By Bernadette Giacomozzo

Anyone who has read more than 5 minutes of the Pop Culture Madness blog knows that I love posting about Rock of Love, especially this new edition of the show (and based on their ratings, I'm not the only one). However, even someone like me -- who gets easily amused at the sight of women in this post-feminist era blatantly throwing themselves at a guy who clearly wears a bad wig while wearing the standard "slutty 80's groupie" uniform -- has to question whether or not there is any future left in this "reality era."

The economy seems to suggest that this era won't be ending anytime soon. As pointed out by MomLogic.com, hundreds of thousands of young adults will be graduating from college in just a few months. With the job market going down the tubes, where are they going to work? Some will go to graduate school, but more and more grads are looking to be cast on a reality show. Recent college grads are inundating online reality casting communities like realtywanted.com, craigslist.org and other casting networks seeking a chance to be on a reality show, hoping to jumpstart their career. They may be craving their 15 minutes of fame, but most are hoping that 15 minutes somehow creates a career.

Recent grad Darrell Riggins said he sees more opportunities within the world of reality television than in the actual job market. "If the economy was how it was a few years back, I'd be finding a full time job, but I have a degree in business finance, and finance sucks right now," the 22-year-old said. "I think reality TV could really help me start a career, or at least help me figure out what to do with my life ... I could be noticed by someone watching who wants to hire me, maybe someone at a television network needs a financial analyst -- you never know what could happen! There are so many opportunities when you're on TV. I really hope I make it!" It seems as though young adults have given up on cramming for the GRE, LSAT or MCAT and are heading to the local photographer to get head shots in hopes of getting into the "new" grad school.

Speaking of "grad schools," New York City acting coach Paul Galinsky has the dubious distinction of being the first acting coach to ever have a "reality show" school. Instead of actors being schooled in Method and Mamet, wannabe new starlets are groomed in the actual process of auditioning, casting, and follow-up. As he stated, "The New York Reality TV School is not about giving away 'secrets'. We are about finding and hi-lighting what makes you unique, building your confidence and examining how you package yourself so you can best get cast on the show of your choosing. We trains students to be exciting confident members of Reality TV casts and to have a strong understanding of the specific technical principles and professional aspects of acting and how it translates to being cast on a reality TV show."

So, much like the so-called "online diploma mills," who are willing to grant you a master's degree based on "life experience," Galinksy is offering to teach you what you already know. And while Galinsky certainly has the proper acting credentials -- he was even featured on the BBC and some of his "students" have gone on to successful careers (Jorge Bendersky went on to star in Animal Planet's "Groomer Has It," while Dontato DeMarinis had a bit spot on "Law and Order"), the question begs itself: can you really teach someone something that they already know?