Here's what I find interesting about the appeal of SO.
I see so much NHRA bashing about how they don't show enough racing and it's become a John Force infomercial...... And yet, the way I see it ..... That the same formula as the SO.
Less tech and details about the cars, more BS from farm truck and azn, more scripted confrontations........ More crap that has to do with "personalities"......that I don't care anything about.
IMO, SO has not gotten any better since it started, it's just become another reality show that has almost nothing to do with reality.
I watch it, but if it went away I wouldn't really care.

I realize I'm probably in the minority of most of the viewers.
The way I see it is, the premis for all of these reality shows, whether it's the voice, survivor, big brother, master chef, or SO, is the same. To get the viewers to connect with the personalities on the show and become invested in them.
It just doesn't work for me, which is why I don't ever watch those shows. As SO becomes more like those other shows, the less interested I am.