The programming gurus at MTV are basing their profit-making strategy on the viewer demographic of 12 to 34 — as if there's no difference in maturity level between 12 and 34. MTV's brand of sensationalistic "reality TV" was easily demonstrated on the night of Oct. 5, when they aired a primetime marathon (from 7 p.m. Eastern to 1 a.m.) of their hour-long documentary series called "True Life." Just the episode titles were jaw-dropping.

1. "I'm Out."

2. "I'm Polyamorous."

3. "I'm Bisexual."

4. "I'm Changing My Sex." (This ran twice in a row.)

5. "I'm In The Sex Industry."

Some of these ("Polyamorous," "Bisexual," "Sex Change") debuted in the last few months. Others weren't (the "Sex Industry" show debuted last year, "I'm Out" in 2006). Recent "True Life" programs without the Behind the Zipper focus, such as "I'm a Sports Fanatic," were somehow not sexual or outrageous enough to be selected for this marathon targeted at 12-year-olds and up. MTV isn't kidding when they tout the series as "remarkable real-life stories of young people and the unusual subcultures they inhabit."

Just for the record, the MTV website advertises these "True Life" programs are not given content ratings, so there was no chance a parent relying on the empty promise of V-chip technology would keep these programs out of their home.

MTV programming chief Tony DiSanto says the new teens and twenty-somethings are "the transparent generation," too wise to the ways of "reality" television. "They don't want to see a reality show that feels produced or is film-like," he said. "It's got to be real, authentic."