Heres an AP report featuring controversial footage from an Arizona cable program called Tempe StreetBeat, which is hosted by the mustachioed officer enforcing law in front of the camera. Last August, after two men were pulled over for littering in a shopping mall parking lot, the cop offers to dismiss a ticket if the men agree to compose a rap on the spot. Civil rights groups are reportedly calling the incident an example of police insensitivity to the black community. The Mayor apologizes for the video and says its unacceptable and we look forward to doing much better. Its unclear whether hes talking about community relations or production values. Television and music producers (are not) reportedly calling Tempe StreetBeat and the rap insults to their respective industries, but they should be. Note to producers of HBOs The Wire: please dont ever move your show from Baltimore to Tempe.
"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.
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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.
Going Back to the Future on Dancing With the Stars
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The Eternal Urgency of War Hawks
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