I think it depends on what shows you like. Plenty of my favorite shows have been around for a few seasons (Prison Break, House MD, Gilmore Girls, L&O:SVU, Grey's Anatomy, Medium). But notice most of my favorites are police/crime and hospital dramas which tend to do well with viewers.

The first ever "reality" show was on PBS, when there was no such thing as cable.

You mean nature shows and documentaries?

Wow, I didn't know that. I always thought that reality shows got their start with MTV's Real World.

Wow.

That's what I was thinking too...anything before that, the shows on PBS (and PBS-like channels) are documentaries or nature shows because I don't recall anything similar to Real World on PBS.

What "reality" show was on PBS?

It was called An American Family and came on in 1973. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_American_Family

For real, yo.

In addition to An American Family - we went through a lovely time in the late 1970's when we had this and this. Now THAT was stupid television.

And don't forget "America's Funniest Home Videos." :rolleyes:

Well, that's more "reality" than "reality." I used to call it "dumb." Still do. Surprised it came back.

Now I feel really stupid. Thanks for the information.

All I watch is cable

Honestly, I'd love if they did novellas like they do on Spanish networks. It's basically anywhere from a few months to a bit longer than a year with really good plots, a WHOLE lot of non-cheesy (not in all cases, just the really good ones) romance, and sometimes (unfortunately in the case of a damn good show) and ending the resolves everything and you get a break from being home every night at 10 to watch it.

I think reality shows should belong on cable or a station strickly for that venue. These shows have taken away the quality tv that was once was. I just cannot get into watching fear factor and the grotisque things they had to endure on that show. Survivor just has run its course. Yes it was cool the first two seasons but now ...i got nothing! We all have busy lives and the last thing i want to do is watch reality i rather get embroiled into a good story line vs reality. IF i wanted reality i would just turn the tv off and go out and see reality outside my front door.

There are some shred left of great shows like Greys Anatomy, ER , Studio 60, Gilmore Girls,etc... But when they take great show away and replace it with reality TV then becomes a real turn off!

I'm not sure I really want reality TV. I really love Grey's Anatomy style shows that are like soap operas, but more realistic (yeah I know Grey's Anatomy isn't realistic, but it's several steps above General Hospital).