With a multitude of reality TV shows clogging up the airwaves its hard to escape them. There are a plethora of shows such as Big Brother, Wife Swap and anything that starts with “Celebrity.” Television producers are getting lazier. And richer. For all of these shows requires that the viewer interact by phoning or texting in their vote or opinion. They are being asked to become emotionally involved in the outcome of the show by loving or hating the participants.

This is true of programmes such as Pop Idol and the X Factor which can attract millions of viewers particularly on the climax of the final where all the emotion and the money that the viewers have invested in the show comes to a head. All these shows need is the standard panel of judges (at least one nasty one-usually Simon Cowell) and lots of eager participants willing to make fools of themselves all in the name of entertainment. The concept is simple. The celebrities and producers profit while the participants become pawns in an evil game, viewers part with their hard earned cash so that more of these terrible shows can be made.