Friday, June 27, 2008

Why do We Watch These Shows

If you are anything like me you can't wait until prime time (8 o'clock) when all the reality television shows hit the air. I look forward to certain nights only because I know that a certain show is coming on. But why do these shows get us so hype. Why do we constantly sit in front of the TV and watch these shows. There are literally hundreds of channels but what is the secret formula to celebrity reality TV shows?

According to TV.com the top 5 reality television shows today are:
1: So You Think You Can Dance
2. Farmer Wants a Wife
3. Hell's Kitchen
4. Black Gold
5. America's Next Top Model

These shows are popular for various reasons. They each provide drama. Drama entertains people. These shows are suspenseful. At the end of each episode you want to tune in next week to find out what happens and gets sent home. They have great characters. On every show there is someone you love and someone you hate. The casting directors do a great job and provide a variety of characters on each show.

These shows have proved successful. So You Think You Can Dance has been through four seasons, Hell's Kitchen four and America's Next Top Model 10. These shows come back season after season because you want to see what spend they are going to have next season. I know I watch these shows because they are highly entertaining.

The funny thing about it...they know we want more. With the show Big Brother, you can watch the show 24 hours on the Internet and watch Big Brother After Dark on Showtime everyday from 12-3 AM.

So what is next. One of the reality TV shows to air next is Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game show. I can only imagine what is next.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Graduate Work

Much preparation proves successful for grads

Students at Midlothian High School have been preparing to end one chapter while starting a new one at their graduation commencement.

Christopher Shelton hangs out with friends backstage at the Siegel Center as he awaits his graduation. As Shelton looks back over many years of hard work, he realizes he is spending the last minutes of being a senior at Midlothian High School.

Shelton is nervous, but excited at the same time.

“Since the first day of my senior year I have been looking forward to this day,” said Shelton. “I made sure I did all my work, kept studying, kept good grades and always held on hope.” He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall majoring in computer engineering.

Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties high school graduations are held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Stuart C. Siegel Center. VCU hosts 26 graduations at its 190,000 square foot facility.

Many behind the scenes preparations help make this day for Shelton and the other 341 seniors at Midlothian High School a day they will never forget. Parking passes are issued, roads are blocked, security is in place and chairs are organized.

There are close interactions between senior class faculty sponsors and officials at VCU. Nate Doughty, associate director of the Siegel Center and Athletic Facilities, said it is great public relations.

“This is a great way for VCU to give back to the community,” said Doughty. “We fit the need and it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Eileen Sunseri, senior class sponsor at Midlothian High School, is already planning for the 2009 commencement ceremony. Preparations for an event that involves students, families, faculty and the community is a year round affair.

Sunseri describes the graduation process as “controlled chaos.”

“We get started in October when the students are measured for their caps and gowns,” said Sunseri. “Most planning really starts in March. VCU sends us the date, time and schedules. In mid-May there is a walk through where we receive maps, parking passes and information to give to the parents.”

Doughty said the biggest headache is parking. Traffic on VCU’s campus is congested and heavy during these times. There are between 300 to 500 graduates for each ceremony. On average, there are three graduations a day during this 11-day period yielding more than 1300 vehicles for each graduation.

VCU Enforcement and Safety Coordinator Lou Ann Jones has overseen this process for the past four years. Each year changes are made to make sure the entire graduation process is a success.

Between 100 to 150 people work during graduations.

“The secret is teamwork,” said Jones. “The school systems, Siegel Center staff, deck staff, enforcement staff and the VCU Police Department work closely to assure that everything run smoothly.”

During graduation regular traffic is not stopped. Jones said that so far they have done a great job with accommodating everyone.

“Our goal for these graduations is to make them as safe and happy as possible for all involved,” said Jones.

Shelton could not be more happier as he hugs his friends and takes pictures to capture last memories. He reunites with his parents.

His mother Debra Shelton said that the entire process leading up to graduation has been a smooth one.

“I thought the graduation was wonderful and well organized,” said Debra. “I was impressed.”