Reality TV - Why?

The question of today is about "Reality TV". I am sure that most people can name at least two or three of these shows, heck are shows for just about any taste out there from people stating why they shouldn't have to pay for the car they wrecked to the pinnacle of cuisine.

Some of these shows are just a bunch of cameras placed in a house to watch what everyone will do - Mr Orwell? Have you seen this? We have a whole fist full of cooking competitions - 3 or 4 of them hosted by an abusive, pompus Brit. For those who are looking for adventure we have the continuing saga of Survivor - maybe one of seasons, someone is really going to keel over and die. Fear Factor, The Amazing Race, Jersy Shore, The "Real" Housewives of ....., the list goes on and on.



For the most part, I find them without any sort of redeeming value, take Survivor for one. This show has been going on for what, 25 seasons? They can now have a season that pits all of the winners against each other, not that it would make much of a difference, every season its the same thing. The same 2 groups of people, doing the same things to each other to get ahead so that they can win the $1mil, until it gets down to the last 3, who always have to do some big soul search about the 17 people they have walked over. Then its the final jury where the last 2 people say how great they were and how they are the right one to win. The jury ask questions, then they cast their votes and then everyone gets to wait a week so the the shows producers can decide who will win. For a million dollars? Okay, I can see that making it worth the crap.

There is one show I really find amazing,  Judge Judy. Now, this show I frequently get a kick out of. Judge Judith Sheindlin is a very interesting lady, she has been around a lot, and done this show for 16 years. 16 years of her sitting up at her desk and telling people that:
1. She is smarter than them
2. They are not going to talk over her
3. Did you know that you were coming to court today?
Some of her shows she sits there and dishes it out fair and hard. If you are a dead beat, you will lose. If you show up presentable, with all of the appropriate paperwork, stand there and smile and say YES (saying yeah goes right up her nose) and keep your mouth shut until she asks you a question, you will probably win. Frequently those who do win should - IMHO. While I don't like some of her attitudes about the value of being a stay at home mom, for the most part I think what she puts out is pretty good.
What I don't understand is, what is it about being on TV that makes some people be complete morons? If you walk into her court dressed like you are going out to party, she will kick you out. If you are act like an idiot, she will either kick you out or dismiss your case, or both. If you say yeah to her, she will berate you in front of 20 million viewers.

Judge Judy has been doing the same thing, the same way for 16 years for everyone to see, why don't the morons who go in front of her seem to know this? What is wrong with them that they will activily participate in themselves being humiliated in front of 20 million viewers, and all for a maximum gain of $5000. After 16 years, a reasonable person would think that people would have picked up on a few thoughts of how she expect you to conduct yourself and yet people still show up in front of her looking like a hooker, or a drug pusher or some other sort of lowlife.

The great question of why people subject themselves is one of the great mysteries of life.

All I know is that I enjoy watching Judy rip a strip off of some overly important wingnut who thinks he is not responsible for his actions. As for Gorden Ramsey, his latest show has him behind bars. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will forget to let him out.