I don't know why I'm laughing, Robin, because I've never watched the show. But there's that new soda commercial (Pepsi? Dr. Pepper? -- someone help me!) where these two women are one-upping each other, and I'm assuming since that senseless competition is parodied a lot, that that's what the show is about. Is that what your co-workers mean?
I've never seen the show either. But I think I get this manic look when I'm logged onto Cath.com. And I suddenly start laughing out loud. Kind of like a crazy person?
People discuss a lot of personal issues here. In that line of thought, maybe your coworkers see this as airing dirty laundry or discovering secrets. I'm sure when people discuss any forum discussion topic outside the forum, more often then not, they usually pick the more colorful topics.