Discuss: Reality shows - top TV or trash?

10:10am Friday 18th July 2008

Comments (14)   Have your say »

BIG Brother first appeared on TV screens eight years ago today. Are you a fan of the show and all the other 'reality' series it has spawned?

When Big Brother first launched it created a massive buzz.

People were fascinated by having fly-on-the-wall access to watching the first housemates live together, and the show offered the unique experience of being able to watch online as well on TV.

Now in its ninth series, dozens of weird and wacky contestants have achieved fame and notoriety after appearing on the show.

Big Brother has been controversial along the way and has had many critics, but it has also remained popular with viewers.

Since its first appearance in 2000 numerous other reality TV shows have appeared, either casting 'regular' people as the stars or putting celebrities into unscripted situations.

Are you a fan of Big Brother and other reality TV shows?

What is the appeal of reality TV for people appearing on it and viewers watching it?

Has the genre been good for TV over the past eight years or has it had a harmful effect on the quality of prime time programmes?

Many new celebrities are created on reality shows, but do the shows exploit contestants?

Is the popularity of reality TV simply a sign of our celebrity-obsessed times or does it say something deeper about human nature?

What do you think? Add your comments below.