Watching Reality TV

I’m sure all of you by now have heard of CBS’s new reality TV show, “Kid Nation”.   It’s a show that has 40 children let lose in a ghost town in the middle of New Mexico.  The children are then challenged to rebuild and run the town all on their own.  They have 40 days to sink or swim.  Unlike “Survivor”, there aren’t weekly eliminations and each child could go home whenever they wished.  Each child that finishes the entire series will be awarded $5,000 with a $20,000 bonus to the child voted the best participant of each episode.  This show has been drumming up some serious controversy, between questions about violating child labor laws, to parents outrage to questions over the safety of letting children cook/etc alone unsupervised.  In the midst of all this, “Kid Nation” is getting some great publicity and I doubt there’s too many people out there who haven’t heard of this new show (premiering September 19 at 8pm) and aren’t at least a little interested in checking it out and seeing what all the hubub is about.

I recently heard about a brand new reality TV show coming to the Fine Living network later this month. It’s called “Shopping with Chefs” and features two familiar faces. First off, you have Jill Davie who was the winner of Food Network’s “Hot Chefs South Beach” competition. Then you have David Myers, who was a Food Network Iron Chef this last year. Considering the popularity of “Hell’s Kitchen” and kitchen-related reality shows lately, this sounds like a guaranteed hit to me. Instead of focusing on competition, this show rather highlights a partnership between the two chefs as they enlighten us all on what you need to buy and have in your kitchen to be a successful cook. The show premieres, as I said, on the Fine Living Network on July 22 at 8pm, with other episodes beginning to air on July 28 at 1pm. If you’d like a sneak peak, check the video below!

<a href=�?http://www.fineliving.com/fine/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,FINE_26036_63118,00.html�?>Shopping with Chefs</a>

There’s a little bit of everything today, so let’s get started:

• Notice the super-cool, completely professional (snort) looking masthead up top!  451Press has now implemented the option to use customized mastheads for the blogs and I think it’s a fabulous idea.  Expect that this one will change periodically as my mood strikes.  Do you like it?
• Remember when I mentioned that “On the Lot”’s ratings were up last week after having an abysmal rating of 2.9 million viewers the week before?  Well this week, they were back to 2.9 million viewers again.  Variety even reported that “On the Lot” was dragging down ratings for “House” which airs directly afterwards but still has about double the viewers the reality show has.  OUCH.  So does anyone want to take bets for how long until this show is finally pulled from the lineup?
• Expect to see Jennie Garth from “Beverly Hills 90210″ fame to join “Dancing with the Stars 5″ this fall.  Apparently former co-star Ian Ziering was able to talk her into it.  Also, it’s rumored that Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown will be joining the cast as well.
• If you were wondering, the contestants on CBS’s “Pirate Master” aren’t responsible for keeping the boat afloat.  Apparently the ship runs with a “ghost crew” that works things behind the scenes.  Of course!  I pretty much figured as much.
• Frankie Abernathy, a former cast member of MTV’s Real World: San Diego, died over the weekend from cystic fibrosis.  Frankie left the show midseason after much drama that is ever-present on the MTV reality show.
• Donald Trump apparently hasn’t gotten the hint and is developing another reality show, this time for FOX.  He’s pimping a “Lady or a Tramp” style show where women are sent to “charm school” in order to learn how to be proper ladies.  Riiiiight.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, ya’ll.  The world is chock full of reality news today.   But that’s the juiciest of the juicy.  Enjoy your Thursday!

Victoria Beckham won’t be doing her reality show any more.  The former Spice Girl and British sensation has quit her NBC reality show detailing her families move and transition to the United States in order to (wait for it) spend more time with her family.  Also, she would have had to miss husband David Beckham’s soccer games for the next several weeks in order to film the show and that was a compromise she wasn’t willing to make.  Apparently, Victoria had told NBC executives up front that she would be by her husband’s side at all games but they thought she would still give the TV show precedence.  I guess they misjudged that one, eh?  Apparently, floored by this new development, the producers are scrambling to salvage what they have left of the show and work it into an hour-long special, rather than a reality series.  Next time, listen to the lady, fellas.

