Very important
I feel as though I need to make some important specifications about my interest in reality television. I have recently come to the conclusion, after much thought that could have been used to do productive things, that I am more interested in reality television programming that takes place on cable channels as opposed to the networks.
Take, for example, The Bachelor and Rock of Love Bus. While neither show is worthy of my undying devotion (unlike The Hills, which tops my all-time devotion list) I have been let down by The Bachelor in ways the Rock of Love Bus would never dare to do so. The Bachelor, perhaps because of it’s network affiliation, pretends to be classy and appeal to how people think romance may actually work. Rock of Love Bus, on the other hand, rarely includes women who have a job besides “dancing” or straight-up porn. However, Rock of Love Bus refuses to apologize for this. Instead, it flaunts the lack of respect for long-term love and, as viewers, we’re allowed multiple seasons of one man “looking for love.” I am perfectly willing to accept him from season to season without being disappointed that he never finds love. In fact, I would be almost disappointed if he were to do so.
I am angry with The Bachelor. I wasted so much time watching that show this year for the first season ever and all I got from it was true humiliation of someone on national television. The women on the Rock of Love Bus and Bret Michaels himself would never dare humiliate one another like this. True, someone may get completely drunk and humiliate him or herself, but it’s far less cringe-worthy when self induced.
In short, I prefer the entertainment value of Rock of Love Bus to the strained classiness of The Bachelor. I will no longer be investing my time in something that leaves me feeling hollow and sad. Instead, I will mindlessly entertaining myself over on VH1. The cable channels originated reality programming and I’ll stick with them, thanks.
