As much as I wish it wasn’t true, I have to confess—-I’ve become addicted to certain reality shows. I’ve managed to avoid some of them (The Bachelor, Survivor, and the one where Brett Michaels keeps trying to find true love) but there are a few that have sucked me in and I’m hooked. Some of my favorites are Dancing with the Stars (since Donny Osmond was the first boy I ever loved, I was thrilled when he won), So You Think You Can Dance, and Project Runway. Oh, how I wish it was only those three! But alas, I’ve been hooked by the Housewives–all of them–from Orange County, New York, Atlanta, and New Jersey. (I can’t wait for the DC and Beverly Hills Housewives to be added to the roster!).
Yet I think I’ve reached a new low because I’m completely addicted to Jersey Shore, which airs on MTV. I hate myself for watching it, yet I’m glued to the tv every Thursday night to see what the fist-pumping, hair-gelling, club-going 20-somethings of Seaside Heights are up to. If you haven’t seen this show…well, there are no words. If you HAVE seen it, chances are you’re hooked and hating yourself, just like me. And now, with American Idol starting up again…well, I just don’t stand a chance.
Do you watch any reality shows? Which ones? Do you, like me, need to go to Reality Rehab–or can you quit any time you want to?
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
I watch “Dancing with the Stars” along with my Monday night knitting group. We have that on and knit and make nice or not so nice comments about the contestants and their talent or lack of. There’s usually about six of us and we can be a pretty wild bunch, especially when the gorgeous men bare their chests and work those hips!
I too was happier than a clam when Donnie won. I sure was an Osmond Brothers fan.
I sometimes watch the Amazing Race and I haven’t missed an Idol season yet.
I am SOO addicted to the Jersey Shore. Yes, it is complete trash, but that IS my beach! So, I know that they are NOT putting on. They are really like that! I grew up with Italians just like them. The sweetest people you will ever want to meet. I also LOVE the Kashdashians. I get a kick out of them and so does my Mom. There is also Little People, Big World.
As for Network Reality TV, I love watching Dancing With the Stars and enjoy American Idol. I have seen some of the Bachelor and Bachelorette series and some seasons are much more trashy than the Jersey Shore ever is.
Hey Jamie–glad to know Jersey Shore is authentic. I want to go!
I’ve never gotten in to any of those, but I will admit to being a TruTV junky, just the true crime stuff like Forensic Files, not the noise Cops shows.
Hi Kay! I watched one episode of Forsensic Files and thought it was fascinating. Used to watch CSI: Miami, but stopped when I read that my fave character, Eric Delko, was leaving. Of course, that left time for me to tune into Hoarders on A&E (sigh). I really do need Reality Rehab.
Ohmigod, I can’t turn away from hoarders, as much as i want to. Its so bizarre. I can’t imagine how that happens. And then, if you tune in for Hoarders, and it isn’t on, but Intervention is, well…what’s a girl to do?
I watched Hoarders tonight and it’s just such a sad show. I didn’t watch it for a couple of weeks because I found it too depressing and frustrating, but there I was tonight, tuning in, yelling at the tv, “please save yourself and your family and just throw that crap away!!”
Oh Chris, I totally forgot about Man vs. Wild. I love that show and Bear is a trip to watch. I find it fascinating that he does in the wild to survive.
Julie, yes on Flipping Out. Jeff has too much OCD!! LOL!
Man vs Wild–will have to check that one out. ‘Cause I don’t have enough of shows I’m watching already, LOL! Note to self–must retire from writing to get more reality tv time!
I watched the Housewives, but only got into OC and New York, and OC bores me now because it feels like the producers are just trying to set up fake conflict and the women are just too catty. I liked it when it was more “real” and about their lives. And I LOVED Flipping Out when it was about Jeff interacting with the houses. Now it’s more about him, and we’ve quit watching! I wanted to see the cool houses!
Those Housewives–I wish I knew how to quit them! Julie, did you quit cold turkey?
I am with Amanda… I prefer to escape into “fiction”- so I mostly stick to sitcoms or dramas. Happy to say that I have never seen an episode of Survivor. Though I have seen almost a full season of The Biggest Loser and Hell’s Kitchen. If I forget when they start then I don’t miss them at all. Now missing an episode of Bones…. THAT is disastrous!!
I also want to watch Bones, but never have. Am planning to buy the season DVD’s and watch from the beginning.
Love Bones! Great show.
Hey mom, now that you have Tivo you can watch all the reality TV you want whenever you want lol! Biggest Loser is awesome, as is deadliest catch. And I don’t know if it exactly qualifies as “reality” but Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls is really cool.
LOVE the Deadliest catch. Jack London can’t believe that I watch that show. I love it. I am hooked. I live in terror that someone is going to get washed overboard or the ship will go down.
When we visited my parents over Christmas, there was a Deadliest Catch marathon on–those poor guys were catching crabs All Day Long. Very good show. Love crab legs. Would NEVER want to catch them myself.
Hey Honey! Thanks for stopping by and Whining! Yes, I can TiVo myself all day long now–but I think I’m going to need another tutorial–when are you coming again, LOL?!
Hey, it’s Chris! Hi Chris. (hiding the peanut M & Ms).
OH! I forgot “Hell’s Kitchen”! I would love to learn from Gordon Ramsey, but not if he acts like that in the kitchen.
