The only reality TV I watch is The Real Housewives of Orange County. Survivor, The Apprentice, or the others are no interest to me whatsoever. So I don't think you're misguided or naive. TV, is like reading, just want to get away from 'real' life for a bit.

Hey! Welcome to a new Blaze babe and to Cigars. :) Love the cover, and can't wait to read it. :)

I don't watch a lot of reality TV, but I am a Survivor addict. I have to admit, in general I don't find it a particularly negative show, or I wouldn't watch it either. I also like the Amazing Race, though I find it harder to catch on the TiVo because the time is always being thrown off by sports. Grrr. LOL

But I tend to look at these two shows as people trying something new, an adventure, and seeing if they can do it -- I am always impressed with the housewife who can handle the physical challenges or the person who manages to win w/out ever really doing anything back-handed (like fireman Tom, who is probably everyone's favorite). I like seeing people do more than they think they are capable of. There are such interesting clashes of personality, and while Survivor has its low moments, in general I find it entertaining and engaging and I love rooting for my favorite. However, I have caught some of the other reality shows, especially the dating ones, and I find those ridiculous. I never understand why all of these pretty girls would want to compete over one guy -- what's so great about him? LOL

But I like your take on fantasy and romance... and it makes me even more interested to read your book!

Sam

Hi Jillian. I have watched Survivor, The Amazing Race and American Idol, and The Next Food Network Star but they are not a must see for me. I do find it amazing that people will go to such lengths on some of the reality shows to win.

Hi Marcie,

I can totally understand about wanting to escape reality for just a little while. I've never watched the OC Housewives show. So, what is it about Orange County Housewives that's fun for you? Do they lead priveledged lives? Is it the mansions? the cars? The clothes? The shopping? I can see how that would be fun.
THanks for posting!
Jillian

I think I like it because of its excessiveness and though they are super rich some of the things they go through are what regular class people go through (divorce, controlling parent). And what cracks me up - how catty these women can be! I like when they have the reunion shows too because they are more on the spot and you can see how nice one is compared to another's cattiness or jealousy.
There's a new one - Housewives of New Jersey that just started. I wasn't able to watch the NY one - too snobby for my taste. And couldn't get into Atlanta. For whatever reason the OC just caught me and reeled my in.

In that show, the host is the mean one, mostly because people make some dumb mistakes. (Burning another chef by putting a 500% pan where the cold pans are kept) Some folks are evil, but that never works in winning. The people tonight got to the finale by keeping their heads down and cooking well. Since I can't cook at all, though, I'm riveted. :)

Best of luck with your new book!
Dee

I don't watch any reality shows regularly but I do enjoy them occasionally even though they're "staged" if not actually scripted. The Amazing Race is fun to watch just because they go to really unusual locations that you'd never otherwise see, like secondary cities in Russian and China, and they do crazy "challenges" based on local activities like stacking logs or sand painting. In general people are pretty nice to each other, too :-)

I like watching people being people, I guess I'm always fascinated by what makes them tick, even if it's not necessarily positive. There don't seem to be so many of them anymore, but I enjoy home and garden makeover shows, too, especially when they're done by the neighbors. Cooperation, transformation, and a happy ending--kind of like a romance novel :-)

Congrats again on the new release!

Jen
http://www.jenlewis.com

Hi Jillian--I love the title of your book. Very evocative.

I do watch reality TV. In fact right now it's the only TV I watch-- my favorites are Project Runway, Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen (a bit campy and possibly scripted), So You Think You Can Dance (my absolute favorite), and The Next Food Network Star. I see a bit of food-oriented them in my TV watching, lol.

I am a fan of fantasy, too, but it's so cool to see people with talent working for a goal. I don't watch the dating/hook up reality shows or stuff like that, though. I got suckered into one a long time ago and ended up feeling like I'd wasted a whole bunch of time.

So good to have you here at Cigars, Jillian.

Jeannie

I don't watch anything on tv but sports.
Give me a good book and I'm happy.

Hi Jillian,
I do watch reality TV, but not as much as I used to. Many reality shows are scripted, so I feel as if I'm watching a regular sitcom or drama. The last reality show I followed was Celebrity Rehab. It's entertaining to see celebrities acting all crazy, but it's also sad to see them struggling with addiction.

I'm not into reality tv either, Jillian. I think the editing they do, and rumors/stories of how the show's producers etc antagonize the people on the show/house to create more drama just... isn't right.
However, I admit to being glued to the tv once or twice during a "girls next door" marathon. I ... just... don't... I ... haha I don't get it! But I think for that show, or say, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" - you know they're playing to the camera, and they know it, and... well it's interesting.
However, I miss "old school" tv, good sit coms, and dramas, and when networks didn't kill shows and switch them out like, I'd say gum, but it feels like shows don't last even that long. I try to avoid the reality tv.

Is there such a thing anymore? So much of is scripted that it is no where near reality. I was a major biggest loser fan and loved to see the finale and see who has changed their lives. But this last show the woman that won really lost too much weight IMO and looked sick. So i think they pushed the losig to win mentality a little too much there.
the only reality tv that i watch and that isnt about building alicances, or backstabbing is the seasons of "The next foodnetwork star" and if your daughter wants to be a chef thats a really good place to start. Nothing is over the top, except the food.
Food network is a good place for her to watch period, excellent cooking shows. They make it look fun, and IMO cooking should be fun. right
Like they say if you don't have fun doin it, stop!
good post, the book sounds killer.
jodylynn

We do watch some--the whole family enjoyed this past season of The Amazing Race, and my daughter and I are entranced (mostly) by Dancing With the Stars (does that really count as reality TV? I tend to completely discount anything that has "stars" in the title!) We did used to watch Iron Chef, but not much else lately...

And no, I don't think you're naive or misguided--I agree that you should spend your entertainment time on stuff you enjoy and in general that lifts your spirits!

Congrats on Let it Ride--hot cover!

Hi Jillian!
Nope, I don't watch any Reality TV, nor much TV in general at all! I hate to jump in the middle of a show and not know what happened from the beginning. I'm not good at remembering to watch a show! Even when I watched Moonlight last year, I recorded it so I watched it when I remembered! I guess like with books, we can pick up anytime to watch but with these reality shows you need to watch when they are on cuz the word spreads with the spoilers right away! I guess I too have my head in the sand (with a book too) LOL

A joy to meet you!

I love reality shows such as Survivor, The Amazing Race but alas don't have as much time as I used to since I went back to work on nights.

This is so awesome ! I thought I was the only one that *whisper* don't watch reality tv. I DO NOT LIKE IT ! I agree with you Jillian, I also don't like to watch real life in all its gory detail. I want to relax, these shows don't relax me, they drive me insane. Rather give me a romance to read, thank you :)

The winner from yesterday's drawing from among all who posted a comment is JodyLynn!
JodyLynn if you could please email me at julietburns@gmail.com with your snailmail address I'll send you a copy of LET IT RIDE!
Thank you to Samantha for hosting me here yesterday, it was wonderful fun! And thank you to everyone who came by to post a comment! Y'all ROCK!!
Hugs,
Jillian