I avoided watching reality TV like the plague. I couldn’t imagine the appeal and I was vocal in my opinions. So, I was careful not to watch because I knew if I didn’t watch them, there was no possible chance I’d get sucked into them and end up looking like a fool. Also, I’d tune out conversations on the shows and their contestants for the very same reasons. With firm resolve, I managed to steer clear of Survivor, sidestep Amazing Race, and keep away from American Idol — even when William Hung was sweeping the nation.

And I was right. Sadly, I now know if I end up watching an episode, it’s all over — I’m addicted. My downfall: my mother, Bravo TV, Project Runway, and Top Chef. She blind-sided me when she turned Project Runway on one evening while I was at her house visiting. Before I knew it, I was spellbound.

My addiction started harmless enough with the scanning of the television waves for repeats of the episodes I’d missed while I’d sit on pins and needles waiting for the next week’s episode to air — desperate to see if the contestants I liked were going to make it to the next level or be eliminated. Before I knew it, I was deep in the thralls of reality TV and sat for hours talking about Project Runway and Top Chef with my mom — fighting over who were our favorites and who we wanted to get the ax — on which we could never agree.

As I watched the last episode of Project Runway’s last season, I vowed this was it — no more reality TV for me. But I was thwarted by the evil genius that is Bravo TV’s advertising. How dare they show trailers of the upcoming season’s Top Chef!