Have you ever really wanted to say something to someone, but after further thought decided it was too rude or inappropriate? Or maybe you are like me and avoid drama at all costs in your life and need to get your fill in some aspect. No matter what your reason is, we can all admit to lingering on a reality t.v. show when channel surfing
But why do we stop? What makes reality television such a guilty pleasure? Here are some of the reasons I have compiled as to why this genre of television can be addicting.
1. The Interaction
There are few things people love more than feeling like they are in control of what they want in life. Reality Television shows like Dancing With the Stars and America's Got Talent give the viewing audience the chance to vote on their favorite acts and have an effect on the outcome of who stays and who goes.
2. The Competition
Who doesn't love a good competition? Whether it is a competition for someone's love on the Bachelor or a survival of the fittest on Survivor, we love having the chance to pick a person or team and cheer them on as far as they make it. We ride the highs and lows with each person and feel personally offended if anyone comes in their way or does them wrong.
3. The Glamour
Keeping Up With the Kardashians is one of the greatest examples of this category. They have new episodes put out each week of them doing something ridiculously lavish that would cost a normal person's year-long salary in just one short day. Whether they are jet-setting on their private jet to Paris for a photo-shoot or just cruising around town shopping in their Mercedes G-Wagon, they are guaranteed to give you your fix of living life in the fab lane.
4. The Drama
Every reality show has one thing in common - drama. Whether it's moms yelling at each other over whose daughter got a solo on Dance Moms or it's bidders yelling at one another on who got the better buy on Storage Wars, you will without a doubt get some 'unscripted' drama.
5. The Escape
After a long day in the real world, reality television gives you the opportunity to get away from it all. You can submerge yourself in people's lives and get off of your roller coaster of emotions and get onto theirs for an hour. This gives you a chance to leave behind your problems, thoughts or inhibitions as you live your life vicariously through these perfect strangers.
6. The Entertainment
Maybe you don't invest your emotions when you watch reality shows and you just watch simply to be entertained. You might just like seeing new talent emerge on The Voice or you get a kick out of the ridiculousness that is Big Brother. Or you could just possibly enjoy having a show that you can follow to pass the time until the latest episode of Scandal comes on.
7. The Intrigue
There is something extremely interesting at watching people do things that you have never done or could never imagine yourself doing. On shows like Naked and Afraid where two people are sent to the wilderness with literally nothing but one tool each and a map, it is so interesting to see how they fend for themselves. Maybe you are not as into survival and watch people overcome their fear on shows similar to Fear Factor where people perform outrageous stunts all in the name of money, but no matter what all you know is that you are definitely not watching these shows for the cattiness.
No matter what your reason is, the chances are you have probably committed the guilty pleasure watching reality television. But don't worry, we have all been there and together, we can all keep denying that we actually enjoy watching these shows no matter what our reason is.