FOX’s “On the Lot” was easily the most anticipated new reality show of the summer.  Now that it’s begun, a lot of people are left feeling disappointed.  So, it’s time at last for the second most anticipated new reality show to premiere.  I’m talking about CBS’s “Pirate Master”, which debuts tonight at 8pm.  Also auspicious?  It was seven years ago tonight that CBS debuted that little show we call “Survivor”.  That has got to be some good reality karma, you think?  The premise of the show is:

“16 modern-day pirates as they embark on a high seas adventure around the Caribbean island of Dominica in search of hidden treasure that will total $1 million,�? according to CBS. They “will live aboard a massive 179-foot pirate ship�? and “will go on extraordinary expeditions and decipher clues along the way,�? winning “[g]old coins — real money that the pirates can take with them beyond the show.�?

It may not be a hit, but it sure sounds like a lot of fun to watch.   It’s got to be more fun than “On the Lot” has been.  The American public deserves some harmless, interesting and totally absorbing fun, don’t you think?  And what can be more fun than a bunch of people running around pretending to be pirates?  I ask you!  I know I’ll be tuning in, how about you?

Starting in exactly 7 days, 11 hours and roughly 54 minutes, VH1 will be launching their new reality-esque program called “Acceptable TV”. You may have seen an ad for this while watching repeats of “I love the 90s”. The premise for this show is pretty simple. It plays upon our innate urge when watching bad tv shows to say to ourselves, “I could do better.” VH1 is calling all of you out on that one, basically saying, “Prove it.” They want you to control what you think is “Acceptable TV” (get it now?) Each Friday night at 10pm they’ll show a couple short television pilots as well as pilots that have been submitted to them by viewers. After you watch the pilots, you log onto acceptable.tv on vote for what you loved. The shows that get the most votes will be back the next week. The others will not. You’ll also get the opportunity to upload your own show that might make it on the air. Jack Black is a host and co-creator of this show, so expect some pretty silly stuff. Don’t believe me? Check out the trailer:

According to a report in Variety as well as an article on realityblurred.com, a new reality tv show is set to hit the air in the UK next fall sometime. The show is called “Dumped” and features, get this, 10 contestants living in a dump for three weeks. Why didn’t we think of that??

On Dumped, “the 10 [will have] to exist entirely on stuff from other people’s junk. Everything they eat, wear, shelter under or use — including the TV — will have to come from other people’s trash,�? Variety reports.

Channel 4’s Andrew Mackenzie says, “Some of the tasks may be pretty gross, but in compensation the participants will find that even the finer things of life can be catered for — with the perfectly-useable luxury goods that get thrown away.�?

Now tell me that isn’t a fantastic idea for a reality show? I wonder how long it will take for the US to steal the idea and “trash” it up some, in good American style. That’s what we often do to hit shows from the UK, after all.

reality tv, new show, channel 4, UK, England, Dumped

Sure he can play basketball, but can he host a reality tv show? Thanks to ABC, we’re going to be finding out. The former Miami Heat star has been chosen to host a new reality tv show that focuses on childhood obesity and health. This show, like many other reality shows, is patterned after a successful UK program, “Ian Wright’s Unfit Kids.” Ian Wright is a former soccer star across the pond. This issue is near to Shaq’s heart, as the father of six children and an outspoken proponent of the awareness of childhood obesity.

The series, being filmed in Broward County, Fla., will track the lives of the children involved. O’Neal will be on hand as booster and, in episodes yet to be shot, will lobby politicians on causes including school nutrition, Daily Variety reported Monday.

A premiere date and show times haven’t been released yet, but keep your eyes peeled. I’m thinking we’ll see this one pop up sometime this summer so that perhaps more children will be able to tune in and learn during their summer breaks.

