I don't watch reality TV. I can't stand it. And it's not because I am being above it all, feeling superior to the raging idiots who want to be on reality TV. I know that there are some great reality shows out there with really great consequences for the people on the shows. I love Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson; and Nene Leakes turned out to be pretty damn funny as a comedic actress (granted she is just playing herself). But the other shows make me angry. I know there are a million actresses out there who want to make their mark, but is being on The Bachelor going to get you to the next step?
The real reason I don't watch reality TV is it makes me really nervous/crazy to watch those shows. I mean, the Amazing Race and Project Runway give me heart palpitations. Just thinking about them make me overwhelmed with stress. American Idol/Dancing with the Stars/The Voice take too damn long to get to the point. Dance or sing and then judge. Stop it with the bios and sad stories in between, and what's with the two days to get around to kicking people off the show? That just makes me want to throw things at the TV. Which would be bad because then I couldn't watch what I really do like: criminal dramas.
I am a crime show addict. If there is blood, people standing around waving neon lights to show traces of blood, or chasing serial killers and their minions around a dark maze of a bunker, I am there. I don't watch all of them and some come and go, e.g., Law and Order and its clones. But they are the bloody meat and potatoes of my TV watching.
But I do realize the flaws in these shows. All of them are not conducted like real cases. I mean, no detective in her right mind would wear 5" heels and designer clothes running after perps like Beckett on the show "Castle" and why don't these people where booties when they enter a house where a murder took place. And why are they always touching things without gloves on?
Of course it's TV and not reality. Which is why I like it. Give me a good story. Let me suspend belief and reality for a while.
There is one thing about these shows that I can't ignore. These police procedurals make it seem as if there are millions of serial killers out there. According to some stats I looked up (which probably alerted the Feds) there are possibly a couple of thousand worldwide. Of course, there are probably many who haven't crossed anyone's radar. But not the impossible number which Criminal Minds have identified and caught each episode.
But of course, it's TV. Suspended belief. Except for the Following - that show seriously creeps me out.