So what's the deal with so called reality TV? It was bad enough when Fox did it, but now every network wants a piece of the reality TV pie. Well you know what? I'm not hungry anymore! (groan) Even television shows that do not fall under that category, sitcoms such as Friends or my personal favorite (Seinfeld), are just television shows about people who do nothing. Why is this form of entertainment successful at all?

Obviously characters who are drawn from real life are easier to relate to, however, how entertaining is it to watch people who are just like you or me except utterly humorless. I wish I could have been there when some clown was pitching the idea of the show, Big Brother. The producer probably asked : "So what's the show about?" To which the fool replied:

"Well, there are some people who can't leave the house."

"Is it a nice house?"

"Oh yeah!"

"What do they do in the house?"

"Eat, sleep? Fight their own boredom."

"That's it?"

"Well, maybe we can have some skanks on the show who can't stop talking about how horny they are?"

"Maybe we can?"

And so Big Brother was born. A show about staying inside until it hurts.

I'm especially surprised that even young audiences are now increasingly more amused by programs about real life.

Remember waking up on Saturday morning and watching cartoons until noon or later? I haven't done that in a long time. My parents say it is because I've matured and I am now too old to watch cartoons. To them I argue: "Well, sure I've matured a great deal, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy watching a cartoon or two. Now if you'll excuse me I planted a dollar in the backyard. My money tree should be starting to grow now."

Instead of portraying fantastic settings, the media attempts to educate and portray so called reality. More and more television shows are about going to school. Namely, Recess, Student Bodies and 'shudder' Doug! I remember thinking to myself: "When did that happen?" When I woke up on a Saturdays I didn't want to be reminded about school. I craved the escapist nature of the cartoons back in my day. Cartoons like DinoRiders, Ninja Turtles, GI Joe, Cops and Transformers(old school Transformers not that Beasties crap!

If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would probably have told you, "I want to be a Ghostbuster when I grow up!!!" or "I want to be a cybernetically enhanced police officer!!!" or "I want to build and design and engineer technodromes". I think the nature of these fantastic programs like He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, set the bar a little higher for kids, making them a little more creative. I mean, there is life beyond school! I suppose more realistic television is easier to relate to, but tell me, whose resume is more impressive? Cobra Commander's or that of the dude from Saved by the Bell. I mean how is Doug more fascinating than He-Man? What would you rather be, some loser kid in high school or the master of the whole universe? THE WHOLE UNIVERSE?

Well, now for a dose of the fantastic, we must look to Japan and their various cute and furry monsters with super powers. Or indulge in show after show about giant robots.

Sure enough the phenomenon of art imitating life has even made its mark in the video game world. For anyone who owns the Sims, at some point you have likely been faced with the challenge of explaining what the game is all about. You might begin by saying, "Well, you make a guy and the guy has to get dressed, take a shower and probably eat before going to work."

To which your friend might respond by donning a confused look, "And then what?"

"Well, then your guy might have to take a dump, so you click on the toilet and watch him or her relieve themselves."

"You watch them go to the bathroom? That's sick!!! Do you see there?"

It soon becomes obvious that your friend probably thinks you're a loser. "Ah their crazy!" you might declare as you boot up the Sims. And then one day it just dons on you. As you watch your Sim pull down his or her pants to take a seat on the can you think to yourself: "There is something missing in my life."

Conclusion? Every year the media spends billions of dollars producing 'entertainment' which recreates the experience of day to day life. This, we need? Why should I be entertained by making a virtual breakfast when I can do the real thing? Is taking a shower really such a rare experience that it has to be recreated in a video game? (Well, maybe for some people). Well, whatever it is that drives people to watch life instead of live it, it has made producers happier than pigs in mud. Please note this is in no way a criticism. I like watching people do stuff just like anyone else. It sure beats doing stuff myself.

Just do me one favor. Next time your Sim's bladder meter is going red, exit the game and shut down the computer. Go to the bathroom(the real bathroom), flip the lid up on the toilet and let her rip! And while experiencing the exhileration of relieving yourself realize that you just can't beat the real thing.