Seattle Family Assaulted By Reality TV

We came across this news item and felt that the Reality TV watchers out there would appreciate a link. Minnesota newspapers are reporting on a Seattle family that got shanghaied by The Discovery Channel on the promise of a free vacation.

What did they do, pull an B.A. Baracus on them? "I ain't gettin on no plane! I pity the fool who participates in the pariah that is Reality Television!" clunk

The Matthews family awoke to dog sleds, winter camping and a camera crew instead of the buoyant Lazy Boys and drinks on the beach at Puerto Vallarta they had been expecting. They were pissed and attempted to cash out immediately.

Paul Schurke, who hosted the trip at Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge in Ely, Minn., said the Matthews weren't thrilled about their vacation. He said they were shocked, but more in an "upset" way.

In the end, though, Craig Matthews said his family has no regrets after spending four days dogsledding, winter camping, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing - all of it while being filmed.

Isn't that how life on Reality TV always turns out? One minute you're shocked in an "upset" way, and the next you're signing waivers.

The show is called "The Vacation You Need" in which television producers determine what variety of vacation would most benefit your family and then send you there and record your breakdown. Afterwards the shots of you working late with the secretary are used to compel you not to sue and you're humiliated on television. Thus the circle of 24 hour programming is complete.