Perhaps “reality TV” is an oxymoron. But there’s something oh so familiar about this Russian reality show “Dom-2: New Love,” in which contestants seem far more preoccupied with another activity. (Via English Russia.)

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According to this story in the New York Times yesterday, a new Russian public holiday that stretches from the New Year to January 9 is causing havoc to health and the economy:

Since the January holidays, as they are called, came into being with the arrival of 2005, sociologists, psychologists and economists have chronicled what they call disturbing consequences of an extended period of leisure. They include an economic slowdown and seasonal spikes in fires, domestic abuse and deaths by alcohol poisoning.

“The number of crimes committed during these 10 days increases dramatically,” the newspaper Noviye Izvestiya warned in December. “The country plunges into an unrestrained binge.”

Apparently President Putin disappears for extended periods, Fed Ex stops delivering and television channels pare down their programming. Only in Russia.