My Beef with Reality TV

According to BBM Canada, here are the top 10 English television shows in Canada, with viewer numbers, for the week of March 22-28.

1 American Idol (CTV, Tuesday)–2,896,0000

2 Grey's Anatomy (CTV, Thursday)–2,796,0000

3 Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains (Global, Wednesday)–2,646,000

4 Amazing Race 16 (CTV, Sunday)–2,470,0000

5 American Idol (CTV, Wednesday)–2,370,0000

6 Dancing With the Stars (A-Channel, Monday)–2,058,0000

7 Two and a Half Men (CTV, Monday)–1,954,000

8 Big Bang Theory (CTV, Monday)–1,939,000

9 C.S.I. Miami (CTV, Monday)–1,895,000

10 Undercover Boss (CTV, Sunday)–1,658,000

Sadly, 6 out of these 10 shows are reality TV. I just don't get the fascination with it, especially these reused and recycled shows like American Idol and Survivor. When is this crazy obsession going to be over?! No wonder in the grander scheme of things, quality programming is all on cable TV (HBO, Showtime, AMC). I'd much rather watch well-acted and intricately developed story lines that keep me constantly entertained and stimulated, but I guess, according to the above numbers, I may be the only one.