Watching Reality TV

There are a couple of stories that have the Reality TV world buzzing this week.

Lets start with the salaries of The Hills cast members. All I can say about this is, are you kidding me? Just in case you have been living in a bubble and don’t know what I am talking about, In Touch magazine revealed The Hills cast members salaries in it’s latest issue. Now it is In Touch so I am not sure how reliable it is, but let’s just say the article is true for now. The amount of money that cast makes is unbelievable. I think what shocks me the most is that I had no idea Reality TV stars could make so much money. It just proves how lucrative Reality TV can be. I am betting that L.C. makes more per episode than some non reality primetime stars. Interesting. Okay enough Hills salary talk because the thought of spoiled rich kids getting richer makes me sick.

On to a subject that doesn’t make me sick, The Dancing With The Stars cast was unveiled this week. I am so excited about this cast. I love Susan Lucci, she is after all the queen of daytime. My faves going into the new season are, Susan, Chloris Leachman and Lance Bass. Oh and I am definitely rooting for favorite dancer Julianne and that Hannah Montana guy/ It is going to be a great season, Olympians, oldest dance member ever, first openly gay dancer, and they all have potential/ Ok so now you have my favorite picks, so far, let me know who your favorites are.

And finally some Idol talk, there is going to be a 4th judge. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins Simon, Randy, and Paula when Idol returns for Season 8 in January. I am thinking the producers needed to shake things up for Season 8 and nothing does that like throwing another person into the mix. Can’t wait to see how that works out.

Ok Reality fans that is it for Reality Talk, have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend.

What a week it has been on Big Brother, a broken deal and a double eviction that leaves one alliance ruling the house. I admit when Dan made the deal with Ollie for Head of Household I was like are you an idiot. He basically gave up all his power, but in the end Dan proved me wrong. He went against his word to Ollie by putting Michelle on the block at the veto ceremony. It has become clear that Dan can be sneaky but I really didn’t think he had it in him to shake things up the way he did. Nice job Dan, you are still my favorite to win. Michelle was sent packing and fast forward Big Brother began. A weeks worth of Big Brother in one night and it was a nail biter. In a double tie breaker Head of Household competition Keeha beat Jerry, then immediately put Jerry and Ollie on the block. Dan won the Power of Veto and kept the nominations the same. This sealed Ollie’s fate and he was soon sent to the jury house where he will be reunited with true love April(gag).
Yes a lot went down in the Big Brother house and I have a feeling it was just the beginning. I think the Dan, Keesha, Renny, Memphis alliance is about to be tested. It is getting to that time of the game where people have to start doing what is best for themselves. Something tells me it is going to be boys against girls, but I wouldn’t count Renny or Keesha out yet.
If you missed an episode catch up at CBS.com.

Tonight you can catch a casting special of the MTV’s newest reality show MTV’s Top Pop Group. The show is a nationwide search for the next Pop sensation. Think the next Jonas Brothers or Puusycat Dolls. The show doesn’t actually premiere until September 11th but tonight at 9PM EST on MTV viewers can check out the casting special which will have a sneak peek of the show. Mario Lopez will be hosting the show.

The new season of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency began Tuesday night on Oxygen. This season Janice and the models will be living together in a “model” house. Janice will watch the models every move as she tries to mold them into fierce supermodels that will ultimately bring in money for the agency. The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency airs Tuesday nights at 10PM EST on Oxygen.

A couple of weeks ago I did a blog on The New York Reality TV School. Well the other day I was on the train to work and my newspaper had an article about it. I found the article online and thought I would share it with you. So click here to read the story about The New York Reality TV School.

On a side note my computer has been infected with the AntiVirus 2009, so if my posts are sporadic for the next week or so please bare with me. I am at the mercy of others to get my blogs posted. I hope to have my computer back by next Wednesday or Thursday.

From the executive producers of The Deadliest Catch and Ice Road Truckers comes the newest extreme competition America’s Toughest Jobs. 13 courageous men and women will leave behind their safe and comfortable jobs in favor of experiencing some of the most challenging, dangerous and demanding jobs on earth. The jobs range from logging in the Oregon forest to oil drilling in Texas. These jobs are going to require each competitor to have guts and stamina. After each job success and failure will be determined and those who don’t made the grade will be sent packing. So what are these contestants competing for, besides the thrill of each extreme job? Well each week the salary of the job that was performed will be put into one a pot, which will go to the winner at the finale.
I have watched The Deadliest Catch and it is great, so I have high expectations for this show. I have seen the promos and things get crazy. Personally I don’t think I have the guts or the stamina to try any of the jobs in this series but I commend anyone who does. I mean can you imagine giving up your cushy office job to go crab fishing or gold digging? I will definitely be setting up my DVR to watch this show. You can catch America’s Toughest Jobs Mondays at 9PM EST on NBC. If you want to meet the crazy courageous contestant go to NBC.com. As always let me know if you watch the show and what you think of it.

