There has been a downward spiral of many things lately, such as the newspaper industry and the nation's economy, but I'm also sad to see a more frivolous phenomenon slowly make its descent down the drain: reality television.

I used to LOVE reality TV and would admittedly watch MTV for hours upon hours each day. Even that was during the latter part of my reality-loving days, as this obsession started much sooner.

Remembering back to the old days of Nickelodeon where Stick Stickley was an iconic figure and slime was the color to be wearing, that is where my attraction to reality TV started -- in the form of game shows.

I mean, really, who didn't want to be a "Wild and Crazy Kid" or race against the clock as you ran through Olmec temple, dodging the temple guards and getting stuck at the Shrine of the Silver Monkey while sporting a Blue Barracudas shirt.

You could sit on a podium next to Summer Sanders while a "celebrity panel" of Nickelodeon stars tried to figure out your talent, or you climb the Aggro Crag just to win a glow-in-the-dark piece of plastic.

These are moments from our childhood that helped us develop our interests and ideals -- in my case, that being interest in reality television and game shows.

I started dipping my toes into the "pools of reality" by watching shows such as Survivor and The Amazing Race. After tacking on random viewings of shows such as The Bachelor, Big Brother and Fear Factor, I finally made my way to my most recent reality addiction: MTV.

I remember seeing my first episode of The Real World: Chicago and watching Coral flip out on another roommate. For one reason or another, this appealed to my 14-year-old self, and I was hooked ever since. The Battle of the Seasons and Battle of the Sexes, along with Road Rules: South Pacific, I Want a Famous Face and Pimp My Ride -- I was hooked for years. I could even tell you about some of the more obscure reality shows like The Assistant, 8th & Ocean or Surf Girls.

And I will admit I loved these kinds of shows, but note that "love" is in past tense. I've been severely disappointed with the path MTV is taking with their newest reality shows. I've suffered through shows about dissing each other's mothers (Yo Momma), people demolishing body parts while telling their "scarring" tales (Scarred) and seeing spoiled teenagers get the birthday parties of their lives(My Super Sweet 16), all the while hoping for a new decent reality show, but they didn't come.

Maybe I've just grown out of the genre, but after years of relentlessly watching MTV, I'm done.

I mean, when you try turning on MTV, do you really want to watch a reality show about how a 16-year-old girl is pregnant? That's not even a True Life episode; it's an entire series! Save it for Maury.

Then there's Paris Hilton and her multiple searches for a new BFF. You have to ask yourself, Who does this appeal to?

My love for reality television has dwindled for this very reason, and as a result, I only watch the Real World and America's Best Dance Crew now. The rest of the shows provide little to no entertainment value.

Now I am even skeptical to watch the upcoming VMAs because MTV put a mediocre rapper such as Asher Roth in the "Best New Artist" category.

So basically, MTV, I actually should probably thank you. Thanks for creating such a variety of crappy shows, because you broke my addiction. I have better things to do with my life than watch your channel, finally.

Chris Bickel is a senior majoring in public relations and is The Daily Collegian's Friday columnist. His e-mail address is cdb5067@psu.edu.