Plastic covered couches: does the extra longevity justify the tacky look?

I can’t figure out why anyone would do this to their furniture. I mean, talk about UGLY! Do people actually sit on the plastic directly, without laying down a throw blanket first? Also, doesn’t the plastic make a lot of noise when you make even the slightest movement?

What is up with this bizarre practice?

Fact from fiction… err nevermind.