What is your take on reality shows these days?

Here's the thing... there's plenty of programming out there for the "good ole, sappy" folks, and reality tv certainly isn't the only bastion for stuff you might find to be distasteful or pushing the envelope, even though it's the easy target.

Fact is, reality tv shows like American Idol and Dancing with the Stars comprise the highest end of the reality-done-right spectrum, are mostly family friendly, and aren't going anywhere any time soon.

Shows like FULL HOUSE and GROWING PAINS seem like they'd be less likely to bloom today because our overall taste in what's funny has also shifted, thanks in no small part to the proliferation of cable shows that made it possible for edgier comedy to gain traction and exposure. That said, 7th HEAVEN had no trouble finding an audience --- the trouble is that small fragments of the population who have problems with adult situations are growing more vociferous about their dislikes, attempting to impose them on everyone. I'm as conservative as the next guy, and I usually shy away from shows that rely on easy sex jokes, but I'm not going to complain about them getting made if they're finding an audience.

Reality tv revenue, by the way, supports the spiraling costs of scripted television, enabling networks to continue to put out bigger and better shows that may not be so profitable on first airings, becoming valuable only as costs are amortized over a lifetime of reruns.

I watch tv, in order to be educated, like the history channel or discovery, and also to be entertained. I find the reality shows to be shallow, and a poor excuse for entertainment. There are too many tv shows that do not promote ethics, and overall positve behavior, and it sickens me that our young people are subjected to it.