Remember all those outrageously extravagant Sweet 16 party’s on MTV’s Sweet 16. Well as one can imagine those girls and guys are now a little older, but still spoiled beyond belief and their parents have had enough. Which is kind of ironic considering the parents are the ones who made them that way, but that is beside the point. Anyway MTV gives Sweet 16 fans Sweet 16: Exiled. That is right the spoiled teens you loved to hate are being sent to live in far away countries without their cell phones, blackberry’s, and most importantly without mommy and daddy’s money. That is right in hopes of giving their privileged children a new perspective these parents are sending their kids to places like the Amazon Rainforest, the jungles of Thailand, and the frozen tundra of the Artic Circle. Oh yes these young adults lives are about to change drastically. Each episode focuses on different kids in different countries. MTV viewers can check out the Think Community, which will give out information on the people and the countries featured in each episode.
I was never a huge fan of Sweet 16 because quite honestly the kids and parents on the show disgusted me. Yes the lavish parties were nice to see but the people really turned me off. However, I am very intrigued by Sweet 16: Exiled. I watched the below clip from the first episode and it looks good. If you want to see who the lucky group of guys and girls to be exiled are, go to MTV.com. Then tune in Monday August 25th at 10:30 PM EST after The Hills to see the premiere of Sweet 16: Exiled.
First Episode Clip

After weeks of speculation it has officially been announced that Jason Mesnick will be the next Bachelor. As everyone knows DeAnna Pappas rejected Jason on the most recent installment of The Bachelorette. Although DeAnna turned him down, women all across America quickly fell for the single father. Jason’s popularity even prompted ABC to set up an email address for him so that fans could send him a message. Don’t get too excited though The Bachelor won’t return until January 2009.
I admit I was kind of surprised Jason decided to be The Bachelor. To begin with it means leaving his son again for weeks, unless the show is filmed in Seattle which is a possibility. Also isn’t it clear by the previous Bachelors unsuccessful relationships that meeting someone on the TV isn’t the best way to find love. So far there are only two couples in the whole Bachelor/Bachelorette series that are still together, Trista & Ryan, and Byron & Mary. I am not including DeAnna & Jessie yet cause they are still too new as a couple. Jason went on and on about how he wants to be in love, meet the right person, etc. etc., does he really think being The Bachelor will make that happen. I am disappointed he agreed to do this, I thought he was more sincere about wanting to find someone. But hey it is only my opinion. Maybe because he really is looking for love and not fame, he can find his Ms. Right on TV. I know I will be watching to see what unfolds. Although I am skeptical about his decision I do wish Jason the best of luck in finding true love. I have always said he seemed like a great guy.

I finally got around to watching Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood, and I am now officially addicted to the show. Tori & Dean are great together and the show is hysterical. A show gets me hooked when it makes me laugh out loud and this show did that a lot. I just finished watching the episode where Stella is born and I cried. Yes I cried watching Tori & Dean, and that wasn’t the first time. I shamefully admit that I have so judged Tori Spelling and judged her unfairly. She is not only ridiculously funny, but she hasn’t had the picture perfect life one might thing. She struggles just like the rest of us, in a different way, but she does struggle. There are even some things I can relate to her on. I have such a newfound respect for both Tori and Dean. In all honestly they kind of inspire me that hopefully someday I can find a love like that. To have built such a great life after having such turmoil and controversy is amazing. I was very pleased to see that Dean’s son Jack was brought up in an episode along with Dean’s guilt and struggle of what kind of a father he is to Jack. What I really like about the show is you can tell that it is not fake or a bunch of staged scenes. I am now going to not only buy Tori’s book sTORI Telling, but I plan on watching the previous two seasons of Tori & Dean’s show. Thank god for itunes. If you have not watched this shown, I strongly suggest you do. I am now off to watch the final 2 episodes I have DVR’d. You can catch Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood Tuesday nights at 10PM EST on Oxygen.

