Watching Reality TV

SOAPNet further divulges into the reality realm tonight with the new show Holidate, where two women switch cities and go on three handpicked dates. These women have decided that they are currently looking in the wrong city for their Mr. Right. Each woman will venture outside their comfort zone in order to find The One. I have to say I have seen some clips of this show and it looks ok. The concept is at least kind of new and fresh. Trade your life with someone else’s to find love, not entirely new but yet something we haven’t seen in a long time. Although I am sure I will check out this show, I admit I am not thrilled at all with SOAPNets reality show choices so far. I watched a couple of Southern Belles episodes but I just couldn’t take it. And I do have issues with SOAPNet airing reality shows. You are a network devoted to Soap Operas why are you not showing them. On the other hand we all know some of the best Soap Opera’s are reality shows, The Hills anyone. But all in all I am against SOAPNet airing reality shows. All of that aside if you want to get a sneak peek into Holidate go to www.soapnet.go.com/shows/holidate. There is actually a pretty good video clip of the show. Ok so despite my personal SOAPNet and reality show issues, if you are looking for something a little different then check out Holidate. The whole switching cities is bound to be at the very least amusing. Holidate premieres tonight at 10PM EST.

Before I get into the actual point of this blog I want to point out that tonight The Bachelorette Jillian Harris makes her choice. In what is being called the most emotional finale in Bachelor/Bachelorette history, aren’t they all, Jillian will choose between Ed and Kiptyn. Now I haven’t watched this season at all because Jillian annoys me but I felt I should remind my readers that The Final Rose Ceremony is tonight at 8PM EST on ABC.
In other related Bachelor/Bachelorette news there is a rumor that twin brothers Mike and Steve Stagliano will be the next Bachelors. in a twins edition. Mike was one of Jillian’s final four guys. Now that is a Bachelor season I might actually watch.
Ok so now that that is out of the way let me move on to what is on my mind. It looks like the Octo-Mom reality show is actually going to happen. Eyeworks, the production company behind the reality series, have delivered papers to the Los Angeles Courts asking them to allow all of the Octo-Mom kids to earn $250 a day while filming is going on. That means if the show is picked up for the proposed three seasons the 14 children of Octo-Mom could earn hefty paychecks. Personally I don’t think the paper work would be filed if there weren’t some sort of interest in this show. I still think it will end up on VH1. This type of show would fit into their reality show programming. I guess now all we have to do is wait for the official announcement. Great.

I know it has only been really two weeks of the new Big Brother season but you know me I need to comment on it already. I do not like the athlete’s click, minus Jeff. Jessie, Russell and Natalie are awful they pretty much think they rule the house. That is your typical athlete click for you. And now that Jessie has become Head of Household for the second time in two weeks I am sure the athlete cockiness will only get worse. On a side not here I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to stomach Jessie for another season but I will admit he is so much better than last year, I think he may have learned that he needed to scale down his obnoxiousness in order to stay in the game. Granted I still don’t like him but he is better than last year, and I totally think something is going on with him and Natalie. Alright so the other houseguests are ok and I did like how the house was divided it made it interesting at voting time. However I was so glad to see Ronnie’s lies and deceit finally be uncovered. Did he not learn anything from Brian last year, you can’t play everyone, and I so hope he gets sent packing this week. But we all know this is Big Brother and although I am sure Jessie will nominate him, that doesn’t mean the will go home. Personally I would like to see Ronnie and Russell on the block but since Russell is safe I would say Ronnie and Chima, because well Chima bugs me. All in all Big Brother is off to a good start. Here is hoping this click thing doesn’t last too much longer and it becomes all for one that is what is going to kick this season up a notch. An all new episode of Big Brother airs tonight at 8PM EST on CBS.

I was just watching TV when I saw a commercial for a new show on Fox Reality Channel, Househusbands of Hollywood. The show caught my attention; it is set to première in August, more on that later. Anyway after I saw the promo clip I was like I can’t believe I totally forgot about Fox Reality Channel. I write about reality shows and yet it has completely slipped my mind that there is an entire channel devoted to reality television. So after I saw the promo I went to the website, foxreality.com, and began searching the site which helped me become completely informed about the channel. Not only does the channel play some of your favorite shows, like Hell’s Kitchen, but they have more footage, more interviews, more great stuff we all love. Plus Fox Reality channel also has original shows such as Battle of the Bods. I am so excited that I was reminded today about this channel. I am right now watching an episode of The Mole Season One, which was really the only good season of The Mole. Heck yeah! I could really go on and on about this, but I won’t because well I kind of look silly for not knowing about this channel. After all I am suppose to be an expert about reality televison right. I guess we all miss things once in awhile. Alright so check out Fox Reality Channel and see some of your favorite shows and some great new ones. There is so going to be a blog about Househusbands of Hollywood coming soon. I am going to leave you all with one last question, am I the only one who forgot about this channel, please tell me I’m not!

