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Why are we so addicted to reality TV?

By Catherine Toth Fox • November 4, 2013 • Musings, The Daily Dish

The Real Housewives of Atlanta - Season 6

Has it been six seasons already?

It seems like only yesterday we met NeNe Leakes’ big personality and Kim Zolciak’s wigs.

Now the entire case of Bravo’s mega-hit “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” is back — and stranger than ever.

NeNe re-married her ex-husband, Gregg. Kim is off the show and pregnant with her fifth child. Kandi Burruss is getting married to a guy who worked in production on the show — and her mom isn’t happy about it. And Porsha Stewart, who’s battling her NFL husband Kordell, claims that he might be gay.

It was a pretty heavy episode last night. (I’m sure Bravo execs were happy.)

But it left me thinking, “Why did I just waste an hour of my life watching this?”

A friend of mine posted on his Facebook wall last night — I’m assuming after watching the premiere, too — “An hour and a half spent watching Bravo and I think I’m now 25% dumber.”

It was, well, depressingly true.

There was nothing I gained from watching it except that prenups are awesome and false lashes work miracles.

But Bravo’s onto something.

Apparently, we love reality TV. (Or most of us.) There aren’t many people who have never heard of reality celebs like Omarosa Manigault (“The Apprentice”), Bethenny Frankel (“The Real Housewives of New York”) or Elisabeth Hasselbeck (“Survivor”). These people have become mainstream brands and they have reality TV to thank for that.

Since 2006, Bravo’s “Real Housewives” franchise, to date, has run 40 seasons, totaling more than 580 episodes. It has spawned spinoffs — “Vanderpump Rules,” “Bethenny’s Getting Married,” “Don’t Be Tardy,” “I Dream of NeNe” — with millions of viewers watching with bated breath for the next drama-filled episode.

But why?

I, too, am enthralled with reality TV. When it’s on, I’m glued, my brain shuts off, I turn into a VanderZombie. But like eating a box full of cheap chocolate, I’m never satisfied when it’s done. In fact, I feel a little sick.

Anyone else feel the same way?

Please tell me it’s not just me.

BravoHawaiiReal Housewives of Atlantareality TVreality TV addictiontelevisionTV
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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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18 Comments

  • Reply guest November 4, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    I like to watch Duck Dynatsty, Fast N Loud, Pawn Stars, Moonshiners, Storage Wars and Tickle. Sometimes I like to watch the Honey boo boo antics.

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:58 am

      Have you watched the one about guys brewing beer?

  • Reply De November 4, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    I don’t watch Housewives but I watch different ones. I recently started to watch Duck Dynasty and I love it. I don’t know why I keep watching Dance Moms. I get feed up with the abuse and bickering but yet I still watch it. I just love to watch the girls interact. My other favorite was Jon and Kate Plus 8. I used to be jealous of what the kids got but now I feel sorry for them. The kids were so cute and innocent but reading about them now…it isn’t worth it. I think most of these reality shows are staged. I was so mad when Jon and Kate renewed their vows and then a couple of months later they separated.

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:58 am

      Duck Dynasty — I hear so much about that show! I heard it was the most popular Halloween costume this year, too!

  • Reply Annoddah Dave November 4, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    CAT: I am not addicted to reality shows but do watch the singing competition and DWTS. I can’t sing or dance so that is why my interest. Also watched the “little couple” as they go through adopting a kid from Mongolia or nearby. Have a friend who did it so that is my interest. The other shows I find are too staged to be real like De said. Now that I think about it, is not your blog a “reality show”? I am addicted to FUUD!

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:58 am

      Is DWTS considered a reality TV show? I guess so… It’s more like a competition show. I don’t consider “Top Chef” a true reality show, either. You don’t really get to know the chefs that well — unless they make it to the end — and the focus is still on the competition…

  • Reply Tara November 4, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    I love Bravo and reality TV too… and I’m a pretty smart gal with tons of friends who proudly proclaim they “don’t have a TV.” I don’t care, I love vegging out to it after a long day.

    I’m convinced that I watch reality shows with crazy women… because they validate how awesome I am! But seriously, isn’t it great spending an hour being reminded that you’re, thankfully, not selfish, materialistic, and petty? It’s a great reminder for me and I think that’s why I love it so.

    At the same time, I cry for the characters I’m rooting for. When Jenny from Flipping Out got divorced, I cried for her because I adore her. When she got married–I cried again! As far as the fun, positive reality TV women go, I love watching their triumphs as much as I love watching the craziness!

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:57 am

      It’s true, you can get wholly sucked into these people’s lives. And the thing is, it’s really happening. I mean, Jenny really got divorced. And these women really do get married. I’m sure most of the plotlines are devised and strategized, but there’s still real stuff in there.

  • Reply Dana November 4, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    It’s even worse for those of us who work on reality shows! Pays the rent but it can be depressing…

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:56 am

      You’ve worked on one? I have so many questions!

  • Reply Dennis November 5, 2013 at 6:39 am

    Sorry, not a fan of reality TV. I’m stuck on Korean TV series.

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:56 am

      Korean dramas! They’re so damn addicting!

  • Reply rayboyjr November 5, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Hey Cat: it’s like the car wreck in the middle of the road … you know there might be something bad … but you just have to look …

    … and on top of that … with reality/drama tv … we anticipate watching these wrecks as they’re unfolding …

    … we’re sickos … haha!!! …

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:56 am

      I know, I know. I always look, too.

  • Reply Gloria (MauiTriGirl) November 5, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    I hate to admit it but my favorite is Atlanta Housewives on Bravo ( guilty pleasure) I think we are fixated knowing that it’s someone else’s issue’s and there’s nothing like a good fight ( quite the massochist here lol) Being a psych major I love to people watch anyways.

    and yes! your not the only one who felt like they ate a cheap box of chocolates.

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Hey, it’s our guilty pleasure!

  • Reply Bruddah Shaun November 6, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    Ever since the tv on top of the broken tv broke I wait for the Midweek so I can check out the Longs ad. Spam not on sale shucks.

    • Reply Catherine Toth November 11, 2013 at 9:52 am

      LOL

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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