I ask this because for the most part my observation of such is that "gritty" has meant the inclusion of detailed descriptions of violence, sexuality, profanity, etc (usually all rolled up into one) to enhance "realism" when the effect to me comes across as shock-value entertainment with no real purpose other than the spectactle of itself.

If people want that kind of shock entertainment, that's perfectly fine: indeed, I'm happy they have a source from which to indulge their interests.

For myself, however, the most notorious authors of such works (Goodkind, Martin, Bakker) have been the only authors whose books I never enjoyed and have been the only series I've never finished reading. In particular, I disliked Bakker so much I had to resort to skimming the latter half of the first book just to find out out happens when the description of the book and premise of the series is one I would normally find extremely interesting.