Reality TV - Dumb and Dumber

With a new TV season starting this fall, I am glad to see a lot of new scripted shows.  That said, reality TV is returning and does not seem to be going anywhere fast except a new locale in some cases.  Here is a sampling:

-- The Real Housewives of Beverly Hill is in season 2.
-- Jersey Shore is in season 4 and season 5 is in the can (I wish literally).
-- The Biggest Loser is now in season 12.
-- The Bachelor is now in season 16.
-- The Amazing Race is now in season 19 and going all over the place.
-- Survivor is in season 23 and going to the South Pacific.

Now some of these shows are better than others, but beware.  I think the participants, public, and advertisers need to be careful.  Last month, Psychology Today reported on the suicide of the husband of one of the participants in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The author states,

I think Reality Television has made us dumber, if only because it has made everyone believe that the poorly scripted, crudely edited, and horribly acted crap we are fed is an actual form of reality. It absolutely is not. But I think that the real problem is that Reality Television has made so many of us lose our sense of self in search of a public existence we probably don't really want and can't really stand.
 
In another article the author notes,

Reality TV also makes us a little less tolerant of people's genuine suffering. When viewers turn to "Hoarders" and "Celebrity Rehab" to ogle at the mess that people with debilitating psychological and physiological problems have made of their lives, it is less with a sense of compassion then with gruesome curiosity. 

And  let's not forget the recent dust-up between Abercrombie & Fitch and Jersey Shore, where the clothing company is offering to pay one of the Jersey Shore cast members not to wear its clothing.  According to a company statement, "“We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans."  I cannot say I understand all the fuss, since I did not know Abercrombie & Fitch even sold clothes based on the ads I have seen, but I guess its good PR for all involved.  Even so, it may be wise for other companies to take note.  You do not need your brand flashing on the torso of some kid being arrested for lude and obnoxious behavior associated with a reality program (or at least I do not believe so, but then again I am not in marketing).