Reality TV shows have gone the way of CGI rendered movies; the first handful were new and entertaining (Survivor) but the rest of them, ripoffs of ripoffs of ripoffs, are mostly garbage. Okay, I think The Real World was technically first, but that show blew chunks from the beginning anyway, so it doesn't count.

I can't stand the oxymoron of reality television, mostly since every participant is asked to complete ridiculously unrealistic tasks in even shorter amounts of time, usually as a sort of "test of will," or the contestant's adapting ability. Wait, did I just say contestant? Reality TV has become the new game show, except instead of Jeopardy where scholarly knowledge and accuracy win the big bucks, its a question of idiocy, sillyness, or just plain luck.

As far as your comments on dignity and shame, I must say I do respect those talented individuals who turn making an ass out of themselves (actors, comedians, radio personalities, har har) into a day job, and some people do that quite well. But most of those people know when to keep their mouths shut and retain their dignity; there's a definite time and a place for random asshattery. Like in front of a circus tent full of fans, not while attending a respected figure's funeral. (Unless that type of humor is your job, but that's another bag of worms...)