Not So Reality

As mentioned many times before, I watch A LOT of TV. And a lot of the shows I watch are of the Reality TV genre. Don't judge me. My DVR is one of my prized possessions. I can't imagine how much more TV I'd watch if I could actually afford premium cable or had one of those boxes where you can record more than two shows at once. However, many of us know that much of Reality TV is scripted and not all so real after all. Shocker, I know. (Um, hello, all Kardashian shows! The most staged one of them all. But I still watch. Obvs.)  Maybe the feelings by the major players/characters in these shows are real but many of the scenes are set up by the producers and very strategically planned (and booze is involved). Also, there are things that occur on these shows that may not be acceptable in real life when the cameras are not running that occur and seem not to be questioned here. I guess that's the power you get when a camera crew follows you. Whatever it may be, I constantly find myself watching these shows, shaking my head in bewilderment over a few things. So here is my list of questions that have recently run through my head during a few of my many Reality TV shows.

Bethenny Ever After: Does Bethenny bring SkinnyGirl products wherever she goes? Even in Mexico, there was Skinnygirl on the table. At restaurants whenever her and Jason (or her and anyone) eat out, its there. It's freaking everywhere. Am I the only psycho that notices this? I understand that was her meal ticket, but is that really all she drinks? It can't be. And do restaurants really allow her to bring in her own alcohol? I mean maybe that's what happens when you are rich. Maybe you can apparently do things like that. But I can pretty much guarantee if I walked into a restaurant with a bottle of SkinnyGirl Margarita to drink, they would not only frown upon it, they would probably not allow me to drink it and potentially even ask me to leave.

Basketball Wives: Are we really supposed to believe that Shaunie is the one that planned another trip for the girls? I didn't buy it last season when they went to Spain, and I am not buying it this season on their upcoming trip to Tahiti. Us audience members who watch this garbage aren't that stupid that we don't know its the producers who set up AND pay for the entire trip. The jig is up.

Also for this show, why are these women allowed to film in any restaurant or bar? They are constantly getting into fights and arguments. Sometimes violent. Why would an establishment allow this to occur, and even welcome it? Are they that desperate to have their name shown once time for two seconds? Perhaps. Desperado.

Brooklyn 11223: Before you even judge me for watching this show, stop. It's pretty ridiculous and funny and awful all at the same time. And isn't that the perfect combination for any Reality TV show? Okay, with that being said, why does Christie suck so much and how did this girl with the personality of a wet mop (this is how one of her best friends describes her) get her own show? Joey-Lynn seems like someone I'd go out and party with, and I just don't get how Christie and her were ever even friends, but how did these girls land this deal? Lucky, lucky bastards.

Biggest Loser: This show has a lot of sponsors so its not a surprise that there is a lot of product placement. But why do they go out of their way to pretend that these product placements are not staged? Contestant: "Man, I am hungry." Bob: "Well, there just happens to be some Jennie-O ground turkey breast in the fridge. Did you know its full of protein, low in fat, blah, blah, blah." I mean, really...could this be any less planned? And how about when they are out of house and you hear Contestant: "I am so hungry and we are so far from the house. Ugh." Dolvett: "Oh, there is a Subway around the corner. They have so many amazing healthy choices. We will just go grab something there." Uh huh. Totally spontaneous lunch decision. Sure. And all the Subway employees happen to be in hair and make-up and the lighting is perfect at Subway.

Teen Mom: Within the first five minutes of every episode, there is always a scene with the pregnant girl and her friends talking about how she got pregnant. They always ask her if they used protection or if she was on the pill. Am I really supposed to believe that these girls actually grill their friend like this AND that this is the first time they are having this conversation? I am almost positive the producers give the girls cue card question to ask the mom-to-be and its always so contrived. For a show that is pretty real (you can't make up half of the stuff that happens to these girls because it is so trashy no one would want it to be seen publicly), this really pisses me off. The girls are usually sitting at a park, in her bedroom just gabbing on her bed, or at a restaurant and grilling her on how and why she got pregnant and lecturing her on how she could have prevented it. I think this is MTV's way of covering their ass a smidge and to discuss the issue of how this might not be okay. But hey, let's film these girls and their usually dysfunctional lives anyway for everyone's entertainment. Myself included.

Other quick questions...
Million Dollar Listing New York: Is Ryan really that big of a douche as he comes across? That can't be possible. Can it?
Real Housewives of Orange Country: Is Jim for real? For real. Alexis must be as dumb as she looks. Its 2012. You are allowed to think for yourself sweetheart.
Real Housewives of Atlanta: How does Kandi explain to her daughter what she is doing in the "pleasure industry"? But girl is raking in the dough.
Real Housewives of New Jersey: How did Jacqueline really meet Chris? I am dying to know the real story.
Jerseylicious: How does Olivia afford all those clothes and accessories? Yes, they look cheap and probably are, but she has so much? Also... Did the same person paint her and Gigi's apartments? Gigi has the Tiffany Blue with the ribbon and Olivia has the Cheetah print? Wait, are those even their real apartments? Probably not. 

And maybe one question you are thinking: How does this girl have so much time on her hands to watch so much crap?
Answer: I make time. (And these are just the reality shows. This doesn't count the comedies and dramas.) DVR= Best. Invention. EVER! 
Now that we've got that out of the way, let me conclude.

I know that the producers of these shows want as many viewers as possible, but some of them treat the viewers, myself included, like dummies. I don't appreciate that. Sometimes I feel like a huge loser for noticing this stuff or for even getting irritated by it. I either want to partake in it, am mortified by it, or am just plain confused. I know I could easily turn off the TV and read to help ease the pain. Hahaha. Who am I kidding? I will keep watching. Keep judging. And probably keep getting entertained.