Or something similar to MTV. I'm not actually sure myself. But just like someone said, they are famous for being famous. Besides, you aren't American aren't you? It doesn't surprise me that you wouldn't see the covers of abysmal gossip magazines when you go to the grocery store.
In the U.S. there are some people that make a hobby (sometimes obsession) out of keeping track of celebrities. This phenomenon has spawned a whole new type of celebrity that is famous just because they're rich, have rich or famous parents, used to be famous performers but are now washed-up, were popular "characters" on some reality show, etc. These people do stupid crap and generally degrade themselves on "reality" TV shows which somehow allows them to stay relevant...barely.
Suffice it to say that if you don't know who 'Snookie' (*shudders*) is you should count your blessings and ask no more about it lest you be involuntarily polluted by it as I have. I'm only half-way kidding when I say it's the beginning of the end of civilization as we know it. :laugh::cryvaultboy: