In Defense of Reality TV

Heather Havrilesky, late of Suck and currently of Salon, says thanks for that most-maligned form of boob tubery, Reality TV:

Lowbrow or not, all most of us want from TV is the chance to glimpse something true, just a peek at those strange little tics and endearing flaws that make us human. While the networks' safe little formulas mostly seem devoid of such charms, reality shows have the power to amuse, anger, appall surprise, but most of all, engage us. Isn't that the definition of entertainment?

Whole thing here.