Exhibits, Shows and Displays

Why do you think Americans are obsessed with watching and being on Reality TV Shows?

Reality TV seems like it has been around forever, but it doesn't seem like it's losing its appeal. After watching the whole balloon boy hoax unfold, I have been really thinking about what lengths people go through just to get a little bit of fame. It is because of the success of Youtube? Is it because you yourself could potentially be on one? To me, it seems so invading to have cameras in your house 24/7. What do you think?

Public Comments

1. America has become a nation of nitwits.
2. Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. And I guess they watch it because they can relate to the “reality” being portrayed.
3. sall about the cheddarrrrrrrrrrrrrr
4. Everyone wants to be special, to be noticed, to feel important.
5. Only people on welfare.
6. Oooh black guys are going to be jealous. You have a white boyfriend.
7. I believe its about being famous without having to be a skilled actor, singer, or performer of some sort. Given, there are shows like American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance where you MUST have talent, but it gives small time normal people like us a chance to break-out and have a chance at fame. THEN there's shows like Flavor of Love, Real World, Rock of Love, Tool Academy, and other stupid shows that people are just trying to be famous by being talentless. But there's also shows like The Biggest Loser where people are fighting for health and good intentions... No matter what, there's always an agenda.
8. i agree. and i'm american. jon and....wait, just kate plus 8, survivor, american idol, america's next top model, the amazing race, little people big world.....the list goes on and on. even octomom is gonna have a show. a lot of americans are drawn to the idea of being on reality tv because it makes you famous, gives you money for basically doing nothing or for doing something only for a few days. i don't think its because of youtube, because nobody has ever gone from youtube to reality show. youtube is a brief period of fame, but not nearly as influencial as being on a reality show. i, personally, think it would be invading, but obviously some people dont.