Get ready to cringe, boys and girls, because it's time for you to meet Bruno of FX's "Black. White." who's armed with a crude grasp of black culture, a limited ability to listen to other perspectives and a disastrous level of confidence in his own talents and charms. First, in what's supposed to be an eye-opening talk with a respected African-American professor and musician, Bruno (wearing makeup that makes him look black -- sort of -- but the professor has been told he's white) trots out a bunch of idiotic stereotypes and alienates himself within minutes. Next, he proudly plays his ridiculous "rap video" for the Sparks family, making his wife and her daughter palpably uncomfortable. But Bruno, who's obviously been living in his own little smug bubble for decades, just seems thrilled with himself. Where did they find this guy?
"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.
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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.
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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.
Reality TV Gets Real: "Find My Family"
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The Grown Ups: Mad Men, Season 3, Episode 12