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How low can reality TV go now that “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” is rocking Russell Armstrong’s suicide as entertainment and “Entertainment Tonight” is promoting “Housewidow” Taylor Armstrong’s domestic abuse photos?
Answer: The next step has to be murder on camera.
I mean, if off-camera suicide and a few beat-down after photos are good, imagine how great it would be to watch these tragedies actually unfolding in real life — and in real time. Talk about a reality ratings bonanza!
I might seem old-fashioned and prudish, but way back in the day — 2005 — I remember being shocked and appalled when “The Surreal Life” showed naked “Mini Me” Verne Troyer taking a “maxi me” pee on the floor inside the show house.
How do you top that?
The same year, a drunk named Jonny Fairplay was thrown off an even more moronic show called “Kill Reality” for, yes, defecating on another cast member’s bed while she was in it.
Six years later, we’re hardly surprised when “Jersey Shore’s” JWoww pees in a bar and on the sidewalk. Or when mini-mess Snooki brags about “pooping in a bush.”
By 2011, even the suicide of a husband threatens to become forgettable fodder in the endless quest of unearned fame.
To keep the story alive, so to speak, and to release “Housewidow” Taylor Armstrong and “RHOBH” from being tainted with any kind of blame in the suicide, she (or someone representing her) released photos of her beaten face after she says the now-dead husband knocked her around.
Not enough?
She’s even reportedly sold her “memoirs” about the whole thing. Of course, no publisher has come forth (that we could find) to take “credit” for laying out actual advance money for this low moment in the de-evolution of humans.
Meantime, instead of coming clean on “The Real Housewives” show, Taylor spent this whole first episode (it was later edited out for air) talking about how she needed to spice up her marriage by buying (and modeling) skimpy lingerie and talking publicly about how she and Russell could get back to “going at it like rabbits.”
No mention of Russell allegedly started going at her like a mad dog. There was also no mention of the restraining orders from two exes who’d accused him of domestic abuse nor the court papers that said he slapped his little son from a former wife.
Regardless, Russell’s riches made him a prize in her eyes.
There is no restriction to what these women — and all reality stars — will put up with and will do to stay in front of the camera and in the spotlight.
Look at the “Sister Wives,” the “Jersey Shore” crew, and Kate Gosselin, who has deprived her kids of any normalcy and privacy. Profiting from tragedy is part of the reality game. And it’s only going to get worse. Much worse.