You all know The Hills Season 4 premiered Monday night on MTV. Well I, a devoted Hills fan, admit that I was a little more than disappointed in the show. For the first time I was like wow this is so fake it isn’t even good. Maybe too much has been revealed about the show that is has lost its appeal. You know all know that I love The Hills so for me to admit I didn’t love the premiere must have meant it was not good. The only people on the show who don’t bug me are Audrina and Whitney. I can’t stand Lo. The show was much better before she came on. Spencer is still a complete jerk and frankly I am over him and Heidi. Billy Bush questioned on his radio show the other day whether or not Spencer and Heidi were even a couple. Although I think he was joking, I wonder if it isn’t true. Oh and by the way how awkward was the whole thing with Heidi’s sister saying she was going to move to LA? Yeah that didn’t seem forced or staged at all. As for Lauren, I don’t really know what to say about her, other than she just seemed blah. The more I think about it the more I realize the show has lost something. I think the show has become just as plastic as Heidi. I have heard rumors that Lauren has decided not to do a Season 5, and after watching the premiere I can say that might not be a bad decision on her part. However, Spencer and Heidi have said they will narrate the show if Lauren decides not to. Yeah that will definitely make me stop watching. Alright I have rambled on with my opinion, now let me know yours. Do you still think The Hills rocks or are you over it?

Tomorrow night the decision will be made, who is America’s Best Dance Crew? Will it be Houston’s SoReal Cru or Vegas Super Cr3w.? I personally think it could go either way. I think both Crew’s are phenomenal. However, only one can be given the $100,000 prize and dance supremacy. Don’t miss this exciting finale and after show. It all begins tomorrow at 10PM EST on MTV.
Although we are saying goodbye to this season of America’s Best Dance Crew, we say hello to the return of Tabatha. Bravo debuts yet another new reality show tomorrow night. Tabatha’s Salon Takeover series premieres at !0PM EST. Tabatha Coffey basically goes in and turns around failing salons. The salons aren’t even just failing; some of them are filthy gross, with god-awful people working there. Using her no nonsense approach, Tabatha whips the salons, the workers and the owners into shape in only a weeks time. Although some of the owners are a little more than taken back by Tabatha’s approach, they soon realize that her way is the only way to keep the closed sign from permanently placed on their salon doors. As you may or may not know Tabatha was a fan favorite on Sheer Genius so I have great expectations for this new show.
That is one exciting Thursday night, so set up your DVR’s, cause you do not want to miss a minute. As always me know what you think of the America’ Best Dance Crew Finale, and Tabatha’s Salon Takeover.

MTV has a lot of great stuff happening right now. Along with the Season 4 premiere of my favorite show The Hills last night, MTV gave viewers a sneak peek at the new show Busted. Viewers will be given a daily does of outrageous police busts, on the new MTV show Busted. Think of it as the MTV version of Cops. Busted will move to it’s permanent home at 6PM EST on Monday August 25th. Following Busted will be the return of High School Stories: Scandals, Pranks and Controversies, the greatest High School pranks in the country. Busted and High School Stories are being branded as MTV’s daily programming block, which will air Mondays thru Thursdays. Again all the action begins Monday August 25th at 6PM EST. If that isn’t enough, I have saved the best for last. Making The Band 4 premieres tonight at 9PM EST. You all know this show, courtesy of Diddy, never disappoints and this new season is no exception.
It has to be said, MTV is hot and it just keeps getting hotter. I know some people slam MTV for not playing music videos, remember Justin Timberlakes remark at the VMA’s last year. Well I for one am glad MTV has become what I like to call a Reality Guru. Hit after Hit they produce, including a show that I will talk about next week, Sweet 16 Exiled. Oh yes it is going to be good. I know you can’t wait.
In the meantime check out the below preview clips of Making the Band 4 and Busted.
Making The Band Clip
Busted Clip

There are three new shows that began last week, so I thought I would do a quick recap of shows that you might have missed.

Gone Country 2
Gone Country 2 premiered last week on CMT. It is a competition where random people like Lorenzo Lamas and Chris Kirkpatrick, vie for a chance to record their own country song under the guidance of John Rich. This show is all about country and having fun. Whether you are a country fan or not this show is highly entertaining. You can catch Gone Country on CMT Fridays at 8PM EST.

Hole 18
Hole 18 has been referred to as the Amazing Race meets Golf. Five teams race over a 1,000 miles competing in challenges at well know places and holes in the walls while trying to avoid elimination. Teams are playing to win the 100,000 grand prize. The show airs Tuesday nights on the Golf Channel at 10PM EST.

Blog Cabin
Here is a new interactive show that Bloggers and Reality TV fans will both love. Blog Cabin is the first interactive home-building television series that puts Bloggers in control of the design of a waterfront vacation home. Viewers can watch the cabin being built then enter online for a chance to win the cabin. The show airs on the DIY network Thursdays at 9PM EST. Check out the below promo video.
Promo Video

So there you have three great new interesting shows to check out. I am extremely intrigues by the Blog Cabin show was well as the Gone Country show. I love it when I can find new, different Reality TV shows to watch.

