports (future) writers and creators of sitcoms for eg. they are not doing anything about it because they prefer to take the easy route to tv production, thus allowing the overhyped reality dirge to continue filling our screens, when one reality show is over, out comes the next one

no one in the tv industry is prepared to take a stand against reality tv and make a statement that supports (future) writers and creators of sitcoms for eg. they are not doing anything about it because they prefer to take the easy route to tv production, thus allowing the overhyped reality dirge to continue filling our screens, when one reality show is over, out comes the next one

I don't disagree, if it is not a new reality program, it is a behind the scenes look at a reality program. At the same time it is unfair to paint all reality programs with the same brush. Jail is no Ground Force, just as Cavemen is no I Love Lucy.

I agree with the subtext of your comments, that solid sitcom producers either do not have the clout or non-existent. There are very few people like Norman Lear or Gary Marshall. These men could and would stand up to the networks. Even someone as established as Linda Bloodworth-Thomason has very little clout. Look what happened to her 12 Miles of Bad Road.

Despite all that, there are some good sitcoms. Big Bang Theory is not a bad sitcom, though it does not yet have a mega-hit quality. I think it will take one strong, talented producer and a few mega-hits and sitcoms will be back on top.

My point that TV is no longer programmed is valid. Networks used to look for shows that could fit into their schedules. Not today, because they do not even know what their schedules are.

I don't think that reality tv is bad. I just think there is too much of it and not enough variety of sitcoms, etc like some others mentioned before in the thread.

I actually watch Beauty and the Geek, Moment of Truth, and game shows from time to time. There are some good and some bad.

The real problem is there is hardly any variety. And when they do make a variety then the quality of the sitcom, drama, or whatever isn't good.

So, really, tv networks should look into making a variety of quality programs so that there could be good reality, sitcoms, dramas, game shows. Not just each month a new show of bad quality on a different night at a different time and you never know when a new episode is. These are the problems so once tv shows have a variety that is of good quality and the network decides to make identifiable nights (like mentioned above) primetime tv will be saved, in my opinion.

Also, it is probably just a cycle. Like in the 90s it was mainly sitcoms, now reality, maybe in 10 years it will be all mini series or whatever. Who knows. It just depends on the cycle.

When is it going to stop??

Reality TV is cheap and quick to produce, that's why it's everywhere.

Not to mention the lowest form of entertainment. Takes no talent what so ever.

Hollywood ran out of original ideas years ago.This crap they peddle as reality TV is harmful to young viewers as it's just shock value garbage.Ever watch CNN Headline News?It's the same thing.It has no redeemable value to it whatsoever.TV has gotten steadily worse since the early 70's.

Hollywood ran out of original ideas years ago.This crap they peddle as reality TV is harmful to young viewers as it's just shock value garbage.Ever watch CNN Headline News?It's the same thing.It has no redeemable value to it whatsoever.TV has gotten steadily worse since the early 70's.

not only is it harmful to a certain extent but it doesn't teach people about life and morals, something that the likes of some dramas, sitcoms, old cartoons do- it is just an excuse for wannabes to get famous quick or celeb has-beens to ressurect their (dying) careers

Wow, makes me sad to think what the world will be like in a couple decades.

Wow, makes me sad to think what the world will be like in a couple decades.

here in the uk, there is a phrase called 'the gutter press', which refers to the tabloid newspapers. the tv equivalent is known as 'trash TV'- and trash is what most reality shows are. television today has lost the plot because idiots like simon fuller want to feed us this garbage and only care about getting rich.

you try asking a question about how reality tv has partly ruined television today to someone like simon cowell and he would've give a rats arse about it

here in the uk, there is a phrase called 'the gutter press', which refers to the tabloid newspapers. the tv equivalent is known as 'trash TV'- and trash is what most reality shows are. television today has lost the plot because idiots like simon fuller want to feed us this garbage and only care about getting rich.

you try asking a question about how reality tv has partly ruined television today to someone like simon cowell and he would've give a rats arse about it

How British of you

In part in America, high quality program have moved to pay television. Some of the most provacative programs and some of the more inventive have shown up on paid premium TV - Supranos, Dead Like Me, Weeds, Queer as Folk, the L Word, Deadwood, the wire. Though even HBO and Showtime seem to be in a lull lately. Other more quirky programs appear on cable TV, it is always sunny in Philadelphia, Monk. Other quality programming such as BSG expands the SciFi genre.

