Reality shows. We all watch them, have heard of them or are secretly addicted to them.

They are a phenomenon that seems to have taken over the television world.
But why are they called reality shows when many of the situations are so far-fetched from reality?

It has been debated that “The Newlywed Game” was the first reality show, and in some standards I would have to agree.
It’s a newly married couple playing a game. In order to win you have to dish the most dirt out about your significant other.
I feel like that is more of a reality check for those couples than anything else.

Now, let’s fast forward a few years and skip some awful unsuccessful shows and this brings us to “Survivor.” Alright, as far as reality goes, no one is put on an island with strangers competing for money, as well as being set up with prizes and obstacles. True, the way they react is real but the situation is so far from reality that it seems a bit twisted.

MTV’s creation of “The Real World” is like “Survivor” put in a domestic setting. In my opinion this is the most relatable reality show for a college student. You see the fights, the cattiness, and the drama all unfold in front of your eyes.

Sounds like a Castleton State College dorm.
Especially on this season of “The Real World,” they have dealt with a crazy amount of issues that are facing our generation right now: dealing with someone we know and love going off to war, being accepting of people regardless of their preferences, and just living together in a cohesive manner.

So props to you “Real World,” for creating a relatable scenario for me.

Of course as a college female, when talking about reality shows, there is no way in heaven or hell that I could leave “The Hills” out of this discussion. There has been so much discussion about if the lives of Lauren, Heidi, Audrina, and the gang are for real, or if all the drama in their lives is staged.

Speaking as a 20 year-old female, of course the drama is real!

When you are surrounded by that many good looking and two-faced people, something’s bound to go down.

So, if you haven’t immersed yourself into the reality show trend, dive in, it’s never too late to catch up.

Keep it classy Castleton,
Xoxo
Melissa