struck a nerve huh? I'm guessing you spend quite a bit of time watching that type of garbage, otherwise it wouldn't have garnered this type of knee jerk emotional reaction.
Again, there is no virtually no parallel between traditional reality tv and sports. So using that analogy is idiotic. Sports as far as what it represents in society has both a very primitive and reptilian brain appeal, as well as a deeper sense of identity and projection. The idea of competition to that extent is hard wired in almost every male's brain. Now, do some reality tv's promote competition? There are quite a few that do. But how many of those actually require training their entire lives for under a standarized set of rules and with precedent? American Idol might be one example, but shows like that are much more contrived than a true representation of one's skill level. Most reality "TV" isn't even reality TV. It's contrived under the guise of non fiction.
As far as people having different preferences in entertainment, preferences don't mean something isn't artistically or creatively stupid or pointless. Which is what reality TV is for the most part. Are there a few exceptions? Sure, but the fact it has been the predominant form of television the past 11 years or so has meant that a non stop flow of crap programming has resulted.
Personally, i rather focus on bettering my own life and creating great experiences than watching stupid or unskilled people do extremely unextradionary things.