Reality shows a cheap way to entertain

They're cheap to make and millions of people like to watch them. Put a few camera-men with some real people, maybe in a weird or dangerous setting, and a few weeks later you have new famous people and hundreds of water cooler conversations. Almost every network has a popular reality-based show. The only problem is, sometimes they work, but most of the time they don't. "The Osbournes" worked, but the Anna Nicole Smith show will be crap if it's not on Skinemax. So, here's what shows work and why. "30 Seconds to Fame"
This is probably the most promising show, but already they have made way too many mistakes. The concept is this: people try to earn fame by performing 30 seconds for a crowd, which will later vote on the performance. There are fire-eaters, rapping grandmas and contortionists. What's so great about this show is that it combines the hilarity of the "Gong Show" with the freak show of "Ripley's Believe it Or Not." But the best part is that the performers are only on stage for 30 seconds, thus making us want more (or less), but never losing our attention (since America's attention span is just around a half-minute anyway). The first mistake they have made is that with their first show a singer won the $25,000 prize. A singer? This is supposed to be a freak show. There was a guy that could compose amazing songs on a floor piano while bounce-juggling six balls and a European rapper that sounded a bit like Right Said Fred, but without talent. And these people were voted off because a lady sounded like Aretha Franklin. "Fame" needs more street performers and freak show acts, and let's keep the real talent out of the spotlight. "Meet the Marks"
"Candid Camera" meets the Cleavers. A family (made of improv actors) invites guests to their house, plumbers and hair stylists etc., and crazy situations involving affairs and whip cream ensue. The first problem is that the situations are preposterous. The reactions are very real, but the overall feedback says, "This has to be a television show. "The second problem is that the "improv" actors aren't any good. The "daughter" is really hot, but other than that they need some work. Now, if Fox could convince the guys on "Whose Line is it Anyway," to jump ship, the show might just have something. "Fear Factor"
This is a pretty good show, but after ten risks that take place a hundred feet in the air, or that involve eating some type of bug, you've seen them all. I did see the other day that contestants were eating undeveloped duck eggs, and that was pretty gross. How animal rights groups haven't gotten the show off the air yet, I don't know. The only other problem with the show is the commercials. I haven't timed it, but it seems that I've spent more time watching those horrible Ford commercials with Bill Ford talking about his dad camping with the President than actually watching the show. And by the way my dad has camped with the President too. Well, he once passed out on the White House lawn. "American Idol"
Now that Eejay is gone from the top ten, I have few gripes with this show. Actually the only problem with this show is that Paula Abdul is too sweet. Everyone hates Simon, but Simon is what makes the show great. And however mean he is, he is totally honest. He knows what he is talking about, and when he does like someone, he praises them even more than he berates them. Now just get rid of the two no-talent hosts and this show could possibly be one of the best on television. "Dog Eat Dog/Spy TV/The Mole II/Big Brother 3"
I haven't seen any of these shows ever, and the reason why is because I already know that they will suck. I hear "The Mole" is pretty good, but I watch enough reality television already. The other shows are too similar to some of the others I have mentioned in this article. The only way these shows will get better is by adding puppets making crank phone calls or adding a bi-polar Mafia Don to the mix. Other than that, stop wasting our time. Some of these shows are watchable, but only because nothing else is on. TV is at a low-point right now, but soon it will rise again and produce great shows like "Growing Pains." I guess I'll just have to start watching "Meet My Folks," which does look promising. I remember when I met my girlfriend's folks and the hilarity still hasn't stopped, but that's another article.