If it gets the ratings, you should ask the same of the viewers. It’s not that different from watching the news. After the Virginia Tech shootings, I got a great education on how the media “makes” the news. The gunman sent the videotape to NBC because he knew he could control the news media.
In this case, people want to see these guys get busted. Their lives were not ruined when they got busted. They were ruined long before that time.
I think that there are two schools of thought on this thread...those who condemn the perverts on the show (ie, viewers who watch the show because they like to see people get busted), and those who condemn the show itself (its sleaze factor, its methods, etc). What I don't see on this thread is a lot of people standing up and saying that the perverts on the show are just misunderstood. I think that everyone is in general agreement that these guys need to get what they deserve, it's just how they get there that we're arguing about. BTW, I condemn the show, because I think that it's vigilantism pure and simple, and that the end does not justify the means.
Now - if people (show producers, or just regular guys) would like to aid in a police investigation, or if the show turned over its evidence to law enforcement after obtaining it...then I think that I'd approve a little more. But, the fact that it needs to lure the perv in, and get some sort of a "Money Shot" interview on camera is sensationalist crap, to me.
I think that people will support this kind of justice, until it's their particular ox that gets gored. There aren't too many people who would support a child molester, for instance. But, what about people that spank their kids? That's a real hot button issue with a lot of people. If I choose to give wbill jr a swat on the rear - or even if I do something that's misconstrued (by a busybody neighbor, for instance) as spanking, I don't need Dateline showing up at my house with CPS looking to take my kid away.
To take it to an extreme...what about speeders? Drunk Drivers? People that have a beer, are still legally sober, and drive? Jaywalkers? Where does it stop? Just because something is "for the children" doesn't necessarily make it right - even if the end result is a positive one.