Pop Culture Circadian Rhythm

Being halfway around the world from 90% of the pop culture I consume changes my daily flow a little bit. Its no secret that I am an unabashed pop culture junkie. Most American shows are a season or two behind here, and ultimately it is not worth paying $40 on iTunes to watch the current season of 30 Rock of The Office. So I have readjusted around some new entertainment. Here's a rundown of the television I watch.
1. The Biggest Loser Asia. Same as the American version, but with a contingent of contestants from anglophone Southeast Asia. One contestant is named Genghis Khan (from The Philippines, inexplicably). My fave, a Malaysian woman named Shakira, just got voted off this week. I have a couple problems with the Biggest Loser franchise. First is that the show is extremely repetitive. I'll admit that the first episode I ever saw was interesting and even inspirational, but after subsequent viewings I realized that basically the same thing happens in every episode. Secondly, the format is needlessly slavish to the reality paradigm. It is completely unnecessary and cruel to vote contestants off on each episode. Isn't there enough drama in achieving life-changing weight loss? Doesn't the viewer root for all the contestants to succeed? Eliminations are not interesting or , it is sad to see someone arbitrarily denied such a unique opportunity. The third grievance is trivial; for all its virtues, BL Asia's use of the metric system makes for less variance in weight loss statistics. Contestants are pretty much limited to a loss of one, two or three kg., the range of pounds makes for better TV.
2. The Amazing Race Asia. TAR is a reality show I appreciate in concept but find pretty dull - its like, here you are at the Sphinx, mysterious and remarkable benchmark of human civilization. Now, jump on these pogo sticks while getting in petty arguments that, although unintelligible to the viewer, will vaguely remind them of some family vacation moments. Again, a collection of anglophone southeast Asians, in this case traipsing about Asia performing menial tasks.
3. Recycled American shows. The Diva Channel shows old Top Chef episodes on a one per day cycle. Whenever Maki comes home, I am inevitably guiltily caught watching Top Chef. There are also many movies to choose from.