Mostly because I think they encourage the contestants to be unethical. To form "alliances" and back-stab and manipulate and lie.
Yeah, I never watch group competition shows (Amazing Race or whatever) because they seem so stupid, and also glorify the lowest common denominator.
American Idol is the only reality show I've ever followed. And I do have a bit of a weakness for it! As a longtime musician, there's a fascination with the audition process. And I must say, IMO the world needs more Simons — someone to tell folks when they really suck, and hold them to a higher standard.
(Of course 'standard' is a relative term: what's in vogue now for R+B is that melismatic, AAEEEAAIIIOOIIAAAOHHH style in which you bend every note into 150 teeny tiny pitches . . . bleh.)
OTOH, I think
coverage of it on other media is completely out of hand. When I watch the news I want
news. 'Nuff said.