BAD TV -

We have come a long way from the days of the Roman Coliseum, where men watched gladiators fight to the death, and captives thrown to the lions. We have landed on the moon, looked into the far reaches of the galaxy, and acknowledged a respect for all forms of life. RIGHT?? Or have we?

What does it say of our society that we accept as "entertainment" observing the degradation and suffering of others, AND what does it say that these programs can find advertisers to sponsor them.

Whether it be the ridiculous Jerry Springer/Maury Pauvich type program that invites people with an IQ in the single digits to tear out each other’s hair and tear off each other’s clothing and expose the seedy side of their lives OR repulsive programs like Fear Factor and Extreme Factor where contestants are exposed to things that Attila the Hun would shutter at.

But there is more. Our definition of "entertainment" also includes watching obese people struggling to lose weight; insecure women seeking their dream Bachelor; and an assortment of dysfunctionals, alcoholics, and former drug addicts sharing a house... all on prime time and in High Definition.

In a few short years we have gone from laughing with Seinfeld at his FICTIONAL neighbour Kramer - to laughing at the suffering and despair and degradation of our REAL-LIFE neighbours.

I ask you -- "who is disturbed?" The individual committed to the asylum, OR the individual who visits the asylum regularly because he finds it "entertaining".

I really hope this is a very temporary fad and we can go back to laughing at comedians and not the foibles and suffering of others.