Reality?

I've written about this topic on my regular blog before but it is nevertheless one of my biggest pet peeves. It's how these so-called reality TV shows are distorted in order to get ratings.

Take all these talent shows that eliminate contestants week after week until a final winner is crowned. Who stays and who goes is determined by the public show vote to see who they want to stay. But what exactly are they voting on? Are they truly voting on the best performance or are they just voting for the most popular person?

Let's look at the infamous last season of America's Got Talent. Why did Kevin Skinner win? Was he the best singer? Would people pay money to see him in Las Vegas? I believe the answer to both questions is no. But he won because he had a good story. Nobody has heard from him since the show, and I strongly doubt if his show will last. Meanwhile, amazing performances from Barbara Padilla and even the third-place percussion group should have been rewarded.

What about Dancing With the Stars, perhaps the worst example of popularity voting. Does it really matter if they can dance as opposed to if they are popular? Mya is by far the best dancer on the show but will she win? It's hard to say because Donny Osmond, Kelly Osborne and perhaps even Joanna Krupa are more "popular".