I agree with the street race shows, I'm not a big fan of them either. They are definitely staged - I mean how in the hell could they take those cars just barely out of town or into some industrial complex, race them on a street and NOT have cops find them? I think I watched one or two episodes and said nah....
I did, however, watch an episode of Fastest Cars in the Dirty South or something like that over the weekend. It seemed like a more legit show....? I was only watching it because they were bringing a Mustang "back to life" or something, but they were full on race cars that they took to an actual track and grudge raced. I may check that show out a little more just to see what it's all about. Otherwise I stick to "restoration" and modification shows if I watch them, but even some of them get under my skin.....
But the internet has all but killed magazines. You can Google whatever you want to find out, like say tuning a Holley carburetor, and find answers in a split second. If you want to see a nice build I think forums and even Facebook takes those away. That doesn't leave a lot for magazines to offer....