It's been nearly 45 years since former FCC chairman Newton Minnow dubbed television a "vast wasteland". While some people may still agree with that statement, most people today concur that television is a valuable and much needed resource.

Ever since the onset of cable and satellite television, there have been many channels that offer educational programming. Still, most of us have a small cache of shows that we know we probably shouldn't watch-- yet we do. You know what I'm talking about-- those mindless shows that don't provoke much thought. Shows that are pure entertainment-- some with bad writing, some with bad acting, some of them senseless reality shows. Here are a few of my favorite TV guilty pleasures:

-- The Real World Road Rules Challenge (MTV). Okay, okay I know. I'm a grown woman and a mother of three so I probably shouldn't watch a bunch of twenty something's stab each other in the back for a few prizes and some cash. But these kids are like old friends to me. I've watched MTV's "The Real World" and "Road World" since 1992, so I feel like I know these kids.
Plus there's plenty of drama and cat fighting.

-- All My Children (ABC). The granddaddy of all soap operas, in my opinion. I know Erica Kane has been married close to a dozen times. I know people "die" and come back to life on this show. And I know that some plotlines drag on endlessly while a child can grow ten years in one season. Still, how can you not love this stuff? It's absolutely addictive and an hour well spent each day. Hey, I could be watching "Passions".

-- Big Brother (CBS). As far as reality shows go, the plotline of this one is rather thin. There aren't exciting challenges like on "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race". Just a bunch of houseguests voting one another out of the house each week. But there's always alliances and a bit of drama. Every year I say I won't watch it and every year there I am-- glued to the set and frequenting the online message boards. I just can't stop.

--Yes Dear (CBS). I don't know why I watch this show. The jokes are crass and the characters are unlikable. I don't even know the real names of the stars of this series. Still, it's as close to a family oriented sitcom that I can find these days. CBS dropped this show last season and now it has miraculously returned. So I watch it because I can.

--The Surreal Life (VH1). Take a bunch of celebrity has-beens (their word, not mine) and throw them in Glen Campbell's former California home for two weeks and you have-- entertainment? Sure you do, when housemates such as Tammy Faye Baker Messner and porn star Ron Jeremy show up. Brigitte Nielsen found "love" with Public Enemy's Flavor Flav on this show. Peter Brady fell in love with a reality TV model. Life is good as I watch the antics of celebrities at home.

--I Want a Famous Face (MTV). This show depicts graphic cosmetic surgery footage, but I tune in whenever it's on. It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to emulate their favorite celebrities. Sadly, the results aren't usually that convincing. While twin Brad Pitt wannabees improved their looks with surgery, they looked nothing like Pitt. But I watch anyway. And yes, I feel guilty every time.