Television: Reality shows reveal little of their subjects

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding was the prelude to My Big Fat Gypsy Holiday.

I had seen the preview ads for the Big Fat Gypsy series several times and decided to take a look, not expecting anything of great note and knowing it was just a mountain of hideous frocks and bling.

However, My Big Fat Gypsy Holiday (Television One at 8.40pm, Thursday) was once again the Romany gypsy women over made-up (day and night), underdressed, tiny skirts, and tight tops accentuating "the girls". And they are, according to them, deeply religious.

Family values dictate the girls never get out on the rantan. Only the males have freedom to go on an overseas holiday to a hotspot promising, sun surf, booze and chicks

This was a peculiar reality show in that it always felt like something was missing. Questions were never quite answered; well that's reality telly isn't it - put up or shut up. Where do travellers get the money to stage expensive weddings for their girls with frocks for a dozen or so bridesmaids, a trail of flower girls and of course the bride herself?

It is nothing less than a theatrical spectacle, which to be honest makes one wince at the garish display. It's a bit like watching a transvestite showdown with all the trimmings.

This episode followed three travellers as they prepare for the most amazing holidays of their lives.

From a 17-year-old bride-to-be planning her Mexican honeymoon, which is her first trip abroad, to Romany brothers on a lads trip in Tenerife, to an 8-year-old girl planning a religious pilgrimage to Bosnia.

The bride-to-be and her female cousins were not bright girls. Shots of them lounging about with thick makeup on, including false eyelashes emphasising their blank eyes, and slobbering chewing gum with their mouths open was not gorgeous.

These people were mostly monosyllabic and the girls in particular were only keen on more makeup, clothes and sequins.

I kept hoping maybe we'd get something real from these people, but no, they're a closed as bunch as any religious sect.

The tale of the 8-year-old about to be presented for her first Holy Communion was no better.

It was like an American beauty pageant for young girls gone mad. The massive tulle confections, the makeup, the silver nails ... aaaagh!

The family then went on a pilgrimage in celebration to a holy village in Bosnia and again it was all about clothes, hair and makeup - and worshipping the Virgin Mary as well.

Like most reality shows it was vapid, shallow, a little fascinating on a superficial level but never really got to the core of who these people are and why.

Reality television haunts our screens so expect nothing - because that's what we get every time.