Well, I feel that it began with shows like candid camera, cops, any caught on video show. People are nosy, thats why I am often caught in traffic, everyone has to slow down and look at the accident, glee at other misfortune so they can say, damn, I guess I don't have it all that bad. Because there are so many people today who don't appreciate what they have but want what others have. Branching off of this you have the audience which yearns to identify with what they know. There are a lot out there who know Hollywood but in reality cannot identify with the professional actor. The reality show gives people a chance to see someone maybe just like them or similar and it gives a new sense of stimulus. That's just my opinion. And now reality TV has been streached to its limits. Sort of like the last few Rocky movies.