Do reality shows make you cringe? Via Shutterstock.

I was sitting on the couch with my friends, trying to figure out what we were going to do for the night, when the television caught our attention. People were screaming, a girl was crying, a couple was kissing. Obviously, this was The Real World.

PROS:

• You are now famous. You will gain millions of followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and whatever other social media sites you chose to be a part of. Suddenly, people will care about what you say. Practically overnight you will be able to reach millions of people. Who doesn’t want to have influence?
• You will get paid to promote brands to your millions of social media followers. Who wants to work when you can just upload a picture of you with a product you are paid to promote? Easy money.
• What have you always wanted to do? Write a book, launch a clothing line, create your own beauty line? Well now you can. Now that you’re famous and have a huge following, getting gigs is much easier. Just take a look at the numerous books and businesses of Bravo’s Real Housewives.
• Reality stars are paid for appearances. So you will make money by showing up at places you already wanted to go. Basically, they get paid to go to bars with their friends, drink for free, and sign autographs to adoring fans. Seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.
• Free travel. Shows such as the Real World send their “actors” on luxurious tropical getaways every season. Who doesn’t love vacations? Especially if they’re free.
• The casts of realities shows are often very attractive. That means you get to meet very attractive people. Also, ego-boost if you are cast since that simultaneously indicates that you are attractive!

CONS:

• Have you ever gotten broken up with right when you started to really fall for someone and it felt like it came out of absolutely nowhere? Well, how would you like your reaction to be recorded, played for the world, and then turned into numerous jokes/gifs that go viral on the internet? Welcome to the lives of Bachelorette and Bachelor rejects.
• You can’t get a job. I know what you’re thinking, you don’t need one. I just wrote that you will have opportunities to make easy money at your fingertips. All this is true, but what happens if you would like to pursue a serious career? Would you want your doctor to be The Situation from Jersey Shore? I don’t think so. Getting people to see you as smart and educated may be difficult when they have seen you at your most ridiculous.
• You could get fired from your old job with no new offers in sight. Two of this season’s Big Brother stars were fired from their jobs for making racist and homophobic comments on the show. Not only did they lose their regular jobs but all of those previously mentioned perks don’t apply to them either. Companies prefer to distance themselves from such controversies.
• I mentioned being famous as a “pro” and it is true that being a reality star makes you famous. Unfortunately for reality stars, many are more infamous than famous. There are few reality stars that are known for being smart or classy. Instead, most, like the cast of Jersey Shore, are known for their drunken and embarrassing behavior.
• People will love you the way they love celebrities but they will also judge you the way they judge celebrities. You thought you were pretty before and never thought anyone would call your size six frame fat or your nose too big? Well watch out, because the world will scrutinize your every insecurity.
• You will be around many attractive people. I know I said this was a positive but since you will be drinking, and most likely drinking a lot, you may not want your actions showcased to the world and more importantly…your family and friends watching. Can you say hot tub scenes on the Bachelor? No, just no.
• Reality stars may be known for being attractive but they are also notoriously dramatic and absurd. Classy is not entertaining, especially for reality television that’s main goal is to be dramatic and shocking. Even if you are normally composed, you cannot control what producers edit. That one time you break down and look like a fool will definitely not be edited out. All the times you were calm probably will be.
• Google exists. One day your kids may decide to google you and if you were once on a reality show they may be scarred for life.

After creating these lists, I’ve decided that being on a Reality Show would be both wonderful and horrible. The shows always seem crazy but in an exciting and fun way. It would be hard at 23 to turn down a spot on a hit reality show even though I disagree with most of the showcased behavior. I also think that later down the line I would be embarrassed by the way I was portrayed on television. Ultimately, I would never chose to be on a reality show.

Would you be on a reality show?