Since the premiere of Real World in 1992 on MTV, reality television has become an international pastime and guilty pleasure. That single show proved that people are fascinated with pseudo-voyeurism and watching the interpersonal dynamics of a diverse group. From that experiment blossomed all of reality television. Now you can find some facet of reality television on almost every network that covers pretty much anything you would want to see. From the classics, like Survivor or Big Brother, to the shenanigans of Real Housewives or Keeping Up With The Kardashians, no matter what type of reality television you like, there’s something for you.
Of course, with all of these choices, finding time to watch your favorite reality stars and keep up with the happenings of the Duggars or the latest contestants on The Apprentice is difficult (although, given Donald Trump’s recent promotion on top of his firing by NBC, it doesn’t seem likely that The Apprentice will continue). That’s why you need some way to watch and record all of your favorite shows so you can view them at your leisure.
Getting the right cable package for your viewing needs is essential. Make sure you contact your cable company to make sure your television package is what you expect it to be. For example, SuddenLink offers a competitive channel selection that you can bundle with either a TiVo or Video on Demand. TiVo allows you to record all of your favorite shows so you can watch them at home, while VoD allows you to watch selected shows from anywhere on your mobile device or at home.
Selecting the right channel package for a reality television fan then becomes important. Great reality television doesn’t just come on the standard big four networks of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. You can find excellent shows on The Learning Channel, The History Channel, A&E, MTV, and even Bravo. Make sure your cable package has the channels you need to stay in touch with the reality stars that you love.
That doesn’t even count the number of new reality television shows that are coming out every year. Reality shows aren’t just about watching people bicker or try to select who they’re going to ask to marry them, even if those can be entertaining. You can also find reality shows with former superstars going about their day to day lives, showcasing how connected all of us really are.
If you’re in the mood to learn how to survive should you get lost in the Serengeti, Bear Grylls has you covered on that one. And if you’d like to learn survival skills from someone who doesn’t stay in a hotel while shooting his shows, perhaps Les Stroud and Survivorman would be more to your liking.
Reality television shows are as diverse as the audience watching them, and many produce twists and turns that surprise even their own producers. After all, who could have predicted the success that would find Honey Boo Boo and her mother, or the drama that transitioned the successful TLC show, Jon & Kate Plus 8 into just Kate Plus 8? It’s these shocking things that have hooked millions of Americans and billions of people around the world into watching reality television. And whether you love it or hate it, one thing is sure: reality television is here to stay. Check out Mythology and the Coming Great Deception (DVD) by Rob Skiba to learn how the myths and legends of the gods of the ancient world can help us better understand the Bible.
