With this article, we are introducing something that has been needed since the reality TV genre began: The Reality TV Hall of Shame. The Hall of Shame began as a feature on RealityNewsOnline, but it was decided that the Hall should have its own site in order to truly represent all that is shameful in reality TV.

The title alone should tell you what it’s about, but allow me to explain further. We have all seen reality TV participants (and, indeed, some entire shows) that are worthy of nothing but scorn. Some people have taken actions that show themselves either extremely foolish or total jerks (or both). To fully acknowledge these people, and to make sure their antics are never forgotten, they will be inducted into the Hall of Shame.

This Hall, like any respectable honorary group, will be difficult to get into. Sure, we could put in all of Pagong from the first Survivor series for being completely clueless on how to oppose the Tagi alliance of Rich Hatch, but simple cluelessness will not get somebody into the Hall. They must do something extraordinarily stupid, shameful, or painful to watch in order to get this honor.

With that said, we are including special “Hall of Shame Moments”, which look at those times when a person is not worthy of being fully inducted, but does something that at least deserves mention here. (Such is the case for the aforementioned clueless Pagong.)

Entries to the Hall of Shame will be announced as necessary, with individual articles to describe all of the reasons for the particular inductee. We will both be looking back to the history of reality TV (as in our already-posted induction of “Puck” from Real World San Francisco) and will also remain current with actions that are occurring on reality TV right now. We will, of course, be open to reader suggestions. You can e-mail them – along with your reasoning – to rno@pobox.com. All nominations will be reviewed to see if the person, show, or moment was truly heinous enough to be inducted into the Hall. Also, remember that while we are focused mostly on actions that occur on the shows, we will also address reality TV participants who have done something unworthy in other situations.

Be sure to sign up for the RealityNewsOnline/Reality TV Hall of Shame e-mail update so you can stay informed about new articles on these sites! And take a look at the rest of the site. You can find all of the shows in the Hall of Shame listed here, all of the people who have been inducted can be found here, and click here for the Hall of Shame Moments.

For more news about reality TV, be sure to check out RealityNewsOnline, RealityTVFans.com and SirLinksALot!