Worth the Price? The trickle down effects of reality T.V.

Charges against the Heene family from Colorado could come as soon as Tuesday. The family is accused of pretending their six-year-old son was caught up in a weather balloon that floated away last week.

"It has been determined that this is a hoax. It is a publicity stunt," says Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden.

Apparently the family was hoping the event would help them land a reality television show. If it was attention they were seeking, mission accomplished. But, at what price? University of Minnesota Professor of Media Ethics Jane Kirtley says the reality television craze is having an impact on our society.

"I think it's drastically changed our culture. Not because there weren't always exhibitionists but because they didn't always have the advantage of television wanting to cover every detail of their lives," says Professor Kirtley.

Christopher Straub of Shakopee has had a very different experience with reality T.V. He is currently on this season's Project Runway.

"For me I would not have been able to make the calls and get in where I needed to get in unless I had the exposure from the show. So, for me, it's been a completely positive and life-changing experience," says Straub.

He believes there is a difference between shows based on talent and those that are solely based on personality.

"Just to be on T.V., or just to be talked about, and just to be in magazines, that's all fair and good, but you've got to be able to make something after that show then," says Straub.

Which, by the way, he is doing. The show, on Lifetime, is still on-going but Straub already has a website, christopherstruab.com. He's well on his way to becoming a hot new designer.

Reality doesn't always have a happy ending and there seems to be no end for those types of shows either.

"I think as long as we have that combination of cheap and attractive to the public, it's not going to go away," says Professor Kirtley.

Which means people desperate for the spotlight will continue to compete for our attention.

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