The passage discusses reality television as a genre of programming. It notes that reality TV shows like The Bachelor and Jersey Shore are entertaining but also push boundaries of acceptable situations. Reality TV involves game shows, dating shows, and talent shows, and accounts for 70-80% of US viewership. While some reality-style shows existed in the 1940s, the genre really took off in popularity in the 1990s, allowing viewers to observe unscripted real-life situations and environments.