"CELEB-REALITY" IS THE NEW SOAP OPERA

Long ago in the 80's, soap operas offered the ultimate TV escape - melodramatic tales of opulent lifestyles ridden with love, betrayal and scandal. Then in the 90's we began watching characters whose lives more closely mirrored our own...from 90210 and Melrose to the 'o.g.' reality shows like Donahue and Cops.

In an interesting twist, the pendulum has swung back as our 21st century hunger for the melodramatic is satisfied through tales of celebrity life - tales of opulent lifestyles ridden with love, betrayal and scandal. The media skillfully produces enticing stories starring Hollywood's noteworthy, conceiving plots, creating rivalries and planting salacious rumours that appeal to our voyeurism. We eagerly tune into entertainment shows for our daily fix.

Even conventional 'reality show' producers have replaced the average joe (no pun intended) and girl-next-door types with celebrities. i.e. Surreal Life, The Osbournes, Growing Up Gotti. So what's next in 'celeb-reality'? I predict at least two more seasons of celeb-reality in our future. And I wouldn't be surprised if the next hit starred a U.S. politician or British royalty type. Stay tuned!