Reality programs specifically serve an interesting role. Their "talent" (as blandly as that can be defined) are being paid weekly stipends -- and are usually competing for a greater individual prize -- in order to entertain audiences. But, again, there's a bit of self-interest in it for the participants, because they all want to win their season (and receive the bragging rights and payout that accompanies that). It isn't really comparable to any mainstream service industry or corporate position out there...and, in fact, it's almost in an entirely separate category from scripted television roles themselves.