Are You a Reality Show Junky?
Are you addicted to reality television shows? If you are, you’re not alone. Almost everyone is addicted to at least one of these “guilty pleasures.” Did you know that there are several categories of reality shows? Wikipedia uses the following outline:
1. Documentary Style
a. Extraordinary People2. Video Cameras/Hidden Camera
b. Historical re-creation
c. Science
d. Dating
e. Law Enforcement/Rescue/Military
f. Makeover
g. Lifestyle Change
h. Fantasies Fulfilled
i. Docu-soaps starring Celebrities
3. Game Show/Reality Playoffs
a. Talent Searches4. Spoofs
5. Parodies
The most popular ones are talent searches and game shows/playoffs. Top Chef, American Idol, and Dancing with the Stars would be examples of the talent search type. The game show/playoff group includes such hits as the Amazing Race, Survivor, and Celebrity Apprentice. There also several smaller categories, which are dominated by one or two hits. America’s Funniest Home Videos practically owns the Video Camera genre and the Real Housewives is currently dominating the Extraordinary People category. Whatever your pleasure, you might enjoy some of the new books which are being released to provide more detailed information on some of the more popular shows.
Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion
Chasing Spirits: The Building of the Ghost Adventures Crew
The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Created a Dynasty
License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver
My Ox is Broken!: Roadblocks, Detours, Fast Forwards, and Other Great Moments from TV's The Amazing Race
Survivor!: The Ultimate Game: The Official Companion Book to the CBS Television Show
A Love That Multiplies: An Up-Close View of How They Make it Work
American Pickers Guide to Picking
For What it's Worth: Business Wisdom from a Pawnbroker
Public Enemies: The Host of America's Most Wanted Targets the Nation's Most Notorious Criminals
Reading the books is an enjoyable way to re-live your favorite shows. After researching the subject, I found that the Biggest Loser is also the biggest winner at the publishing game. There are six books devoted to it: two biographies and four cookbooks. Why not check out a few and you can enjoy your “guilty pleasure” even more.
Submitted by Lorraine Walker
Five Points West Library
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