First it was Jerry Springer and The Real World. Then Survivor, Big Brother, and American Idol. Now it's The Real Housewives of...pick a city, and on and on. Reality shows are the new thing, and the more scandalous the better. Don't lie, when you're channel surfing and run across a bar room brawl between beautiful inebriated women in dresses and high heels....you stop.
At least through the fight.
And to the tough guy sports jock, don't be so quick to pass judgment. Because you too...are addicted to a weekly reality show. And it's called the NFL.
If you look back to the start of the season, and flow through your memory's museum, you would piece together a script worthy of an Oscar nomination.
The regular season was less than a week old when the now infamous Ray Rice video leaked. And like any great reality show, the fallout was more scandalous than the event. A possible cover up that reached as high as the Commissioner's office? If it were a scripted show it would have made for a great season opener.
Once that story lost steam, inexplicably, Adrian Peterson found himself in a firestorm for his parenting indiscretions. And like the prior event, the fallout was even more scandalous. NFL Vice President of Player Personnel Troy Vincent was recorded by Peterson, telling him that he'd only receive a two game suspension.
Set that man right on up.
Once that leaked people were, of course, outraged at the light suspension. Peterson ultimately missed the remainder of the season.
You are now forming a characterization of a powerful and corrupt central figure...the Commissioner's office. But hey, every good reality show has a controversial main character.
Through the twists and turns of the main character and their dealings, the show sprinkles in competitive weekly matchups. But it goes one step further. This show allows their viewers to participate each week through the invention of fantasy football.
Try telling someone to turn off the game when they are down 10 points and their qb is about to play.
I digress.
All of the good reality shows build to a crescendo as the season finale approaches, and the NFL did that plus some. The playoffs were filled with nail biting games with questionable endings. The playoffs were so good that you couldn't stop watching...even if your team fell victim to one of those "calls".
Super Bowl Week was filled with controversy as well. Between deflategate and Marshawn Lynch, no one got any of the answers they wanted, no matter how hard they were pressed.
Nice teaser.
But the NFL saved their best for the season finale. That Super Bowl had enough momentum swings to make you sea sick. And just when you thought you knew the outcome, an unknown character makes the play of his life to seal the victory in the closing seconds.
What a script.
Even if unintentional, the NFL's drama brought in new viewers. It's no coincidence...the most scandal filled season in the history of the league led to the most watched Super Bowl in television history.
Yes, I think we all like reality shows in some form or fashion.
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