I think that they’re interesting to a point. Seeing how other people live gives people with limited interaction with more diverse people (people not just like them) a chance to see how others live. When it becomes pure exploitation, I think its crossed a line. For example, “Jon and Kate Plus 8” has become exploitation. They’re using the show to promote themselves, books, etc. They’re doing it to be highly paid celebrities. “18 Kids and Counting” is not exploitation. They’re showing how these people live, the parents are not becoming major celebrities, they’re going about their normal lives with some TV cameras around. Sure they’re paid, sure they do the occasional interview, but they don’t let it affect their family life and what they do. It depends on the show and the people. Octomom would be in the “exploitation” bracket. “The Little Couple” is not.