People love drama and have way too much interest in other people's business. No matter what country you are in, the national pastime is actually gossiping and it transcends all age and gender lines - highschool, coworkers, neighbours, friends, relatives - no one is immune. However, it seems to be turning into voyeurism! If people could, I believe there are many who would happily put a camera in their neighbour's houses (and not just the bedroom) and these "reality shows" are the next best thing for them.
My parents have one neighbour down the street who proceeded to tell my mom about the divorce of the couple who lived across the street from both of them. When my mom told her that she didn't realize she was such close friends with the wife, the neighbour replied that she wasn't, but they have a police scanner that picks up older model cordless phones and listened in on everything the neighbour confided on the phone to a friend.

And she had no shame or embarassment in admitting that. We were all disgusted, but not surprised, since we suspect this same neighbour of snooping through another's house when she was supposed to be looking after their dog as the reason they were no longer friends after the one returned from her trip. After hearing that story, any time I need to make a confidential call or use a credit card, I do not use a cordless phone no matter how safe they are supposed to be!