Tonight after much anticipation and speculation Katie Holmes will finally have the chance to strut her stuff on So You Think You Can Dance. Apparently Holmes is doing a Judy Garland tribute. I know you all will be tuning in to see what Mrs. Cruise can do. Oh and in case you were wondering why Katie Holmes decided to do a reality show, well it looks like she did it for charity, sort of. Katie is currently working with the Dizzy Feet Foundation which helps out the under privileged youth who want to dance, etc. The show airs at 9PM EST on Fox. I have to admit there is part of me that wants to see it and part of me that is pretty sure I have better things to do with my time.
On a completely different note Heidi Montag is going to sing at the Miss Universe pageant next month. Oh yes the famewhore will torture viewers with her attempt to sing her latest album. I want to know how in the world Trump of all people agreed to this? Isn’t he having enough issues with all the pageant crap without adding this disaster waiting to happen to the list. I mean really Trump couldn’t have afforded a real singer he had to get a fake one.
Alright that is all there you have my two cents for the day, Katie tonight on So You Think You Can Dance and Heidi will be apparently “singing” on Miss Universe. What an odd day I tell you.

I have told you all about the show Locked Up Abroad on the National Geographic Channel, I think it is a great show and I have highly recommended you watch it. Well if you have not taken my advice, although I am not sure why you wouldn’t, then you really need to watch tonight’s episode. Zara Whittaker who is currently serving time in a Barbados jail for attempting to smuggle cocaine, gave birth and then had to give the baby up. Tonight’s Locked Up Abroad, airing at 10PM EST is her story. Just from watching the below video clips I can tell this is going to be a great show. Although I completely disagree with what Zara did, her story about being pregnant in jail and giving birth in jail is very interesting. Yes I know she isn’t the only person to have had a baby while in jail, but none the less the story is good. Look we all make choices and have to suffer the consequences of our actions, but ladies could you really imagine having child in jail, in a foreign country, and then having to give the child up. Crazy I tell you. Anyway I like this show because it is stories about real people, and to me that is real reality television. So like I said if you haven’t watched the show I really think tonights will be a good one to watch. I have included some video clips from tonight’s show below so that you can get a little peek into the episode.
Drugs in Paradise
Baby Behind Bars

Brace yourselves my reality show loving friends I have some news for you that will make you go what the heck. It looks like Kevin Federline is getting a reality show with his new girlfriend. Oh yes you read it correctly K-Fed is coming back to your TV. Remember the disaster that was Chaotic, I can’t imagine this show is going to be any better. At least with Chaotic you had Britney Spears this one is just K-Fed and what’s her name, oh yeah Victoria Prince. I read this and I just had to share it with you all. I mean who would give him a show. No one cared about him when he was married to Britney and they certainly don’t care about him now.
I wonder if the show will feature Sean Preston and Jayden James, I am guessing that Kevin would probably like that but I highly doubt that Brit Brit’s dad is going to let the kids participate in a reality TV show. Oh maybe it will end up a court battle like with Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen. Anyway that can be a whole other blog topic.
The outstanding, not, network that has agreed to air what I am sure is a train wreck waiting to happen, is no other than VH1. Come on are any of you surprised, this is so just the show VH1 would go for. After all they are the one network that keeps giving has been celebs, or wanna be celebs a second chance. Well my friends I will let you ponder the news that K-Fed is getting his own reality TV show. Personally I am still in shock and honestly a little applaud. Let me know what you think?

It may be Monday but let me tell you it is going to be one heck of a good night of reality TV watching.
Let’s begin with of course The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All at 8PM EST an ABC. I haven’t watched this season of The Bachelorette because quite frankly Jillian annoys the crap out of me. However for those of you who have been watching you are not going to want to miss this tell all. Everyone knows that the tell all shows are awesome. They tend to be no holds bar which I like.
Immediately following The Bachelorette special is ABC’s new dating show, Dating In The Dark. Oh yes this is not your typical dating show. In an interesting twist each week three men and three women get to know each other in a pitch black room. The men and women must rely on communication skills and other senses to figure out if they have a connection with someone else or not. It is like the ultimate experiment, bond in the dark then turn the lights on to reveal the persons looks. I think there could be some falling in love and also some broken hearts. I like this idea and am intrigued to see what happens. Can two people who would not normally hook up in the day light fall in love in the dark and still be together once the lights are turned back on, I hope so! Dating In The Dark premieres tonight at 10PM EST on ABC.
Terrell Owens is no longer just a football player for the Buffalo Bills, now he has his own reality show too. The T.O. Show premieres tonight at 10PM EST on VH1. Follow this cocky bachelor who thinks he is a star as he explores dating in the off-season. Oh and in his dating quest he is aided by two female pals, who I assume attempt to help him. All I can say about this is that I don’t like T.O on the field so I am pretty sure I won’t like him off the field, but hey to each his own.
Alright there you have it some great reality choices for your Monday, enjoy and have a great day.

