When Artists Meet Reality TV

Photo by NRK P3 from Flickr

Pop-singer Nicki Minaj has recently announced that she will be participating in her very own reality TV show.  The show is set to air on Sunday, November 4th.  Minaj states that she hopes this show will reveal her true self to help the "public understand her better".  With her crazy personality and attention grabbing fashion the show is expected to be television gold, according to E!.

In my opinion, reality TV series are a last shot at fame.  A lot of famous stars will attempt to have a reality TV series about their lives, but they never usually work out.  The odd thing is that Minaj's career isn't dead, so it's interesting that she's starting her own reality series.  But I guess it's the popular things for most celebrities to attempt.

Britney Spears had her own very short lived reality series with her ex, Kevin Federline.  Of course not too many people had even heard of the show and it basically marked the end of her career at the time.  Then there was the show Newlyweds with Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.  This series ran for (surprisingly) three seasons.  Shortly after the show ended the couple filed for divorce.  This reality series really did nothing for either of their careers, or their marriage it seemed.

These celebrity reality shows rarely make it very far or help their careers, so why even make them?  I'm sure we're all guilty of watching a few bad reality series in our lives, but most people only watch them out of boredom.

I also believe that the word "reality" is used very loosely when referring to these shows.  Most of them seem scripted or staged to make celebrities look better.  Or to even create drama and controversy.  There have been some people who have rose to fame due to a reality show, but I have yet to see a celebrity's career become better due to these shows.

What is your take on celebrity reality shows?  Do you enjoy them?  Do you think these artists are really benefiting from participating in them?