Yes it is true, there is such a thing as Reality TV School. For those Omarosa or Lauren Conrad hopefuls the New York Reality TV School could be just what you need to make it in the world of Reality TV. Students can be taught how to act “real” by Top Chef Alum Dave Martin. There are also exercises where different emotions are handed to the students, so they can learn how to with stand the pressure. Actor Robert Galinsky founded the school.
A school for Reality TV acting! Call me crazy but doesn’t that defeat the purpose of it being Reality TV. Granted everyone knows that not all Reality TV is real, for example producers of The Hills have admitted to doing reshoots, and giving their cast a schedule. However I would like to believe that the reactions of the cast are real. I guess with the new found info about Reality School, the question remains is there anything about Reality TV that is real? I would like to say yes in some cases and in some cases maybe not so real. Take Big Brother for example, the camera’s are on the houseguests 24 hours a day, there is no escape. Unlike say Living Lohan or The Hills, where it only seems like cameras are on them all the time. I think what it all comes down to is that Reality TV may not be as real as we thought, but at the same time it is not completely scripted either. I am sure it is beyond difficult to have a show to completely 100% reality. Either way real Reality TV or fake Reality TV, I still love it. So my faithful readers tell me your thoughts on the Reality TV School?

In order to get viewers psyched about the Season 4 premiere, MTV and US Weekly present The Hills Top Ten Moments, a special airing this weekend on MTV. The 90-minute special obviously counts down the 10 greatest moments from The Hills, while the cast and other celebs, including Perez Hilton, give great commentary. I just finished watching this special and of course I loved it. A couple of key moments are Whitney’s fall on Good Morning America, Lauren not going to Paris, and those aren’t those aren’t even the best ones. Plus there are great exclusive clips from Season 4, which begins Monday at 10PM EST on MTV. One of the things that makes this special so great is the commentary from the cast. You actually get some insight to what really happened in certain situations, like the Brody/Jen Bunney hook up night. I have to say quickly and off the subject, that I think Brody Jenner is so cute, and I love him. Anyway, the special addresses what a phenomenon the show, and its cast have become, and I think it is about time the show acknowledged that.
You all know that I can’t stand Heidi or Spencer, but even those two didn’t bug me during the special. I have to say though, Heidi looked so much better in the beginning of the show then she does now. She was actually pretty, now she is just plastic. Alright if you are a Hills fan you need to check MTV.com for air times of this special, you do not want to miss it.

I am sure you are all well aware by now that Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson took home the gold and silver in last nights Olympic women’s all around gymnastics. The competition was awesome to say the least. Now I don’t want to talk about how much these women deserve or earned these medals because if you watched the competition you know they kicked but. I do want to say that I have some serious issues with the judging. I, as well as the commentators, felt that the judging was biased to say the least. Shawn Johnson is a phenomenal gymnast and although she had some rough spots last night, some of her scores were below what she deserved. I think the judges were a little prejudice against her. Now I by no means am trying to take the glory from Nastia, she too is phenomenal and hands down deserved that gold medal. I just think both girls were judged unfairly, however that seems to be the story of the gymnastics competition in these Olympic games. Again, just my opinion.
Really though I just want to say that watching Shawn and Nastia accept their medals brought me to tears. I am an adult and these two young women have inspired me to follow my dreams. How amazing is it when that happens. The Golden Girls of the USA is what they should be called. Congrats to both Shawn and Nastia for not only winning the medals, but for making their dreams come true.

It has been explosive in the Big Brother house the past couple of weeks, and I am loving every minute of it. Keesha, with some help from Libra, sent that tool Jesse packing last week flipping the entire house. Nice job girls. Unfortunately Michelle then won Head of Household and at her request the house sent Libra packing tonight. In between the two evictions the house was in an uproar, with Dan, America’s player taking an unnecessary amount of ridicule from Jerry. Personally in the last week Dan has become my pick to win it all. I haven’t had a favorite this whole time, and the way he has been playing the game, sold me. Granted in the beginning he did annoy me, but he has grown on me. It was actually his accepting America’s Player and the way he has dealt with the heat that have made him my favorite. As for Jerry he needs to go. He clearly needs to be reminded that he broke his word to Brian, so he is in no position to be so judgemental. Libra said it best tonight, it is a game, and it is called Big Brother for a reason. Speaking of Libra I don’t really have an opinion on her eviction. I wanted her to stay because she causes sosoo much drama, but I was really rooting for Keesha to stay. I am all about the Keesha, Renny, Dan and Memphis alliance. Since Renny is the new Head of Household my guess is that alliance will be just fine this week. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Renny nominates, Jerry, April or Michelle. I am betting she will pick April and Jerry. Who do you think Renny will nominate? Tune in Sunday at 8PM EST on CBS to see if my prediction is correct.
And Survivor Fans, I saw a promo for the new Survivor tonight during Big Brother, it begins September 18th, and it looks GOOOD!