It is sports night to shine tonight with The ESPY’s airing tonight at 9PM EST on ESPN of course. The ESPY’s are basically the awards show for athletes with of course a plethora of A-list stars to perform and present and you know do all that kind of awards show stuff. The only thing that I don’t like about the ESPY’s is that it is not live like say The Grammy’s or Emmy Awards shows. But you know me I love a good awards show, so I will be tuning in. Especially since my girl Shawn Johnson is up for Best Breakthrough Athlete, you go Shawn. Another Olympic medalist up for an award is yes you guessed it Michael Phelps, who is up for Best Male Athlete. I am going to bet that both Shawn and Michael win their respective categories, just a hunch. Anyway besides that the show is fun and relaxed, not stuffy like the Oscars. It is truly a night where all genres of entertainment come together. You have sports, music, and movie/television stars in one place. It really is cool. Ladies if you are a sports fan like me this is one awards show you might actually get your man to watch. I know I can’t get my boyfriend to watch awards shows with me ever but we plan of watching this one together. So if you are looking for something to watch tonight after Big Brother than tune in to The ESPY’s.
And as always let me know what you think of the show.

The Real Housewives of New York and New Jersey certainly do bring the drama to their shows, but now the drama is continuing off camera. The New Jersey housewives continue to band together over their dislike of Danielle. I saw an episode of The View recently with Caroline, Dina, Teresa and Jacqueline and boy where they trash talking Danielle. So the bad blood just keeps flowing. If the drama inside the New Jersey wives wasn’t bad enough one New York cast member said that the New Jersey franchise has brought the whole Real Housewives franchise to an all-new low, ouch. Maybe the New York wives hould keep quiet considering they are in a salary war with Bravo. The greedy women are just getting greedier. Word on the street is Bravo is considering recasting the show. Also adding fuel to the fire it looks like Bethany Frankel is getting her own show.
Drama, drama, drama. These women are grown adults who act like spoiled brats. Clearly the “fame” has gone to all their heads. The NY and NJ housewives seem to be out of control. Yet what I find interesting is that you never hear anything about the Atlanta or Orange County housewives. They seem to just do their shows and stay out of the press. Personally I think that the whole Real Housewives franchise is overrated and all the media attention isn’t helping me like it better. And the impression that they are giving of real housewives is awful. But I guess it gets rating and sells magazines so that is all it is about, makes me glad I don’t waste my time watching these shows.

I just read that super hottie Antonio Sabato Jr. is in fact getting his own reality show. The concept is Antonio looking for love, sounds familiar doesn’t it. Saboto’s show will be nothing new to viewers just a different person looking for love. After reading this I got to thinking that reality TV really needs to shake up their ideas a bit. There seem to be only a handful of concepts out there that just keep getting recycled by networks. There is definitely a lack of originality in the reality arena. I mean really I like Antonio and all but do we really need another I want to find love show. I feel like it has been awhile since an original reality show. Reality TV seems to consist of losing weight shows, dancing and singing shows, finding love shows, food competion shows, fashion competions shows, raising a family shows and lets follow people around shows. Those really are the themes of reality television right now. Let me be clear I am not slamming reality TV, I love it you know I do. I just think it needs to be switched up a little. That being said I am sure you are going well if she thinks it needs a change what are her brilliant ideas to change it. Well let me tell you. How about a show with a wannabe actor/actress is trying to get a job, or a recent grad looking for a job, or something in an office, I know they aren’t great ideas but if it is cast correctly some of these ideas could work. All I am saying is it might be time to throw another idea into the ring.

It is Primetime Emmy nomination day and some of your reality faves have been nominated. Here is the lowdown on the Reality nominations.