It is true that network TV has suffered from reality programming. There are some ok programs - I like Big Bang Theory (it's differrent and funny), but the truth is that there is not much must-see on TV.

I am very disappointed that 12 Miles of Bad Road did not get aired by HBO, so maybe the future is not paid YV.

I do not watch Reality Televison I like my Sitcoms and Dramas.

Showing my age, here, but I grew up watching the outstanding television programming beginning in the middle/late 50's and watched it continue to improve rapidly along its journey through the decades with the advancement of technology and with the help of course, from the vast number of brilliant-minded writers, producers and directors. I'm in my late 50's now, but I have always tried to keep and "open" mind regarding the television programming that we are currently being subjected to by refusing to allow my perception to become clouded from clinging to those "good ol' days" of television viewing that I adored and thus, base an opinion on comparisons. I have managed to change with the times and have thoroughly enjoyed many sitcoms, dramas, movies, etc., that have aired throughout each passing decade including our present one, from which there are some, but not as many, however, that I do enjoy watching. Possibly, it may be my age, but I just DON'T GET this exaggerated fascination and excitement for "Reality TV!" I realize everything is about chasing the almighty do$$ar in addition to "low" budgeting which obviously must be the determining factor for the abundance of this "reality" programming which is spreading like a virus to so many channels, that for those of us viewers who loathe the thought of watching even one second of it are finding our tuning options becoming more limited each week, it seems. For those who do enjoy this type of entertainment, I respect your desire to want to anticipate viewing it, although, I cannot nor ever will understand why that is....and yes, I DID attempt to "move into the times" by watching some episodes of "Survivor" and "Big Brother" during their initial years of airing, but I was not at all impressed and refused to drink the "coolade." Actually, I am not at all against the idea of airing "Reality TV" programs just for the fact that it does appeal to so many fans which is television's goal and it is enjoyable programming for those individuals, as well. My complaint is the growing number of channels which are airing this type of entertainment because, as I said, our options are becoming greatly reduced. So, where is this going to leave those of us viewers who do not share this enthusiasm for all forms of "Reality TV?" Is it's popularity going to continue to fester to the point of it creating a stranglehold effect on television producing and force those of us who oppose such viewing off to hit the power button on our set? I have read the many posts on this site from those who have already become frustrated to the point of watching more and more DVD's instead of the limited choice of television viewing that may interest them. Thank the television Gods for NOT infiltrating the sports channels {ESPN, Comcast, Fox Sports, etc.} and for still providing me with what I consider to be the ONLY "Reality" LIVE television viewing which is NOT scripted {although, some may disagree....see: NBA Officiating scandal! LOL}. But, yes, I know, sports may be the worst culprit of all when it comes to choking the life out of us viewers for the sake of cornering the market for the almighty buck. Well, it's an imperfect world and I hope that we never have to get to the point to where we say.... "well, do you remember when we had television as an outlet to get us through the bad times in life?"

I could never understand for the life of me, how "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills" is so popular that everyone from the show is now A list stars, same for "I Love New York", that woman is the most foulest, disrespectful, vain woman on T.V with no home training, but yet, people seem to love her.

I wonder who are idiots who keep giving Flavor Flav and Tila Tequila(an Myspace "queen", it really doesn't take a lot to get a million friends on that site.) dating shows? And don't get me started on brainless programming like "My Dad is better than Your Dad", "Your Momma don't Dance", and "Viva Hollywood". I'm also fed up with "The Real World", the first few seasons were wonderful, but then by 2002, right after Chicago, it was all about drunken brawls and hookups. and i'm also convinced that "American Idol" is just a karaoke contest, most of those kids can't sing and Paula Abdul has NO business judging a singing contest., "Dancing with the Stars" yes, but "AI", no.

The only reality shows I could stomach is "A Moment of Truth", "Keeping Up with the Kardashians", "The Girls Next Door", and "Kimora, Life in the Fast Lane"

I agree with the person here who said that there should be a network devoted
to nothing but reality shows. That could be the home for all of them (except,
perhaps, for one or two of the most popular ones). Having observed television for 50+ years now, I've noticed that every time there is a hot
trend, spurred by one popular show, there is a proliferation of that type of
programming. It happened with westerns, with medical shows, with prime-
time cartoons, and now reality shows. Usually, the trend goes away
eventually. This cycle--I believe--will end .. when enough viewers
grow tired of it.

