Space Cadets, which hits British television screens next month, is the latest ambitious experiment in 'reality TV'. The show's organizers have rigged a Hollywood space-shuttle set with all the sights, sounds and shakes of a genuine space flight. But, unbeknownst to the participants, the craft will never leave the ground.

Somebody's going to lose it when they find out the truth. Many people are speculating that the show will also involve some sort of shuttle-disaster hoax or a disaster-on-Earth hoax for added cruelty.

Reality TV appeals to the basest, worst attributes of humanity. Who wins has always been beside the point; the 'fun' is in terrorizing and mocking the losers. The only innovation here is that they've found away to eliminate the time-wasting "winner" from the equation, while also causing maximal embarrassment for the losers. Result: Ratings and profit. Reality TV sucks.