Outstanding Host For A Reality Competition
Ryan Seacrest – American Idol
Tom Bergeron – Dancing With The Stars
Heidi Klum – Project Runway
Jeff Probst, - Survivor
Phil Keoghan - The Amazing Race
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio – Top Chef

Outstanding Reality Competition
American Idol
Dancing With The Stars
Project Runway
The Amazing Race
Top Chef

Outstanding Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow
Dirty Jobs
Dog Whisperer
Intervention
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
MythBusters

I have to say I am pleased with the Outstanding Host and Outstanding Reality Competition categories. I think there is some good stuff there and it could be a difficult choice. However for the Outstanding Reality Program category I was really disappointed but I think I am disappointed because I don’t really know any of the shows except for Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. I know Intervention some I have watched it a few times but I don’t really have an opinion on it. As for what I think should go there I don’t know.
Now even though I do think there is some good stuff in the Reality Competition category I must say that I think there is one show and host that should be on those two lists. I think that The Biggest Loser and host Alison Sweeney should have been nominated. The show is phenomenal, and inspiring, plus it has launched a whole The Biggest Loser weight loss program that has helped a lot of people. Alison Sweeney is amazing and I think she deserves some recognition. Alright those are my only gripes with the nominations. The Emmy Awards will air on Sunday September 20th on CBS. For a full list of Emmy Nominations click here.

Tonight Bravo debuts its latest reality show Miami Social at 10PM EST. The concept is nothing we haven’t seen before the lives of the rich being documented essentially. This time the lives of Miami’s social scene are being chronicled. They are young, rich, hot people who are professionals during the day and partying machines by night. One might say they are the crème de le crème of the Miami social scene. I am going to say this from the get go that I think the show looks bad, and I mean bad bad, not so bad it is good. Now maybe that could just be from the promos that Bravo shows but from those clips, the cast bios and video clips on the website, there doesn’t seem to be very much appealing about the cast or show. There are a couple of familiar faces on Miami Social. Katrina was on season one of The Apprentice and Hardy was on season two of Big Brother. I love it when reality shows recycle people. Anyway back to the show. I think the reason it doesn’t appeal to me is I am kind of tired of the whole lets follow the elite people concept. Granted it hasn’t been done before in Miami and that is a completely different social scene, but still tired of the concept. Now you all know that even though I think it is going to suck I will watch the first episode and give it a try. Hey you never know I could be wrong, it has happened occasionally in the past. Either way I of course will let you know what I think. As always I want you to let me know your thoughts on Miami Social. Ugh I can’t believe I am going to watch this show. Not sure why I am so negative about it, I just am.

Alright so I have a couple of really good things for you my reality show loving friends.
First for you Big Brother fans tune in tonight to Reality Check Radio for an in depth interview with Jessica Hughbank’s. As you know Jessica was on Season 8 of Big Brother and fell for America’s Player Eric, which actually cost her in the game. Well last week Jessica came back for a chance to return to the Big Brother house. Unfortunately for her the clique she would have joined lost the challenge dashing her hopes of a Big Brother return. That being said Jessica is here to answer all of your burning questions and discuss her experience with the show. The interview begins at 11PM EST. You can find Reality Check Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/reality_check. If you want to participate in the live web chat, listeners are encouraged to register for a user account at www.blogtalkradio.com. I know I am tuning in I love Reality Check Radio.
In some Survivor news rumor has it that Season 20 will be another All Stars season and that producers have asked Richard Hatch to come back. Season 20 is slated to air in the spring of 2010. I really hope this rumor is true. Survivor All Stars rocked and there have been some even better contestants since then. In fact there are so many I can’t even think of who all I would want to come back. The 19th season, which will take place in Samoa, is set to air this fall on CBS.

I know I just did a Big Brother post the other day but I couldn’t resist sharing my thoughts with you about the new season. For those of you who aren’t Big Brother fans I promise I won’t turn this into a Big Brother blog. On that note I love the new season of Big Brother. The whole high school cliques is a fantastic twist to the show. Much better than the whole couples thing they did a couple of seasons ago. I like that you have to work for yourself and for your clique too. The cast seems likes a pretty decent group this year, very entertaining to say the least. I can’t wait to pick a favorite, I am leaning towards Russell for now, but only because he is super hot. The house is amazing, one of the best I think so far. Although I am not too keen on the whole splish splash room, it is a unique idea. Oh and the mystery guest, great idea to bring back four former players that had to relay on the current houseguests to get them back in the house. However, I was none too pleased that Jessie was the winner. UGH I can’t stand that guy. I really wanted Jessica to go back in, but I would have liked Brian or Cowboy too. Seriously any of them but Jessie, he was torture to watch last year. I can only hope that he gets voted out in the first couple of weeks. All in all I am excited to get the new season rolling, yes my friends it is officially summer. An all-new episode of Big Brother airs tonight at 8PM EST on CBS.