I'm a fan of reality TV; not the Survivor, Bachelor, Jersey Shore shit; I mean, "Cash Cab", "River Monsters", "Animal Planet Cops", National Geographic Wild. Anyone else a fan? The world is full of many fasinating people, places and things. I can't watch any of those fake reality shows. How about "Hoarders"? Whoa, that is some nasty stuff. I know a couple of hoarders, but they aren't garbage-type hoarders; they are compulsive buyers with attics, garages and spare rooms full of stuff because it was on sale.

I happen to like the reality shows. I like Survivor, Hells Kitchen, Master Chef, RHONJ. I know I'm a weirdo.

LOVE "Cash Cab", but was disillusioned to find out that it's not just random people getting in a cab. The contestants are told that they're going to be on "a game show", but they think the cab is going to take them to the TV studio, and then the cab IS the show. Still fun and engaging, though. And why do they always go for the double or nothing?? Very few people get it right.

What is the name of the show where the guy from NJ(I think) makes different kind of cakes?

Gee, Babe I think more than half take the money and run and I would also guess that half or more correctly guess the video bonus question. I've noticed that most of the video bonus question are identifying an animal or a place. I got a couple of video questions about Italy, but I would have missed them if I didn't visit them in person; the Amalfi Coast and the Pantheon.

Every time I watch it, it seems like the people get it wrong!

We were at the Cape with my brother and nephews to see the fireworks on the 4th several years ago and got stuck in the exiting traffic. We decided to play 20 Questions to pass the time. My husband picked the answer, so my brother asked two questions - "Is it an animal?" and "Does it have four legs?" and then guessed, "Ocelot!", which happened to be the correct answer, and which drove my husband crazy.

Sure enough, one night on Cash Cab, the answer to the double or nothing was "Ocelot," and my girls and I almost fell off the couch laughing.

"River Monsters" and "Deadliest Catch" are the only two "reality" shows I watch. I also watch "No Reservations" on the travel channel, but I'm not sure if that's a "reality" show.

I don't watch any of them regularly but I will occasionally watch
Top Chef*, Top Shot, Holmes on Homes and No Reservations.

*It's probably more accurate to say I watch Padma...

I think that right after the "American Pickers" guys leave a house, the "Hoarders" camera crew arrives for the intervention!

There are SO MANY reality shows it's really hard to keep up. Some I've seen only once or twice, some you catch while channel-surfing at 3am and then the prime-time stuff like 'The Apprentice' (my favorite).

As previously admitted, I did get hooked on the 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' over the summer. Aside from that, 'My Fair Wedding w/ David Tutera' is nice. I used to find Bridezillas entertaining but not really recently since they've managed to find some of the most obnoxious bitches and spineless hubbies-to-be that ever roamed the planet. Reruns of 'Americas Next Top Model' is fun tv on weekends, they usually cover an entire cycle in the course of an afternoon.

Another great show although I don't catch it too much is 'The First 48' that follows the immediate investigation following a murder.

One show I really dislike is 'The Locator', where people put up for adoption etc. are looking for their biological parents. Nice idea but looks extremely staged and also the emotions of these people are so blatantly exploited for the cameras and the guy who 'locates' appears to have a permanent sympathetic scowl hammered onto his face. What he does for these people is swell...I just wish he didn't do it in front of tv cameras.

TV Land has had a few decent reality shows like 'Harry Loves Lisa' and 'She's Got the Look', but also some real schmaltz-fests like 'High School Reunion' and worst of all, 'Second Chance' or something like that where long ago lovers are reunited after 20+ years apart.

I remember some 7-8 years ago disagreeing with a friend who said reality shows were going to be THE tv format of the early 21st century, cover every topic imaginable and probably thrive for the next 10-20 years if not beyond that. I said no, it's just a trend started by 'Survivor' but would fizzle out after a few more years.

Chalk up one for the friend.

If you're a weirdo, then half the world is.

New show on The History Channel - "American Restoration". He's the guy who Pawn Star's Rick Harrison brings those old juke boxes and coke machines to and restore to original condition. Good stuff if you like that retro stuff with a story.

Thanks Mark. I will look for that.

I saw this great episode of American Pickers that we had taped, where they visited Historic Bushkill Park, an amusement park that was running since 1902, until it faced heavy damage from Hurricane Ivan. Mike and Frank bought two sideshow banners for $700 from the guy they met, and ended up selling them for $10,000! They were so impressed by how nice he was and by his efforts to restore the park, that they decided to give back $5,000 to him:

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/tv/index.ssf/2010/12/american_pickers_pick_their_wa.html

I love these guys.

I saw that episode too, Gina. What a great story. The look on that fellas face when Frank & Mike gave him that money back was priceless. These guys are the real thing. They are true blue gentlemen who are always giving back and spreading happiness. This is a show that everyone in my family loves and enjoys!

We get one over here called GRIMEFIGHTERS which is all about the men(and women) who clean out the sewers and drains, pest exterminators and the crews who clean out the houses and flats of people who have hoarded stuff for years or been dead for ages...... , also restaurant health inspectors in real shit hole eateries!

Grim but fascinating stuff!

well i am more of art lover so in reality shows i like shows with music and dance or anything artistic. so my favorites in reality shows are
America's Next Top Model
So You Think You Can Dance
and American Idol