The guilty pleasure of reality TV

realityTVEach of us has her share guilty pleasures – midnight snacks, midday naps, a chocolate stash – but few are as fun to share as reality TV. What other pastime lets you bond vicariously over the gory details of someone else’s life without the risk of being labeled a neighborhood gossip?

Over the past few years, the viewing options in the reality category have multiplied like mutant rabbits. There are shows catering to all kinds of interests and more than a few that make you wonder exactly what the network execs were thinking.

I’m an unabashed DWTS (that’s Dancing with the Stars, for the uninitiated) junkie and an on-again off-again fan of American Idol. (I fall for the Cinderella story every time.) But, we’re not here to talk about what I like; we want to know what you like!

This is your chance to stand up for your favorite show. Vote for your guilty pleasure in the poll below, or let us know about any horrible oversights in our list of contenders by selecting “other” and leaving the name of your pick in the comments.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

31 Responses to “The guilty pleasure of reality TV”

  1. aimee, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:13 am Said:

    so you think you can dance?! That’s my “other” pick!

  2. Kim, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:13 am Said:

    What about the Real Housewives of…?

  3. Jamie Lee, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:14 am Said:

    @Aimee – I resisted the urge because there just isn’t enough time in my week for TWO dancing reality shows … but I was sorely tempted!

  4. Rachael, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:16 am Said:

    Keeping Up with the Kardashians is my addiction!

  5. kelly, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:20 am Said:

    The Bad Girls Club on Oxygen. Its full of female drama and i love it!

  6. Jamie Lee, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:24 am Said:

    @Rachel & @kelly – good picks – seriously juicy reality shows!

  7. Stacy, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:28 am Said:

    I am hooked on the kardashins

  8. Bev M., on January 28th, 2010 at 11:36 am Said:

    I can’t believe so many folks watch junk TV! All those trashy things to chose from. What about shows like “Leverage”, “Bones”, “NCIS”, etc.? Those are quality TV.

  9. Jen, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:38 am Said:

    I’m still hooked on Mtv reality shows like the Real World and RW/RR challenge shows. I even like Teen Mom now. They are definitely guilty pleasures

  10. Rachel R, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:52 am Said:

    America’s Next Top Model & anything On HGTV

  11. Elizabeth, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:55 am Said:

    My husband got me hooked on those Wife Swap reruns. And of course, you can’t help but follow American Idol, whether you watch it or not. Even our local news does a recap of it. Oy!

  12. Laurie, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:55 am Said:

    big brother!

  13. Angela O., on January 28th, 2010 at 11:58 am Said:

    I like Real Housewives (all of them) and Millionaire Matchmaker, Million Dollar Listing, basically all of the reality TV on Bravo :)

  14. toni jensen, on January 28th, 2010 at 11:59 am Said:

    Dance your ass off was great

  15. Missy, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:04 pm Said:

    Anything on VH1…not THAT’S smut!!!

  16. Missy, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:05 pm Said:

    *now*

  17. Tasha, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:11 pm Said:

    I love Vampire Diaries, Cougartown, Mercy, Modern Family, Intervention, Celebrity Rehab, Life Unexpected, Biggest Loser, American Idol, Lost, SuperNanny, and of course my favorite of all time is Law & Order SVU and reruns of FRIENDS. All of these are on my DVR and I stay up super late to watch them after the kids are in bed.

  18. carrie, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:13 pm Said:

    Cooking reality shows!

  19. Jacie, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:17 pm Said:

    Grey’s Anatomy is my fav! I must admit I’m hooked on the Kardashians too! Lost, Desperate Housewives, too. I may try some of the ones you guys mentioned. :)

  20. April Poulter, on January 28th, 2010 at 12:18 pm Said:

    I watch Bones and Fringe on Thursdays.Other than that its PBS or my husband takes over the TV to watch sports.

  21. Julia, on January 28th, 2010 at 1:09 pm Said:

    House Hunters

  22. twinmomlinda, on January 28th, 2010 at 1:18 pm Said:

    I am nor much of a reality show gal… But I LOVE Criminal Minds and The Mentalist!!!

  23. Andrea, on January 28th, 2010 at 2:19 pm Said:

    I hate all reality shows but I can’t miss an episode of House, Lie to me, greys anatomy, Dexter, weeds, trueblood, nurse Jackie, criminal minds, US of Tara, californication, and big love

  24. Andrea, on January 28th, 2010 at 2:21 pm Said:

    Oh and anthropologist! And I love anything on the travel channel that deals with food!

  25. Jenn Arnold, on January 28th, 2010 at 2:28 pm Said:

    Lost! Lost! and more Lost! The first 5 Seasons are available on DVD. Be warned: It is a vortex that sucks you in. :-) The last season starts Feb 2nd. DO NOT Season 6 until you have watched the first 5 seasons. (AND START FROM THE VERY FIRST.) The best TV show EVER!!!!
    Hurley is my favorite. I love his funny lines. “You just totally Scooby-dooed me. Didn’t you?”. LOL!!!!!

  26. Heather S, on January 28th, 2010 at 2:36 pm Said:

    Besides Jersey Shore being my FAVE, I like SOOO many other reality shows that it’s sickenin!! ABDC, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Cake Boss ( or any cake show), ANY Ghost Hunting show and and pretty much any ridiculous dating show on VH1!! LOL! I am a serious Reality Show junkie!!

  27. Elyse, on January 28th, 2010 at 3:16 pm Said:

    One of my current favorites is…. DON’T LAUGH…… Secret life of an American Teenager! AKA: “Secret Life.”

  28. Tonja.I, on January 28th, 2010 at 4:13 pm Said:

    I would have to say my guilty pleasures are:
    »big brother
    »the tyra show
    »bachelor
    »teen mom
    most of all:
    » the biggest loser!!
    greatest show of all time!!

  29. Christine Lempka Sulva, on January 28th, 2010 at 5:16 pm Said:

    Real Housewives!………OC, NY, NJ (of course)…but never got into Atlanta.

  30. chris, on January 28th, 2010 at 5:35 pm Said:

    Love The First 48! Its soooo addicting and those Rock of Love and so forth shows on VH1 Though I agree they are rediculous I still watch!

  31. Colleen, on January 28th, 2010 at 5:46 pm Said:

    Big Brother and Pawn Stars are on my list too!

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