Today’s guest is Jory Strong. Jory writes spicy romances for Ellora’s Cave in a variety of genres. She has several series including Crime Tells, Fallon Mates, The Angelini and Supernatural Bonds. Her next release is Two Spirits and this is Jory’s first gay romance. Two Spirits is due for release from Ellora’s Cave on 19 December 2007.
Jory is giving away the winner’s choice of a download from her backlist. As usual, all you need to do to go into the draw is make a comment on the post. (Check the comments section the following day for the winner announcement.)
I’m almost embarrassed to admit to it. It’s a guilty pleasure, especially considering I once went five years without even owning a TV. And though I’m proud to say I’ve never watched a single episode of Survivor—I have become a reality TV convert.
Thankfully I can rationalize it by calling it research and pointing out that most of the time I watch it while I’m on my treadmill, but I ‘m hooked, and like any addiction, it started harmlessly enough. American Idol was the first. But thanks to TIVO (so I never have to endure a commercial) reality TV viewing has expanded to So You Think You Can Dance, The Next Great American Band, Jail, The Academy (LA sheriff’s department police academy), The Contender (boxing), Kid Nation—and my latest “find”, Intervention (about drug addicts and alcoholics).
So I’m curious. Who else shares this guilty pleasure? And what’s got you hooked?
I have only seen one reality show. Thanks, but no thanks.
by Estella December 10th, 2007 at 5:41 amI don’t watch tv very often. I’d rather read.
Hmm… guilty pleasures… I’d say buying books. Or is that more like a sick compulsion?
Also eating M&Ms is one of my guilty pleasures. Vanilla ice cream and coke (blackouts) are now part of my nightly thing when I’m reading. 
by Tempest Knight December 10th, 2007 at 7:02 amI fell in love with Survivor the first season and stayed hooked. Some seasons I’m really pissed by stupid people but all in all, it’s great entertainment. I am a person who NEVER votes but when Rupert was up for the million dollars by viewers, I got my fingers nimble and voted, voted, voted. I’m also a fan of The Amazing Race (you see a lot of places that way) and Project Runway. I admire the designers creativity.
by Laura K December 10th, 2007 at 7:26 amAmazing Race. There’s something about Phil’s eyebrow that pulls me in.
I think I like it the most because to me it seems the closest to “reality”. There’s no time to mess with the results because it happens so fast. And watching the social interaction break down or strengthen between teams racing around the world is fascinating to watch.
And then there’s Phil. And his eyebrow of hotness.
I’m a fan of “so you think you can dance” too. I could watch Danny from last season dance for hours.
by RD Solange December 10th, 2007 at 8:05 amI love watching Kid Nation. It is so good and I can’t believe this week’s episode is the finale.
by Amy S. December 10th, 2007 at 8:46 amI am hooked on reality shows, too. I love survivor, amazing race, kid nation, american idol, big brother, etc. I’m always amazed at what people will do to win money! LOL! Happy Holidays to you!
Blessings,
by Rhonda Barnes December 10th, 2007 at 9:29 amRhonda
I don’t watch much reality TV but I can’t help but watch Trading Spouses when I run across it. It’s so horrible it’s wonderful :)
by Jenyfer Matthews December 10th, 2007 at 9:41 amPS - my other guilty pleasure is fried chicken. Why guilty? My DH is a vegetarian and can’t stand to watch me eat it!!!
by Jenyfer Matthews December 10th, 2007 at 9:42 amI don’t really watch much TV. What little time my one year old and 4 year old allow me is usually spent reading. When I do find some extra time and I am in the mood to watch TV it is usually the Food Network. I just love watching the cooking shows.
by Cherie J December 10th, 2007 at 9:52 amI work most nights, so I don’t get to watch many shows. Reality shows aren’t my first choice when I do get to watch. They make me crazy … or maybe I’ve just been watching the wrong ones.
However, I have been FORCED to watch American Idol for the last few years by my co-worker. We have a TV in the newsroom and it MAY, somehow, magically (or not) get turned to NBC once everybody’s in Hollywood. Of course, once it’s on, I can’t be RUDE and ignore the performances, can I? I also have an uncontrollable need to express my opinion on the singers’ abilites, as well. It’s all totally against my will … really.
by Jennifer K. December 10th, 2007 at 10:58 amI’m not a reality tv fan…okay, wait. There is ONE show I like (but still don’t watch much) It’s America’s Next Top Model. Other than that, I don’t watch much tv. Well, I do watch the news a lot. Which could be argued to be reality tv
by Shelli Stevens December 10th, 2007 at 11:15 amReading is also one of my “guilty” pleasures–mainly because I feel like I should be at the computer writing. At least the beauty of watching TV is I can rationalize doing it if I’m also on my treadmill.
I’ll have to give Amazing Race a try. More than one person has told me it’s great.
by Jory Strong December 10th, 2007 at 11:55 amNo, I don’t watch any reality TV shows. You’ll catch me either reading or crocheting when the TV is on. I hardly ever really watch anything.
by Tammy G. December 10th, 2007 at 11:55 amI used to be a reality show holdout but usually end up watching the NZ version of Dancing in the Stars and I love American Idol. That’s worth watching just because of the interaction between the judges. I justify all this as research and people watching. A writer can never do enough people watching!
Jory - reading is also a guilty pleasure for me. I always feel as if I should be working.
Jenyfer - LOL about your hubby and chicken. I’m the vegetarian in the family and hubby is quite happy to eat a steak in front of me. He doesn’t regard it as a guilty pleasure at all!!
Re the Amazing Race - you realize it’s so good because Phill is a New Zealander?
by Shelley Munro December 10th, 2007 at 12:07 pmCherie - my hubby would be watching the food shows right along with you! He’s always muttering about reality shows but loves anything to do with food.
by Shelley Munro December 10th, 2007 at 12:08 pmI really enjoyed So You Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race and Project Runway.
by Cathy M December 10th, 2007 at 12:52 pmI don’t watch much TV but one of the main reasons for that is that reality TV shows are about the only thing on and I absolutely hate them! I know I’m in the minority on that and I don’t have a problem with other watching them and enjoying them, I am just much happier popping in a DVD or sticking with snuggling up with a good book! ;)
by Rhonda aka SandDanz December 10th, 2007 at 3:57 pmI’m not in to reality shows at all, but I have been tempted by the Amazing Race. The few times I’ve watched it, I’ve gotten sucked in completely.
by Christine d'Abo December 10th, 2007 at 4:13 pmI don’t watch that much reality shows. The only one that catches my eye is Dancing with the Stars. Sometimes the gym may have some reality show on like Survivor, which this is the only time I would watch the show.
by Amelia December 10th, 2007 at 9:19 pmToday’s winner of a download from Jory’s backlist is Jennifer K.
Jennifer email me at shelley munro@ gmail.com (no spaces) and let me know which book you’d like and the format. I’ll get the info to Jory so she can email you your prize.
Congratulations!
by Shelley Munro December 11th, 2007 at 12:01 pm