Express & Star

Reality shows got me and him glued to the sofa

Me and Mr Jones we've got a thing going on. That's my other half in case you wondering, (it's true!) and no, not that kind of thing, cheeky! We just can't get enough of real-life TV programmes. I don't mean any of that vapid Big Brother nonsense, the tackiness of The Only Way Is Essex or the cringe-worthy and hideous shows where you get the pleasure (!) of seeing the life of stars like Kerry Katona or Katie Price. No, I mean the stuff of proper grown-ups. Shows that delve deep behind the scenes into every day places, talk to the people involved and make you say: "Well, I didn't know that." Places that will affect most of as some point in our lives. And people whose stories really make you think or realise just how lucky you are. These programmes cut through the gloss and glamour and fake-ness life can bring and show the nitty-gritty of things. Take the one in a busy London accident and emergency department. This is one of our top watches, a fly-on-the-wall look at 24 hours in an A&E. It is inevitable that at some point during this show I will have a little sniffle. It's the older patients that do it for me. It brings home to you that at some point (this is really morbid) we are all going to die. But it's a fact, it's harsh, but watching makes me realise none of us are immortal. I put myself in the shoes of the friends and family and imagine how devastating some situations can be. You see the doctors and nurses as real people with hearts and souls that really care. A far cry from the scandalous stories we've heard more recently. The one behind the scenes at Heathrow Airport has been another favourite.

Published

A little bit geeky maybe but it made me stare at the TV screen, eyes wide like a child in front of a toy shop. I was awestruck at the all the goings-on. It was mind-boggling! Don't get me started on the passenger jet paint job. . . or the air traffic controllers, baggage handlers and fire fighters.

The one that looks at the lives of extraordinary people. There is the weird fascination with the tales on this show and some of them are truly bonkers... real jaw-dropping tales. Others really touch your heart and you feel for the those who are suffering some horrible affliction. I mean with titles like 'My Face is Eating Me Alive' and 'Shrinking My 17 Stone Legs' you can't deny it's intriguing stuff.

The one inside a prison was simply astonishing. Who doesn't want a glimpse at what life is like behind bars. On more than one occasion I had to change channel as I found it a little disturbing watching the inmates drift from one crisis to another. It's tough and grim and unsettling to watch but does push the reality right in your face.

But the big question is why do me and him love watching them so much? I'll tell you why because it's total escapism. You can switch off and enter a world you wouldn't normally dare venture to and see sights that are out of the ordinary and don't usually register on your radar.

And the best bit, you actually learn new things because you want to and not because your mum is shooing you out the door telling you to get to school.

It really makes you think about how things work and the jobs people do and the troubles they can endure. Bottom line, it helps put your own life into perspective.

I'm stamping my feet and putting out a plea to the TV channels: There should be more shows like this. Shows about things we take for granted and the jobs people do that are intriguing. They make for super interesting viewing and wipe the floor with the bubblegum TV and soaps. So come on, get more flies on the walls.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.