Addicted to a show

I have always wondered what makes some television shows become a priority. Generally I am interested in and often visit television programming that deals with nature, comdey, or a good mystery (law & Order/CSI). Channels like comdey central and the discovery channel are listed on my DVR (digital video recorder) under my favorites. Why then do i find myself passing up these shows on Wedsday night and tuning into MTV's the real world Sydney.

This is the only time I tune into MTV and immediately after the show is over i tune into more familiar programing. In 1994 i was 14 years old and that was the first time i can remember seeing MTV's The real world San Francisco. I watched it for two years and then stopped. In 2003 I briefly dated a woman who watched the show. Ever since that relationship I have religiously watched the Real world to date.

I can honestly say I enjoy the show and plan to continue watching it until it is taken off the air I just can't figure out what the draw is. I am a very inquisitive person to put it gently which has been interpted to mean that I have a big mouth. Mabye on a subconcisous level I am fullfilling a supressed need to gossip, and living vicariously through the show. Anyone else have a show that they watch that is totally out of character? One of those shows that until someone actually sees you watch it they would never associate you with that type of programming?