“Reality television.” We all complain about it, we all hate it, and yet these “reality-based” shows are getting ratings. The fact of the matter is shows like “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance” and “The Surreal Life” are our guilty pleasures, our media drug. They’re horrific train wrecks that we can’t help but slow down and stare at as we drive by.

I can go on about our obsession with other peoples’ lives and the voyeuristic qualities of our entertainment (“Big Brother,” anyone?), but that’s been done to death. I can talk about how, even if these shows are horrible, they are slightly entertaining. I’ll even admit to being addicted to “American Idol” (but only the audition episodes). I can even talk about the “reality TV” quality that our news has taken on (“Did you hear what Ben said to Jen that one time? Gosh, I hate it when they fight.”)

But I would rather discuss a new phenomenon in television.

I believe that you would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t seen an episode of “I Love The ’80s.” This series, which airs on heavy rotation on VH1, and its sequel, “I Love The ’80s: Strikes Back,” have become the latest fad. The show is based on the “do you remember this?” idea, showcasing the fads, music and television shows of the ’80s and featuring commentary from comedians and celebrities on segments about Strawberry Shortcake and other media icons. This series did so well that it was followed by its sister series, “I Love The ’70s.”

What’s wrong with that, you may ask. There is nothing technically wrong with nostalgia-inspiring entertainment. I personally enjoy hearing all about The Care Bears and The New Kids On The Block (NKOTB to all die-hard fans). But one has to wonder about the effect that shows like these have on our culture.

“I Love The ’80s” and all its brethren shows are basically past culture repackaged. It’s the same old stuff, in a shiny new package. The ’80s has infiltrated our lives once again. Jennifer Beal sweatshirts are all the rage and in every store you look, there’s an ALF tee-shirt or an ET doll. And while it is fun and entertaining, it is really detrimental to our cause. These shows have aided an infiltration of our pop culture by past icons.

Add them with reality TV shows where the trick is that they have to get married at the end of an obstacle course, but what they don’t know is that there is no money, and he’s a gay actor and she’s really the Queen of England, and you’ve got our culture. Our entertainment is reality and reality is our entertainment. Our news is entertainment and celebrity lives make up our news. We are a culture without culture, feeding off of the last decade, thus leaving us mildly entertained, but mostly bored. You can only watch so many train wrecks before they lose their luster.

One may wonder what direction pop culture will take in the future. Will there be an “I Love The ’90s?” Entire segments dedicated to pogs, Power Rangers, Ace of Base and 90210? Will flannel make a comeback? Will reality TV still be entertaining? I feel that it has already taken a turn for the worse. If they can put Tammy Faye Baker and Eric Estrada together, tape it, and call it entertainment, then in my opinion, there’s really nowhere to go but up. Just remember, what you like today will be loved in the next decade.

— Jamie Howard is a freshman journalism major.