INTO THE PANDEMONIUM

For years I have decried “reality TV”. When the first Survivor came on, I told everyone the only thing I could think of was “The Running Man” and I still believe this. (Hypocrisy disclaimer: I really love Hell’s Kitchen and I watched the first season of The Osbourne's religiously, but only the first season). I think the absolute low of reality TV was the show on NBC (surprisingly, not Fox), Who Wants to Marry my Dad?

Now the Oxygen Network (the Network for Women) has hit not as low as Who Wants to Marry my Dad, but to a ridiculous level with Shannen Doherty’s new show (she’s executive producer), Breaking Up with Shannen Doherty. No, it’s not a show with camera’s following her around breaking up with boyfriends, the premise is that she will come to the aid of losers who want to break up with their boyfriend, but just can’t muster the courage and do it for them. Here’s the show description:

“Whether it's getting out of a bad relationship, an awful job or a toxic friendship, breaking up is never fun, so why do it alone? Let Shannen Doherty do the dirty work!

In Oxygen's newest reality series Breaking up with Shannen Doherty, Shannen comes to the rescue of men and women who need her expert assistance to break free. In each episode, Shannen puts the relationship and the "break-ee" to the test by creating a bogus situation caught on hidden cameras. And Shannen will be waiting in the wings to put the relationship out of its misery and deliver the news in her own unique way.”

For the love of God, people!! Back away slowly from the television set and don’t make eye contact. Turn it off and read a book, talk to your husband, go for a walk - anything but reality TV.