Reality television grew to massive popularity in the early 2000s, as the medium exploded into what it is today. It seems as if every channel now has multiple reality programs, broadcasting for hours each day. Readers discover the roots of this genre and the controversies surrounding it. Presented alongside the main text are detailed charts and in-depth sidebars to educate readers about one of the most popular genres in television. The question of whether reality television can ever be more than just a guilty pleasure is also addressed, and readers are prompted through discussion questions to form intelligent opinions about it.