I just watch a couple reality shows, Survivor and Big Brother. I don't watch shows like American Idol and Dancing With The Stars, stuff like that is crap. I have seen some outtakes from the current American Idol, that one kid that's on there, Archuleta, he is one annoying little punk. He is no idol of mine, that's for damn sure. I have seen drunks in a tavern who can sing better than that. With all the regular shows being garbage nowadays, reality shows had to come along to fill the void. There is not one current regular TV show that is worth watching. The sitcoms are in terribly poor taste with awful writing, sexual innuendos are what usually pass for laughs. And the dramas and cop shows are even worse with over the top violence and foul language. I say yank all these shows off the air and put all these prima donna actors and writers out of their jobs. They are all a disgrace. Almost every TV show made from 1977 and after is junk. The classic age of TV was from the 1950's to the mid 70's. After that, the whole industry started going downhill.

On my DISH Network, I go through about 200 channels and I can't find anything interesting at all.

Which is sad. Like that Bruce Springstein song, 57 Channels and Nothing On. Only now it's 400 Channels and Nothing On.

here in the uk, there is a phrase called 'the gutter press'

Isn't that where most reality contestants came from, the gutters?

The only reality shows I watch are on the Outdoor Channel, History, Military Channel, and similar channels.

Isn't that where most reality contestants came from, the gutters?

:lol:

I like America's Most Wanted and Biggest Loser. I watched a couple episodes of High School Reunion, but they changed to much from when it used to air on The WB. And as of late I've been taking peeks at Rob & Big on MTV/MTV2. Certain episodes of MTV's TRUE LIFE also appeal to me. Okay I also like them car chase shows on TRU-TV/Spike TV. And To Catch A Theif on Discovery.

Right now there are way too many Dancing Shows. We got 'em now on ABC, FOX, LIFETIME, Bravo, and I think even Nickelodeon.

i totally agree with the person who said no morals are shown on TV any more (except on Disney and Nick.) MTV/VH1 are prime examples. My Super Sweet 16 shows spoiled brats running around town, talking on Blackberries they got a few days before the "Big Day" and they still have a mound of presents waiting for them at the party spot. And if the littlest thing goes wrong at the party, they have an emotional break down. Kids see this and think they need to do this to be "cool" and to "fit in." Don't get me started on 'Moment of Truth"!
And seriously, who cares what celeb are doing? I don't care who Paris Hilton wants as her friend. What happened to those promises after she got sprung from the can?
This what our world is coming to and it's sad and I pray it goes away soon. Right now, I just don't watch it. I have reruns and DVDs. Altho I do watch 'AI' (check out the siggy)
BTW, I remember TGIF. I would watch that show with the Olsen twins (I forget what it's called) every week.

i think the ideal thing to do, just in case it upsets reality tv fans, is to take every single reality tv show from every network and put them all on their on reality tv channel. that way, they wouldn't unneccessarily clog up the schedules and we get to watch our sitcoms, dramas etc

i think the ideal thing to do, just in case it upsets reality tv fans, is to take every single reality tv show from every network and put them all on their on reality tv channel. that way, they wouldn't unneccessarily clog up the schedules and we get to watch our sitcoms, dramas etc

yes! that way everybody's happy. Fox already has a reality network. It's time others do the same!

I am agreement with everything on this thread.
Scoobie, I also don't watch reality shows (other than Cops or such). And that is only because I've been there and no that it is 98% real.
No way can i be convinced that the reality shows are "reality". Call me skepticbut it all looks choreographed to me.
Goingghostal, I, too, am 55+ and proud of it. Proud to agree that we did have great shows in the years past. With the exception of "Married with Children" and Everybody Loves Raymond" I consider classic TV to be more than 20 years old.
Some of the trash that execs seem to consider classic is seemingly geared toward a group of younger viewers that need a break from their handheld games.
I may be wrong in this but does anyone recall a game show aired a few years back on TVLand about "#1 Fan"? I believe the "winning contestant" was a slightly overweight (hehe) guy made up to look like a geek, with black rimmed glasses and porkchop sideburns, etc. Months later I think I saw him in a TVLand promo (cleaned up to semi-normal) and he is actually an executive member of TVLand.
Do I smell fish?

Cops is reality. "Reality" shows are only called that because they don't have professional actors in them. They're still scripted. It's sad and pathetic that they are even called reality.

I can't stand reality tv either! In fact, none of the sitcoms and dramas that air these days are worth watching. I prefer my DVD collection versus watching primetime network TV anyday.