Television trends over the past few years have drifted from the wholesome family sitcom toward the real-life antics of the Osbournes and Anna Nicole Smith.

Since the debut of MTV's The Real World 12 years ago, reality television has steadily worked its way into American homes.

Over the summer FOX's American Idol swept the nation, and last year MTV's The Osbournes had the highest debut in the network's history.

This season ABC has a new show, Push, Nevada -- where, according to the show's Web site -- "every word, every sign, every gesture could hold a clue to solving the riddle of this tiny Nevada town." Viewers have the chance to win by solving this mystery.

What is it that makes these shows so popular?

"I think it's really pretty simple," instructor of integrative arts Patrick Trimble said. "What makes it so popular is that viewers vicariously experience them with the participants."

Trimble also said that many times people enjoy watching when large sums of money or momentary fame are involved because it feels as if the people watching win through the contestants.

Such is the case in FOX's smash hit of the summer, American Idol, and in game shows like CBS's Survivor or ABC's The Mole.

Trimble had a different theory for shows like NBC's Fear Factor, where participants come on television and occasionally eat live bugs.

"It makes them feel superior," he said. "Ultimately we're saying to ourselves, 'We would not be so dumb as to do that.' "

Rachel Elbling (senior-marketing) had her own take on the popularity.

"People like to see shows they can relate to in some aspect," she said. "I think people know it's not real and not to take it seriously."

Elbling, who is a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority, has seen episodes of MTV's latest endeavor, Sorority Life. She said the show was for the most part real, but that the show did not focus on positive aspects of sorority life.

"They just showed people arguing," she said.

Beth Nusbaum (sophomore-communication disorders), who is a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, said the show was not an accurate depiction of real life.

"I think that they try to create the drama," she said.

Amanda Jarvis (junior-Spanish) agrees.

"They just sort of change it to show the most amusing parts," she said. "When The Real World first came out, it was really different. There was no plan."

"Now it's sort of this system," she added. "They figure out they're all gonna hate each other, and we tune in to watch them fight. It didn't used to be like that."

Michael Dougherty (junior-film and video) also said this season of The Real World has gone too far.

"They're horrible people," he said. "They're people I utterly despise ... They used to discuss abortion and racism, and now it's all about who hooked up with who and how often will they do it."

He said that new reality shows are "getting ridiculous."

"Maybe it's because they're so unbelievably horrible that you can't help but watch," Dougherty said.

Nusbaum said even though some of the reality shows are ridiculous, if people enjoy them and continue to watch, there's no reason the networks should stop airing them.