I’ve never seen it–but based on the promo spots, he’s a pretty scary dude!
I also forgot Hell’s Kitchen. I watch that one, too. He is pretty scary, but I’m always surprised at the level of ineptitude in the kitchen at the beginning of each season. I always wonder why they cast some of the “chefs” with such inexperience.
I love reality shows, and my husband just shakes his head at me, and wonders what the appeal is. I love Bridezillas because it’s funny, and I just wonder where the men put their balls because they’re so spineless. Just got hooked on Jersey Shore because it reminds me of “Real World” when it was just beginning.
DWTS is a blast because you get a “behind the scenes look” at each of the contestants — what drives them, what is their true character (you can’t sweat like a pig and still be THAT nice!), and their lives. Who can deny how sweet and tear-inducing it was to see Ozzy Osboune well up with tears when he was watching his baby girl? The Prince of Darkness is a softie!
The ones that were thought-provoking for me were “Dating in the Dark” and the one to determine the most beautiful person. It turned out that women were more shallow than men because they judged the men on their looks; with beauty, it was nice to see that the contestants were being judged on their inner beauty more than outer.
I watched Dating in the Dark, too! Very interesting show. LOVED seeing Ozzie watch his daughter dance–very sweet! I also saw one–I forget the name of it–but it was hosted by Vanessa Minillo and had to do with inner beauty, as opposed to outer beauty.
Yes! That’s the one I mentioned. It had Vanessa Minillo, Cheryl Tieg and Nole Martin. I kept waiting for that one guy (who ended up 2nd) to get cut earlier in the show — my daughters and I just could not stand his attitude. Was so glad when Julia won; she was such a sweetheart!
LOL, I watched that one, too.
I am a total reality show junkie. I watch way too many of them, including all the ones you Jacquie mentioned avoided. I have watch poor Brett try to find love for a couple seasons. I get hooked on them all. Currently I watch The Bachelor (can’t believe he has kept crazy Michelle!), Tough Love (those girls are a trip!), a little bit of Aspen, Guilana & Bill, any of the Housewives,and anything else I can find. Anyone else watch the Househusband of Hollywood? It was pretty good. I have to say I haven’t watch Jersey Shore . . . yet. I find the ones on VH1 to be the funniest, or maybe I just get the biggest kick out of them. Anybody watch Scott Baio’s show last year? I did.
Some of the other shows I have watched include Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Survivor, Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model, The Next Food Next Star, The Girls Next Door, Kendra, Big Brother . . . well, you get the picture
Hey Buffie–great to see you here! I heard about the Househusbands of Hollywood, but didn’t realize it was already on–and that I missed it!! How can that be?? Didn’t see Scott Baio’s show, but I had a huge crush on him when he was Chachi (sure–that isn’t dating myself, LOL!)
I have to confess to having seen every Survior–ever. Jeff Probst is the best color man on television. And I always watch So You Think You Can Dance–and wish that I could. Oh and I LOVE Top Chef. And sometimes the one on the Food Network Channel. And of course I adore Simon and co. on Idol… “Pants on the Ground” anyone?
Ohmygosh!!! I cannot get that silly song out of my head! It’s all over the internet, too. I told Julia that I was following some political tweets the other night and POTG was a topic there, too. LOL
Haven’t watched Top Chef–but that’s another to add to my list. Pants On the Ground–LOLOL!
I used to be a huge fan of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and I love “Top Chef” and “Project Runway.” I’ve managed to avoid any reality shows on network TV, I prefer to escape into “fiction”- so I mostly stick to sitcoms or dramas.
i LOVED Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, too! Wish that was still on. SO want Thom Filicia to come to my house and decorate! He is so incredibly talented.
I am a huge reality tv fan. I watch all the housewife shows (Except Orange County. I cannot get into those women at all), Project Runway, American Idol, Amazing Race, anything on Bravo, and increasingly, anything on TLC or AMC. I think its because a lot of it comes on late at night when I am done for the day, and I would rather watch that than Law and Order.
You’re not alone, jacquie!
I’m so relieved it’s not just me! One show I’d like to watch but haven’t yet is The Biggest Loser. It seems like it would be very inspirational and have a true purpose–and do some good. Anyone seen it?
I watch it. Those people make me feel so whiny. They are amazing.
I watch America’s Next Top Model online (because no one will watch with me at home). And I did watch all of the Rock of Love seasons. Because sometimes you get caught up in the trainwreck. I’ve watched every season of Survivor. I’m a big Survivor fan. And American Idol. And Celebrity Apprentice. Oh boy, that’s a lot of reality. Plus I love the Travel Channel and Food Network. Does that count as reality? But that’s my limit. I’ve steered clear of the rest.
I hear ya on getting caught in the trainwreck, Sherri–that’s the way it is with me and Jersey Shore (I’m mortified to even admit that I’m watching it! I’m totally fascinated by Pauly D’s hair. What is WRONG with me??) I haven’t watched Celebrity Apprentice, but I did watch the first season of The Apprentice–the one that Bill Rancic won (met him btw, and he was SO incredibly nice!!). Now, of course, I’m watching his reality show, Giuliana and Bill on the Style network–it’s really cute!
You know, I’ve never gotten into any reality show. The family spent a weekend once watching a Project Runway marathon, but that’s probably the closest I’ve come to being addicted.
Come spend a week with me, Korean Celt–we’ll get you hooked. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!