REALITY TV...WHAT ATTRACTS PEOPLE TO IT?

Interesting question. Personally, I consider them a bore.

I don't watch them, but as a level 43 people-watcher, I have to wonder.

I have sat in on a few in bits and pieces. I truly don't know why people watch them.

I'm a visual\audio learner - I can take in just about anything and figure an way to learn or be entertained by it.

To watching or to being in it? (There was just an article in the NYT that they're having a much harder time casting these things than they used to.)

Mapleleaf -- I have often wondered the same thing. For me, it's an immediate turn-off. What makes this stuff popular with the 'general viewing audience' is a deep mystery to me.

So much of what makes it to the tube is related to the age group who spends the most money. Being 63, I am at least one generation beyond. I suspect my brain sees life differently.

I'm a little surprised at these answers. It seems like almost everyone I know can't wait for their reality TV shows. I watched one episode of "Survivor" and one episode of "Fear Factor", and that was enough for me. Looks like, so far, the answers here are pretty much in agreement with my thoughts.

I think the attraction for some is a voyeurism type of thing. Also, at least when they started, reality TV was a fairly new concept. It had been done, but not on the scale that it is done these days, and it was a change from the same old sitcoms, police and hospital dramas and much of the other same old, same old stuff we see week after week.

chat,
I concur. Re TV, something works and the immitations drown us.

Maple -- maybe age is a factor. I'm a year older than you.

I read in Time magazine today that the networks are getting out of the reality business. Nary a one scheduled for next season.

What? No Survivor? Hurray!!!

Amen