It was described very early on by one reviewer as being just like real life, with all the boring bits packed in.
Actually, I always thought the term "reality television" was a little misleading. The whole situation was artificial, and some contestants admitted to playing characters - basically hamming it up for the cameras.
I considered the whole thing dangerous and irresponsible. People could, and did, become famous overnight, but received little or no training in how to handle it. Some of these celebs inevitably fell back to being ordinary Joes again, and found it very difficult to adapt.
Then again, I never watched a single program over the years, so what do I know?
The Gods are just, and of our pleasant vices
Make instruments to plague us