Reality TV has gone too far...

I am trying to remember when all this insane Reality TV started. I know there have always been game shows and some of the Late Night talk shows would involve audience members in small bits between guest, but today it seems like the Reality TV nightmare had taken over my Cable TV (I just realized that there is an entire cable network channel devoted to Reality shows, and I believe I heard something about an actual award show??? WTF!)

I have to confess that although I am bitching about it... I do watch a few shows. My daughter and I have a ritual each with that involves popcorn and Dancing With The Stars (but I would use the term "stars" lightly). She also likes watching The Biggest Loser (probably taking notes on diet tips for her mom). I have seen that show Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader (I am not...) And back in the day, I was a big Real World fan (way back in the day).

I remember watching the first season of American Idol. This was back when it was a real competition, not a huge infomercial for Ford. Before the "niche" was to bring on those people that have no singing ability and make fun of them on national television. Yes, I have not watched another season of AI since it's Kelly Clarkson days.

I read today that a former "contestant", who was obsessed with Paula Abdul (again, WTF?) was found dead in her car outside of Paula's house in Calli. On several websites and on a few high quality entertainment news shows (okay.. I can't even type that without laughing) this was a top story. Sadly, there didn't appear to be much sympathy for the person that died. No sympathy for any friends or family that are probably distraught over losing someone close to them. No, what we see is a clip from her AI audition, where she is obviously on TV only for "entertainment value". I know that some people do go out for those shows in hopes of getting that 15 minutes of fame (whether it's a good or bad 15 minutes), but obviously this woman had some issues. This is not entertainment, at least not to me.

Okay... I will get down from my soapbox... for now.