Reality TV

There are a slew of new reality shows: Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood, Moves, Kitchen Nightmares, Pussycat Doll's Present, Kid Nation, and fan-favorite Big Brother is reportedly pulling in their shooting schedule due to the writer's strike. With so many shows to choose from, it might help to break down Reality TV into categories.

1. Can't we all just get along?

These shows are a microcosm of society and they're easily recognizable with their diverse representation of contestants. The select group of individuals is forced to live or work together and a few stressors are thrown in to bring out the worst in everyone. Survivor is the king of this category, stranding 12 players in a remote location and letting them fend for themselves. The players freeze, starve, get eaten by bugs, injured and if that wasn't enough, they are in constant risk of being voted out. Big Brother uses many of these tactics when they lock a group of people in a house and keep them under constant surveillance for 3 months. If you like to see people taken out of their comfort zones and lots of interpersonal conflict, this may be the category for you. Other options to consider...

The Real World - Reaching out to whole new generation after 15^th seasons

The Amazing Race - Teams of pairs race around the globe for a million bucks. The best part of this game is to see all the different relationship dynamics: Fathers & Daughters Couples, Newlyweds, Gay Couples, Best Friends and people from all types of cultures.

Kid Nation (Free babysitting for 3 months, where do I sign up?)

2. How the other half lives...

The shows that peek into people's lives, whether the rich and famous, or poor and unknown, you'll feel better about your life after you tune in. I find it really fascinating to watch celebs dealing with annoying neighbors, family drama and PMS. It's nice to see they're people too. We got a taste of the good life with Ozzy and Sharon, in the Osbournes and saw a real life train wreck on The Anna Nicole Show. What can you say after watching either Anna or Ozzy stumbling around and speaking incoherently but "Kids--Just say NO to drugs!" These "unscripted" shows are great escapes into other people's lives:

The Hills - Sex in the City on the West Coast

Laguna Beach - Privileged teens and their drama: "Daddy, I wanted the 2008 Escalade!" See also: My Sweet Sixteen, Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive, Growing up Gotti and Newport Harbor.

The Real Housewives of Orange County - Same as above, with adults acting as badly as their privileged teens.

Keeping up the Kardashians - Following Kim, Khloe and Kourtney and their mom Kris. (We get it - all the girls' names start with K - very Kute)

Breaking Bonaduce (Mission accomplished), Hogan Knows Best, Hey Paula, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List.

As for the "regular" folk - you can see them on Wife Swap, Extreme Home Makeover, Clean House and Intervention.

3. How far will you go?

I want to lump in the extreme game shows and the dating shows into the category. In both cases, I usually watch with my mouth hanging open or cover my eyes. Just how far will people go to grab 15 minutes of fame? They'll date Flavor Flav, New York or Tila Tequila. They'll drink a rotten-fish, cockroach, sheep eyeball, and cow testicle smoothie on Fear Factor.

Since the Bachelor, dating shows have blossomed into various bouquets: some beautiful and some just stink. Here are a few:

Age of Love - Hunky tennis star has his choice of ladies, either in the 40s or 20s.

Bachelorette - Sexual equality, y'all. The boys can't have all the fun.

Temptation Island, Love Cruise, The Last Resort, Joe Millionaire,

On the other extreme: Dog eat Dog, Solitary, Unanimous, and Hard Knocks

4. Watch and learn

Of course you can learn stuff from shows like, Are you Smarter then a Fifth Grader or 1 versus 100. But we can also learn lessons from the Biggest Loser and Beauty and the Geek - Judge others based on who they are, not how they look. Other shows that inspire or teach something worth learning are: Shaq's Big Challenge, What Not to Wear (appearances do still matter after all), Nanny 911 and Trading Spaces.

5. Make you or Break you

These are the shows that will either make someone's career or stop it dead in its tracks. We've seen nearly every profession performed and judged (ok, maybe not the oldest profession) for our viewing pleasure. The Apprentice pits A Type Pit Bulls against with the award being an opportunity to work with the Big Dog, Donald Trump. We've seen the winners, Bill Rancic and losers. Omerosa, come out on top. We've learned how hard it is to say "Cheese" with America's Next Top Model, The Agency, and The Most Smartest Model. We've heard singers it high and low notes on American Idol, Nashville Star, Rock Star, Making the Band. If you like to see people succeed (or fail) at their chosen profession, here are a few other choices:

Project Runway - Fashion Designers compete for $100,000 to start their own line and an opportunity to feature/sell their designs.

Design Star - Interior Designers compete for their own HGTV show.

Shear Genius - Hair Designers cut hair for prizes

On the Lot - Aspiring directors vie for a contract with DreamWorks.

Phenomenon - Magicians perform for $250,000.

Last Comic Standing, Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, The Contender, and American Inventor

6. Can I watch?

People just doing what they do, but somehow it's fascinating. Not to be confused with celebs or rich kids misbehaving, these are just "ordinary" folks. The Restaurant, American Chopper, Airline, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Family Plots, Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch, The Casino, Miami Ink and Workout (There's something strange about watching people workout on TV. .I can't quite put my finger on it. Oh well, pass the chips.)

Obviously, there is plenty to choose from and whether you're a fan or not, Reality TV is here to stay. So just sit back and enjoy.