To Much Reality?

[image error]So here's a question for all of you who watch reality shows (me included)…can a show go too far?   I'm asking the question because of the news that Taylor Armstrong's husband, Russell committed suicide.  Now I don't watch the Real Housewives series, but I do watch the news and of course was shocked, and weirdly entranced with the news coverage of his death and the speculation as to how the show would handle it.  And a part of me couldn't help but think that we shouldn't be covering it at all.  That this poor man's life was turned upside down because of our seemingly insatiable[image error] appetite to be voyeurs.

As reality shows begin to push the boundaries more and more, should there be lines that can't be crossed?   The question isn't a new one.  Shows like Jerry Springer, Maury Povitch, Sally Jessie, and even at times Oprah, pushed the same envelope in a different format.  But there was eventually a backlash from viewers, and this type of programming started to disappear.  However, I saw a promo recently for a new show on one of the cable channels that looked suspiciously like Maury's old "Who Fathered My Baby" shows. [image error]

I'm not here to pass judgment either way.  I just think in light of the man's suicide, it's a relevant question.  And as a society one that I think we need to at least acknowledge, if not examine.

So how about you?  Have you been watching Housewives?  Do you think the show contributed to his death?  Are we pushing the envelope too far?  Inquiring minds…

 

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