A suburban trifecta on reality TV

We find ourselves wondering this morning why it is that participants from Chicago's suburbs tend to do so well on reality television shows.

Is it that we're more genuine than people on the coasts?

Or is it that we have an endearing Midwestern charm that's part ambition and part humility? On the one hand, we want to be stars, while on the other, we never assume we will be? Kind of that Cubbies-heartbreak syndrome that has us constantly preparing ourselves for disappointment?

Or maybe it's not that complex. Maybe it's just that we're so gosh darn good-looking.

(Yes, now that we think about it, that's probably the secret to our appeal.)

If we sound a little self-indulgent today, please forgive us. It's hard not to be. It's more or less championship week on reality TV, or at least on reality TV's biggest stages, and everywhere you look, suburbanites are competing for the crowns.

On Tuesday night, Michael Ventrella of Bartlett tries to win "The Biggest Loser" on NBC, and on the same evening, Olympic gold-medalist Evan Lysacek of Naperville has a chance to be named the winner of "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC.

And if that's not enough, on Wednesday night, Lee DeWyze of Mount Prospect could end up the winner on the reality show of all reality shows, "American Idol" on Fox. DeWyze's place in television history would be all the more historic in that it would coincide with the swan song appearance of Simon Cowell and his legendary snarl.

The three have created an amazing buzz across the suburbs, that kind of fan following that helps bring communities together.

When DeWyze returned home for a visit the week ago, the turnout for him was incredible, estimated at somewhere between 45,000 and 50,000 supporters.

That support reflects the same kind of local enthusiasm that's behind Ventrella and Lysacek.

We're all pulling for each of them.

And as much as reality TV gets knocked, we're pulling for them for good reason. Each has an inspirational story; each has been successful because of the extraordinary commitment they've put into their efforts.

Ventrella began "The Biggest Loser" at 538 pounds and has lost 229; he's turned his life around. Lysacek's dedication to training goes back to his childhood. DeWyze struggled in school but has overcome the limits of his education through hard work.

We pull for all three of them because they're from the suburbs, but that's not the only reason. We pull for them also because they're nice people. And that's the sweetest reality of their success.