Why are we settling for “reality TV” garbage? There is no reality — only perceptions. Taken in the context of reality television, this axiom might explain a lot. From “Survivor” to “Fear Factor”, “Big Brother”, “Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire” and all the other more recent programs related to finding a soul mate, network television had viewers obsessing over who Evan Marriot would pick, Trista’s “big dilemma” between Charlie and Ryan and the “Survivor” battle of the sexes.

Every time another reality television show is introduced, commentators claim the networks have stooped to even lower class programming — again. Yet someone continues to watch. Ratings continue to soar. Reality television continues to be cheap and easy to produce. Makes for a good combination.

A reality show typically sets its participants (actors) into a narrative mostly plotted out long before the tape ever rolls, according to an article titled “The Fakery of Reality Shows” in Eclipse Magazine on Jan. 22. Weeks or months after events transpired, they are revealed, episode by episode, to eager viewers — and to the dutiful media, which endorse the show by reporting each deferred plot twist as if it were breaking news. “Reality television can boast of being unrehearsed, but its participants [actors] who, like everyone else, watch television and picture themselves on it, have been rehearsing all their lives. They are ready for their close-up and their wireless mike. There is a protocol for being a television personality and people who land roles on reality shows know what that is. Most of them are aiming for celebrity status and want nothing more than to shed their ‘real person’ past,” reports Eclipse.

Take “Joe Millionaire”, for example. The charm of this one was based on the fact that it was so up front with viewers about its dishonesty. Evan Marriot, a low-paid construction worker, cooperated with the producers by not disclosing to any of the women his real occupation or the $50 million inheritance scam. That was to be saved for the final episode, for the “winner.”

The real truth about him, whatever it may be, must conform to the needs of the show, which has stereotyped him as an “average Joe” who made a humble living by simply moving dirt and is now seeking a woman who will love him for who he really is.

Then there’s the Cinderella myth perpetuated by Trista Rehn and her quest for Prince Charming on “The Bachelorette.” Women are particularly vulnerable to this one. We watch her at the jewelry store trying on rings. She tells the employee, “I’ve been dreaming of this moment for my entire life.” Yes, most of us women have spent some time dreaming of “the moment.” Trista, playing herself and starring in her own fantasy, made us believe choosing one man out of 12 to “fall in love with” during a time frame of six weeks is totally realistic.

During the season finale, we had to agonize with her over such a “difficult decision” in choosing between the two finalists. She mustered up beautifully fake tears as she bade Charlie farewell and uttered a breathless yes to Ryan’s proposal because she found him gentle, warm and intelligent. Oh, and the fact that Ryan had asked Trista’s father for her hand in marriage before his potential proposal definitely earned him major brownie points. Yeah, that is reason enough to marry some guy you hardly know.

National Public Radio’s Scott Simon interviewed Weekend Edition’s Entertainment critic Elvis Mitchell in January about this season’s crop of reality shows. Mitchell believes reality television programming brings out the worst in human nature. Whether contestants are choking down bull testicles (“Fear Factor”) or vying for Mr. or Miss Right, it is all about the paycheck and their 15 minutes of fame. Making a public spectacle (or fool) of oneself is just part of the game. That is what can potentially land you a cover photo on People Magazine. “We want to see people doing the things we would never dream of doing ourselves,” Mitchell said. “The only trace of honesty between viewers and contestants is that of humiliation and embarrassment.”

Contrary to popular belief, MTV cannot boast that “Real World” kicked off the reality mania. “Candid Camera”, which has been on television on and off since 1948, is the culprit of the reality television genre, according to www.info-please.com.

But Fox Network can take the prize for dominating the reality television market beginning with “America’s Most Wanted” in 1988 and “Cops” that debuted in 1989.

While “Candid Camera” caught people in the act of being themselves, “America’s Funniest Home Videos” caught parents shamelessly exploiting their tumbling toddlers and costumed cocker spaniels for the chance of winning $10,000.

Personally, I haven’t spent all my evenings for the last three years following each episode of every reality show. I do have a life, good eyes and a pile of New York Times bestsellers I’m slowly making my way through. The only reality television programs that have managed to hold my attention for an hour were the original “Big Brother,” an occasional “Fear Factor” and the season finale of “The Bachelorette.” None of the others have ever appealed to me. I do, however, find the effect of reality programming on viewers fascinating.

Leslie Heuer is a graduate student in English from Des Moines.