Why Has Television Gone to Reality and Crime?

I remember as a child having our family "prime time" after dinner while watching our 30 minute family sitcoms. I'm sad that we can't do that with our children today. The only way we can do that is by watching The Disney Channel and Nick @ Nite.

I admit that I was once into reality shows when they weren't on every channel all the time. The Real World was one I used to watch. However, only for the first couple seasons before it got to be more about people getting their time in the spotlight knowing they'd be on television. I really have a hard time believing that anyone would truly be themselves with a video camera rolling. Especially when they know that it will be out there for the whole world to see. I also know how much they edit those shows to help their ratings. There were a few crime type shows that I watched such as The Practice, and NYPD Blue. But there again, it was before there were so many of the same types of shows.

What happened to being able to sit down as a family and watch some short shows about family life and be able to laugh because you can see yourself in some of the television families? Why can't we get back to that way of life? I was extremely disappointed when I looked up the shows on the fall lineups for the major television stations.

It's so bad that we don't have our television even on any of the main channels anymore in the evening. The things that happen or the things they say on television just appalls me at times. Not that I am personally offended, but more because I can't believe they allow it on something other than cable. I choose to keep that away from my children for now. I know they will see or hear things soon enough, but my job is to look out for what's best for them and helping them become the best they can grow into.

All this, which is my personal opinion, leads me to the next topic. We watch Nickelodeon in the evenings for Nick @ Nite. They are always airing commercials for the Family Table. This concept has become less and less common. I am guilty of not living that example as well (I admit that). But if Nickelodeon spends their time making it a point to get families to spend more time together, why don't the "main" stations do the same? Are there really that many people out there who don't want those family sitcom type shows on anymore?

At this point, all I can do is hope that one day these major stations will bring back at least a few of the sitcoms that will eventually end up in reruns on Nick @ Nite. I miss that time with my family as a child, and it makes me miss it even more when I can't experience that with my family now.

I understand that times change and the world is not the same as it was years ago. However, the concept and value of family should've stayed the same in the shows that have come out lately. I love the fact that our kids actually enjoy so many different shows from Lassie to Dukes of Hazard to Cosby Show to Fresh Prince of Belair to Roseanne. I do have to admit that it does make me smile to see my children ASK to watch reruns of these shows.