Reality TV has been a growing phenomenon since its explosion in the late 1990's/early 2000's. Reality shows have ranged from Big Brother to The Bachelor and Survivor. The Real World is one of the longest-running reality series in history with 26 seasons to date. The list of reality shows could go on forever, but what exactly do reality shows have to offer? Why is America so fascinated with the daily lives of "reality stars"? In an attempt to answer said questions, I began to reflect on my own reality TV vices...
I am not proud to admit this, but The Bad Girls Club is a "reality" show that I have been a ridiculously avid fan of since season 1. Over the years and various seasons, I have seen the chosen girls evolve from "bad" to "worse" to absolute train wreck. The season 8 premier aired this Monday night, and I found myself swaddled on my couch at 8:59 p.m. giddy with anticipation for the 9:00 introduction of this season's "bad girls". Embarrassing I know, but I'm addicted. Soon after the premier, I began to reflect on the past 7 seasons in an attempt to find out why the hell I even watch this show. I get so much flak from my friends, family and peers for watching The Bad Girls Club so I decided to look inside myself for some answers. And guess what? I really didn't find any convincing arguements...
I have come to the conclusion that I do not have one valid arguement as to why I watch this show besides the entertainment factor. I do not look up to these girls, nor do I envy them, nor do I ever want to be included in their "club". I guess I just get a kick out of the outrageously amazing things that happen within the walls of The Bad Girls house, knowing that the things I see on the show will in all actuality, never happen in my life. It's ironic to say that I watch "reality" shows as an escape from my reality. Not that my life is boring in the least bit, but on a Monday night I typically don't get belligerently drunk and pull my roommates hair extensions out because she was a "skanky betch" and destroyed my favorite pair of Jimmy Choo's when she was prancing around in the club wearing them last Saturday.
My inner reflection revealed this about Americans: we like crazy. We want to watch trashy reality TV because we can. We're American damnit. We enjoy watching physically attractive people with heinous personalities destroy other physically attractive people's belongings. We want to know just how many shots it takes to get to the center of someones drinking problem. We want to watch "bad girls" act like they're all that and a bag of chips because it's entertaining and we don't really act like that when we go out in public. So as long as we are continually entertained by reality stars and their antics, whether "real" or not, reality TV will continue to reign supreme in the American arena of pop culture awesomeness!!
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