We remain absorbed with Tyra Banks' baby Oprah routine; we're convinced that if you could bottle her determination, it may smell like hell but could surely move mountains. Still, we doubt she'll ever truly inherit the big O's Sister-Girl mantle. For starters, Oprah does, even with her kagillions, speak to the common folk. She's overcome horrific childhood experiences and regularly grapples with the big issues of the day with true compassion. Tyra was a teen sitcom star and supermodel, and concerns herself with people's fear of . . . pennies. And her own fear, which she revealed recently on her own show. A big shout-out to Scott Peterman for sending this in.
"Big Brother," meet "Survivor"; "Survivor," meet "The Real World"
A throwback to a time when six hours of reality television a week was considered a lot.
By Andy Dehnart, Salon
Three cheers for reality TV
Pundits can tut-tut all they want, but reality shows rule television for a simple reason: The best of them are far more compelling than the worn-out sitcoms and crime dramas the networks keep churning out.
By Heather Havrilesky, Salon
How I learned to love (and hate) "American Idol"
For seven years I ignored the world's biggest pop culture spectacle. But thanks to my daughter -- and the stunningly original Adam Lambert -- I finally caved.
By Gary Kamiya, Salon
I actually was 16 and pregnant
And while TV often bungles what it's like to be a teen mother, MTV's reality series got it (mostly, movingly) right.
By Amy Benfer, Salon
The reality of reality television
n+1 waxes philosophical about the least philosophical medium known to man: reality TV.
By Mark Grief, n+1
Reality TV: what it is, who watches it, and why it exists
A comprehensive history of reality TV, with clips.
There’s Never a Steven Segal Around When You Need One
Fry It Up: Top Chef Las Vegas Episode 13 -- Final Four
The Salahis: Symbol of a Decade?
The Grown Ups: Mad Men, Season 3, Episode 12