IMHO, there is a huge number of shows out now where the secret draw is the, “Someone is worse than me, so I must be normal” factor.
Someone is more stupid than I am - Someone is more whorish than I am -Someone is dirtier - there is someone who screams like an animal- they have more problems than I do. I must be ok.
My house is cleaner than that, she can’t even walk in it for the dog poo, therefore I don’t have a problem! Isn’t she a dirty pig! And the the viewer feels so much better that, well, they just have dirty dishes in the sink 24/7 and some bugs.
The airwaves are full nowadays of reality shows of people with horrible dysfunctions, and by extension, the viewers are doing just fine. Producers have figured out how this works and keep looking for more dysfunctional people for their audience to laugh at, including,
Gypsy shows where they dress like absolute tarts.
Toddlers and Tieras
Housewives
Hoarders
Bridezillas
Honey Boo Boo
Any kind of redneck show where they are made out to be piggy fools
Say Yes to the Dress (nice to look at for dresses, but so many selfish women on there to mock!)
What Not to Wear
I could go on and on.
I would think all those shows are cheaper to make than having to hire competent writers who know how to do a decent tv show...I caught reruns of the old Barney Miller show and its still funny and not at all dated...no politics in the show...Fraser is still funny, Old Bob Newhart shows in reruns are still good...hardley any thing put on in the last 10 years is funny or well written except NCIS (love that show) Oh and WKRP another good rerun...most of these shows are 15-20 years old and still hold up. Now they are sexed up and liberal political messages for us all....yuk