I've had it up to here (picture me with my hand to my neck) with these "reality" shows.  I'm talking about any show where someone has to be (dramatically) "kicked out", "voted off", or simply rejected Yeah, they signed up for it, but is this really necessary? Because misery gets high ratings, does it mean that it becomes law?    

            There is one common element in these shows. Somebody wins…eventually, but first there's got to be a lot of losers. It's not just the fact that they lose; they must first be ridiculed, lectured, and all this on national TV. There are always these segments where someone is singled out and publicly shunned for not satisfying whoever is judging them, and turned away; an outcast that is no longer needed, wanted or welcome. Call me silly, but I believe this to be just plain mean. Personally, I don't give a rat's ass about these people. It's just that I feel sad that it's on TV for everyone to devour like so much McDonald's.

            I feel that this trend in so-called "reality television" is conditioning people away from their natural social behavior, which, in my opinion, would be more disposed toward love, togetherness, teamwork, and strong community bonds.

            Has anyone stopped to think of what messages are being given to the children of the parents who watch show after show with this repeating torment? Does it teach them that they shouldn't "rock the boat"? Does it teach them to obey the group and ignore the individual? Does it teach them that it's OK to judge people? Does it de-sensitize them to cruelty?

            Why are there so many shows like this? Why is there so much airtime devoted to it? Why are people so drawn to it? These shows have about as much to do with reality then Greenday does to Jazz. People don't really act like that.  I've heard it said, and I agree wholeheartedly, that if you wanted reality, then look out a fucking window.