Storm chasing Superstars?

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Been pondering this subject and posting an entry on it since we had a high profile storm chaser visit a local college. As I have mentioned in the past one of the advantages of having a blog that isn't read by many allows me to indulge into subject mattes outside of weather or just rant about anything that bothers me. That couldn't be done on one with a large readerships where I would have to be politically correct.. With that being said I am in no way "flaming" or criticizing one or any chaser(s) out there. But I am criticizing the the current portrayal of storm chasers. If this entry offends you then get over yourself and your ego and post on your own blog.
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In the early nineties when I became an active "chaser" if you will, I had no idea what to do or that there was even a name for it. Just see a storm follow and study its characteristics and patterns. Do this every summer and as often as I could was the game plan. I had read all I could on weather since I was a child as it was a huge interest of mine, not to mention I was scared of rough weather. I had no idea there were people out there doing the same thing as me. Then years later the movie "Twister" hit the theaters and things really started moving in the soon to be "chaser world". I came across an ad for Warren Faidleys book on chasing and subsequently bought the book and video. As he claims to be the first professional storm chaser it would be much longer for others to follow and they did...In droves. Fast forward to today and you have the plains full of people in search of one thing and that being tornadoes. Thus the interest about tornadoes began as the movie was released and that video cameras were affordable and open to the masses. From this point the frenzy hasn't died down on bit. Today we have the Discovery Channel with its series on Storm chasing. They have their various hits with "Deadliest Catch" and and the newer "American Loggers" series. I admit to liking the series where they people do what they do for a living. Storm chasing isn't about that. The public wants drama and they want Grandpa's house to land in the next zip code and all of it in HD. The average person doesn't realize its nothing like what they see on TV....
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With all this there has to be people to do the chasing. Granted the people who do this have captured many, many storms and are good at what they do. Go where the storms are plentiful and have at it. But do we have to slowly turn something dangerous into a spectator sport, by numbing it down and making it look like there is no danger? Commonplace sights of the highways in the Plains lined with car after car following the storms. The monster must be fed and there are the networks to do so as long as the ratings are there for it. Place your various personalities in it, throw in a competitive angle and there ya go. I am no fan of the show and have never watched one episode. Kudos to the chasers as they catch what they seek wherever they find it, but when is close enough close enough? With the two main "intercept vehicles" vying for the inside view of a tornado its a matter of time before the "TIV" gets tossed and the "Dominator" get dominated and demolished. Sad part is people will be inside these vehicles at the time. But hey, ratings will going through the roof!
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Back in the day I wanted to see how many antennas and strobe lights I could place on my vehicle..The more on there the more official looking I was. I was a "cool chaser". (Pardon me while gag) LOL! The more crap in the vehicle the better. Like some sort of badge of courage to have all this set up at my fingertips. Fast forward a decade and I have very little things in my truck and no fancy lights. I have learned something from all the madness and that being, "Chase smarter not harder". I chase now for the photography aspects and that's what I love from the scenes out west. There some really talented photographers that seem to get the shots no one else is able to. But these doesn't bring ratings to the networks, video does and up close and personal with the beast is what they want.
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I dont want to come across as sounding bitter, God knows I am not bitter nor even jealous. I hope one day to go out to the plains and enjoy some chasing and see the beauty that is the Great Plains. Maybe when I venture there the circus will already left town....but I doubt it.