We have become a nation whose epicenter is television and radio. We learn from TV - from Sesame Street to Barney we are taught to listen and learn what the TV says. An apple is red, the cat says, "Meow," and on and on. Then one day we suddenly find ourselves sheltered from the pointless killings, sex scenes and language because are parents filter what we see. We go from believing what the television says to hiding our eyes, covering our ears and constantly questioning if this is something "off limits." It's no wonder we are confused. My husband and I watch Oz, it happens to be one of our favorite shows. This show has it all; all those nasty things that your parents warned you about. Situations that make you shrink in your seat. More killings than any 2 or 3 cop shows combined; there is something about watching it that empowers you. You made the decision. No filter, no censorship, all you. So, if you wake up in the night thinking about the shanked inmate or the full frontal nudity - it is you who made that bed.

So, is it possible that we watch Reality TV because we can? Are we acting out of rebellion or curiosity? I watch talk show hosts who delve daily into the psyche of the contestants, the plot and then follow that all up with; "What are these people thinking, how can people seriously tune into this stuff?" This is a legit question, what are we thinking? Why are someone else's failures, heartaches and embarrassments interesting to us? My mother used to say, "People judge each other because they aren't happy with themselves." So, my question is: How unhappy are we? Are our lives so sad that we must live thru these yahoos?

I know people who watched Temptation Island and I know for a fact they get no excitement over seeing people split up. They wouldn't want there worst enemies to split, but this is TV, be real! They could care less about the rag tag couples of the latest Fox hit. TV has always been a dream world for the average Joe. It would be odd and scary to meet someone who believes that the cast of Friends really do live in those apartments and spend their time sipping coffee at the "Central Perk." These aren't "real" people so why should we care what happens to them? They are characters specifically tailored for us to either like or hate. We are programmed by television. So, when Reality TV came along it became hard for many to separate the fact that these are real people in almost - real situations. It is easy to lose the reality part of this equation and that is exactly what the executives are hoping you will do. They want you to cheer on the ruthless, the cheaters and the liars - they want you to leave your ethics and morals behind and (if even just for the 16 episodes) give in to the temptations of turning your personal filter off.

So, who is to blame for the incessant spread of Reality TV? Is it the contestants who are willing to put their respect and integrity on the line to vie for millions, the television executives who pump the market with this genre, because the result is more advertising or the media who make the hype almost more unbearable than the actual shows? Perhaps it's none of these, but in fact the most obvious answer, the people who watch.

Even though we know these situations aren't real, we allow them to become that way and in taking that to heart we become immune to the moral injustices. When it gets to hot to deal with, when people don't like what is being said or done or when the ratings are low, We say those 4 little words that shoot the term Reality TV out of the water: It's just a game.

Trisha Thompson-Jennings is a part-time writer and television junkie.

Got a problem? Email Trisha at filmmonthly@hotmail.com