Reality TV, we need to have a talk...

Dear Reality TV,

Hello!  I'm sorry to write this letter, but I feel it's time we talked.  I know the quality of your programming isn't the best, and you're just doing the best with what you're given.  I mean, lets be honest, if you can make the Kardashian family famous, then you're on to something.  I don't watch tons of 'Reality TV', but lately when I do, the constant recapping makes me want to pick up a book.  If your 'Reality TV' program doesn't have enough content for 22/40 minutes, then get off the air.  Sorry to be so direct, but I'm getting really fed up watching a 'Reality TV' show and before every commercial break they have to go into a 2 minute "whats coming up next" segment.  I'm already watching the show!! If you have to spoil the next segment to keep me through a 2 minute commercial break to come back and watch your show, then I feel you're saying to me "My show is completely forgettable and the only way people will stay and watch this garbage is if we tease them something good!"  The same goes for "before the break" recaps, as you come back from commercial.  Who exactly does that help?  The three people who tuned in during the commercial?   If they tuned in during the commercial, then they probably were already looking for your show and don't need to be sold on how awesome the past 5 minutes were.  I don't know too many people who channel surf to find the best commercials....

Scripted shows that are having long story arcs and complicated plots lines will typically have a couple minute recap at the beginning of the show, that's understandable.  Remind me what happened last week on the Mentalist(it jumped the shark), but I don't need a recap of what I just saw 5 minutes ago.  Contrary to your marketing studies, I am not a goldfish.  Wait, I just saw something sparkly...

To better illustrate my point, what show has won 9 of the 11 Reality TV - Competition Emmys?   Amazing Race.  Do you know why?  Because outside of a 1 minute intro, the entire show is about what is happening in the race, RIGHT NOW!  No before the break or whats coming up next promos because they can barely fit their content in the hour they have.  My newest guilty pleasure The Voice could REALLY use a memo on this.  I was watching the Battle Rounds of the show on my DVR and instead of showing us 3 of the battles, they felt they needed to give us a recap before and after every commercial break, remind us the life story of every singer, and watch 5-10 minutes of them getting 'coached'.  As a result, 3 of the battles weren't even shown!   Are you kidding me?!?!  A show about singing cuts...THE SINGING!   ::head in hands::    While I am admittedly watching the show now, I'm doubtful to return in the future due to the constant recapping.  (And the best part are the blind auditions anyways)

Please make the recap insanity stop, have some faith in your content (as much as you can with 'Reality TV'), and air a full program.  Please end the era of  "What just happened TV" followed by "What will happen TV".

Best Regards,

Colin R.