In the latest episode, they were required to wear a traditional Dutch costume. One type of challenge required contestants to swim across a cold body of water on a windy afternoon and play golf the way the locals do it. Most contestants endured this in their fight to stay in the game. Another challenge required the contestants to eat salted herring with onions after performing a Dutch folk dance. And even though the thought of eating the salted herring was revolting to one contestant, he still did so as he wanted to still be in the game. They have to overcome their fears and to ignore their discomforts in order to stay in the show. I guess this is partly why people like watching this show; it shows people who are willing to do almost everything in order to stay in the game. The personalities of the contestants also contribute to why people continue to watch this show. I suppose the audience will relate to one or two teams and root for them. Other people will perhaps get interested in a team because of the way the contestants look or the way they approach the game with their personality. There are contestants who are really passionate about winning and one can't help but admire them. Meanwhile, there are other contestants who have personalities that are interesting to the viewers. One team composed of an interracial married couple is interesting because of their personalities.

Meanwhile, Two and a Half Men is one of the most successful sitcoms on TV. It stars Charlie, a bachelor who lives with his divorced brother, Alan, and underachieving nephew, Jake. Also in the show is the rich mother of Charlie and Alan and Charlie's girlfriend, Chelsea.

Two and a Half Men is a funny...

There are also times when this program focuses on the relationship the brothers have with their mother. The show also focuses on Charlie's bachelorhood and his romantic relationships. This show laden with messages of what the image of the ideal body is -- of what is good-looking and attractive to men. The most recent episode focused on plastic surgery and breast reduction. It illustrated how men like women who have big breasts and how women dislike being seen as unattractive. To me, this recent episode reflects the focus our society has on sex and being sexually attractive. It reflects how American men perceive what an attractive woman is and at the same time, it also reflects how American women respond to the men's idea of what is attractive. Women still would want to be seen as attractive and in the process; the men's idea of a beautiful woman still has power over what women think. I think what makes this show popular is its humor and perhaps people watch it because of the adult jokes that most of the time have to do with physical intimacy and relationships.
References

"Getting Along in the U.S.: Some Customs and Culture Tips." The University of Arizona. Web. 8 November 2009. < http://www.cesl.arizona.edu/custom.html>

Godard, Ellis. "Reel Life: The Social Geometry of Reality Shows." Survivor Lessons: Essays on Communication and Reality Television. Ed. Matthew Smith and Andrew Wood. North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 2003. 73-95. Print.

Stephens, Mitchell. History of Television. Web. 7 November 2009.