Switch on the TV, open the paper, surf the internet and all that greets you are messages of doom and gloom about the economy. If reports are to be believed we are all about to be trampled to death in horrific scenes that represent a mini Armageddon when we are all so desperately poor that it takes a week's wages to purchase a loaf of bread and selling our children on eBay is looking an ever more attractive option simply to make ends meet.

Ok, I exaggerate slightly but this scaremongering simply inflames the situation by making people panic when there is still nothing we can do about it. We are in the hands of the Government and financial institutions and all we can do is make the best of a bad job.

To that end, people are looking to escapism TV to hide away from this enforced reality. Losing popularity are the shows such as Eastenders and Casualty where we can see even more of the everyday doom and gloom of life and in come the chat shows that make us all feel that little more superior. There is something ultimately satisfying about watching daytime TV and being able to criticise the chav girl on Jeremy Kyle with her Basildon face lift (where the pony tail is scraped back so tight that the eyes are pulled into Chinese style). We poke fun at her Crayola style black eyeliner attempts and the fact that she obviously doesn't own a mirror because who in their right mind would go on TV in a tracksuit that has purpling belly overhang?

These people hail from a certain section of society that make us all feel that little bit better about ourselves. They think nothing of airing their dirty laundry in public for a freebie night in a London hotel or their five minutes of fame. Self respect simply doesn't seem to be in them.

With these shows gaining in popularity, the producers are looking to a wider section of society to pick apart. It is reported that an upcoming show will be featuring used car dealers. Kyle promises to grill used car dealers on their tactics. Those wishing to participate must own a donkey jacket that will be worn to the show, they must speak with a gravelly, London accent and sport red drinkers noses. They must own at least one car lot that hasn't had a presence for longer than two months and have plenty of skeletons in their cupboards in the form of dodgy deals.

The show promises to bring you the humiliation of used car dealers that includes past customers surprising the guests with tails of cut and shut disasters and those responsible for buying up cars that have a dubious history. In a new twist, it is hoped that a selection of used car dealers that are completely above board, with a few token respectably dressed people that want to sing their praises.

Once this section of society have been ripped to shreds to the satisfaction of the common masses, it is hoped future shows will follow up with the picking apart of Saturday shop assistants who can't be bothered to get a proper job, financial advisers - if any can be found left in the country - and the occasional peeping tom paperboy jsut to remind us of how low these shows can get.