Real fake reality

Am I the only person that doesn't watch these idiotic reality shows?  Look, I realize they are cheap to produce and quick to make.  I believe it's a product of the TV industry running out of ideas.  On top of that, it's an opportunity for any person with below average intelligence to get their fifteen minutes of fame.  I remember when aspiring actors went to Hollywood and had to work their way up through the acting ranks, or were "discovered" to become the famous actors we hear about today.  Not anymore.  Just act a fool on some low-budget slopfest on pretty much any network today, and it seems any slobbering nitwit will watch.  My belief is that these shows insult our intelligence, "American Idol" included, yet most people don't even know it.

Let's look at "Idol" for a moment.  Remember William Hung?  He was so awful, yet no one could turn away, and we all knew he had a snowball's chance of winning.  Then something unbelievable happened.  He became an overnight sensation.  A superstar.  Why?  Because he was so awful, and we as Americans, didn't feel sorry for him, we celebrated it.  Were we mocking him, or did people really feel this guy should have deserved a chance to get some kind of recording contract?  Whatever you believed, he still went on to get a recording contract, and people still came out to see him when whenever he made an appearance at the local mall.

Obviously these shows take no thought to watch or understand, and maybe that's a good thing after a hard day at work or with the kids.  Maybe we need a little mindless entertainment, but do we need so much of it that it's starting to drown out the quality shows that are already out there or that will never get a chance to be produced?

MTV has cornered the market on "reality TV," and I wouldn't even call these shows all that real.  Here's an example: You are at family birthday party, holiday event, reunion and someone is walking around with a videocamera.  Do you just go about your businsess of talking to the people around you and ignore the camera, or do you usually ham it, make faces, talk in a different voice, crack jokes, make fun of the people around you?

My point is that whenever a camera is placed in a normal situation, that situation ceases to be normal, whether it's for a simple family video or TV.  In other words, reality TV is not reality TV.  Allegedly, the MTV reality show "The Hills" was semi-scripted to make it more interesting for the viewer.

I can tell you, that America would not want to watch a day-in-the life of my life unless there was some made-up drama in it.  Otherwise they would be using my show for insomnia.