I'm sorry but I have to get this off my chest. The shows you'll basically find with people from LA ink and what not are not the best. Frankly, they make a lot of mistakes and for some reason people have this idea that you need to have a reason to get a tattoo. Here is the bottom line; if you want a tattoo than get one, it doesn't need some heart-felt meaning at all. For some other reason these shows create an even weirder image for the artists, as if the artists only look and behave like that. I've met many tattoo artist over the years, just normal people who do ink, its a great job and perfect for those who have talent and want a career in art.
Not all the shows are bad though, but keep the drama out of it. Now Ink Master on the other hand is pretty good. No bull on the matter of ink and creating, just fun and the basics and what not. You'll learn more from Ink Master than any other show about tattoos, and with real artists.