Ocho? Oh no! Not another reality TV show!

VH1 is on the consistent rise for having the most “drama filled” reality shows. Recently, this coming September, they were supposed to broadcast a show called “Eve and Ocho” which was supposed to follow Chad Johnson (Ochocinco) former Wide Receiver for Miami Dolphins and his new wife, Evelyn Lozada, who was a star of the VH1 series “Basketball Wives. What happened?

The over the weekend, it was reported that he was arrested for “head-butting” her because of an argument supposedly over a receipt for condoms. News reports are claiming the “head-butt” was so sever that Lozoda (Johnson’s wife) has a three-inch facial laceration. The whole incident has caused Johnson to be released from his contract from the Dolphins and now a canceled show on VH1.

This is not the first time a reality show has caused “real life” drama to leave the screen. There have been lawsuits, physical fights, pregnancies, divorces, and even deaths all due to shows. What is this saying? Is reality TV too realistic or is it adding more fuel to the already blazing fire?

To the audience watching, wishing they could have even a piece of these celebrity lives, is it worth it? There are people trying to mimic these lifestyles and are going broke only to see what is on TV isn’t close to what real life is like. Plastic surgeries have gone up since the rise of reality shows. Teenage pregnancies, which is ridiculous, also has risen for a chance to start on MTV’s 16 and pregnant??? Many of these so-called stars have gone into debt, foreclosed homes, left their families all for the price of fame? Who is to blame?

The reality is, these shows are just that, shows for entertainment. Unfortunately, because cyber web, cameras following people, egos, money and fame is involved, entertainment has been taken to another level. The highest rated TV shows are usually violent and humiliating, for some. This is a reflection on society. This is what we are allowing in our homes and people are viewing it. By watching these shows, we have said: yes it is ok to be married for only 72 days, get pregnant and show case your life on TV, have a child with an athlete, rapper, or be the mistress to a millionaire and you will be happy, make a fool of yourself on TV just for a little fame. We have made all of this ok and we blame TV for what has happened in real life? Where are your minds? It is a wonder if these people fighting and clawing for 15 minutes realize that in 10-15 years, no one is going to even remember or care? What the audience will remember are the negative things associated with what they have done. Later they want to blame production, blame yourselves!

Producers cannot produce a show no one is going to watch. At the same time, it is up to people to be responsible for themselves when it comes to their own lives. Back to Chad Johnson, the attention-hoarding athlete is paying a high price for his fame. His stock has gone down with these allegations. He was once a loved over the top player who is now disregarded for all of his on the field skills and is considered a “woman beater”. That is not a title that can easily disappear. In fact, it never goes away? He isn’t the first one. Chris Brown anyone? Mike Vick?

Bottom line, what glitters isn’t gold. We know this and have learned this as facts. What is going to be done to change what is currently happening? Can we separate what is happening on TV from reality or is it too late? For some of these stars it is. A warning to whoever decides to display your life on television, just when you think the camera is turned off; there is always one constantly following you around…