Shaquille O’Neal, reality tv, new tv show, childhood obesity, children’s health, ABC, Ian Wright’s Unfit Kids

Do you remember when I said that Britain’s Beckhams, now Los Angeles residents, might get their own reality show? Looks like it came true! Victoria Beckham has reportedly signed a multi-million dollar deal with NBC to host her own reality show, following the Beckhams as they move to America. They’re moving to America, of course, because her husband David Beckham (world famous soccer player) recently signed a huge contract to play soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“The Americans were falling over themselves to sign Victoria up for a TV show but we had to choose the right deal for her. NBC won out in the end as they have really taken a shine to Vic’s hilarious sense of humor and they want to capitalize on this,” said Simon Fuller. Fuller is responsible for the deal with the Galaxy as well as being a one-time manager for Victoria’s pop group, the Spice Girls. I just have to say: sense of humor? Have you seen the pictures of this woman? She NEVER smiles! Regardless, I have to admit it does sound interesting. No airdate has been announced.

It’s such a simple, genius idea, that I have to wonder why they didn’t think of it sooner. Bunim-Murray (the folks behind MTV’s “The Real World”) have developed a new reality tv show for Spike TV called, “Murder”. Think “CSI” for the reality-tv set. Contestants on the show will try to solve the actual homicide that has been re-created for them based on evidence, a crime scene investigation and even an interview with the actual coroner who covered the case initially. They have 48 hours to complete their investigation before having to present their findings to Detective Tommy Le Noir (his real name! How cool is that!). They will then find out what actually happened and the group whose investigation was closest to being the correct will win. What do they win? A donation made in their names to a selected victim’s charity. Now tell me you don’t think that sounds like a pretty darned cool show. I think I could potentially enjoy this show a lot more than I do shows like “CSI” and “Law and Order”. I’ve never been a big fan of crime drama, but I think this sounds very interesting. Expect to see this one hit your small screen this summer. I’ll let you know a specific premiere date when I find out.

I have to admit, this one sounds like a lot of fun. You know, minus the prostitutes. Apparently John de Mol, creator of “Big Brother”, is looking to launch a new reality mega-show on ABC called “The Golden Cage.” And, like “Big Brother”, this is a show that has already been a hit with the Dutch. The similarities don’t end there, either. The show features ten contestants who share a house. Except this is no mere home. This is an opulent mansion, complete with servants and live the lives of millionaires. Now, the Dutch version also included prostitutes but I can’t see where an American counterpart would even consider implementing that little bonus. The contestants won’t be completely locked inside, they’ll have limited contact with family members and friends as rewards for various competitions. There’s also a nice prize at the finish. The winner wins the home itself, as well as a good chunk of change. And? There is no set time limit for this show. Contestants will leave either via their own decision or if every other contestant agrees to vote them off during the twice-monthly dismissals. Also to look forward to? The 24/7 live feeds on the internet where you can see what the contestants are doing at all hours of the day and night. Just like “Big Brother.”

de Mol says, “The format is so bloody simple, you wonder why we haven’t thought of it before. … It’s all on a much higher level. It feels like a drama.�? Like I said, I’m intrigued.

Fans of reality tv and Harry Potter rejoice! The two addictive vices have come together in Britain at last. British tv, BBC, has unveiled plans to turn “Harry Potter” into a reality tv show called “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” The show will take children at a British boarding school and turn them into wizards.

According to RealityTVWorld.com,

In each episode, the fourteen children featured on the series will learn card tricks, Latin spells and illusions which they will then perform for a group of “magic mentors,” who will judge the competition’s performances to decide who must leave the Hogwarts-style school and return to living amongst the muggles. BBC executive Anne Gilchrist thinks the show will “inspire and amaze.”

The mechanics of this escapes me, but I can’t help but charmed by the idea. For one thing, an elimination style competition might be a little heavy for children (I’m not sure the age group, but I imagine we’re looking at the pre-teen crowd here). Still, sounds like a lot of fun. Hopefully we’ll get to catch the show on BBC America over here on this side of “The Pond”.

reality tv, Harry Potter, BBC, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Hogwarts

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that Britain’s most famous celebrity couple, David and Victoria Beckham, are moving to America. Soccer star David recently signed a five year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer team, in an effort to boost the sport here in the US. But I’m not here to talk about soccer, I’m here to talk about reality tv. Yep, you guessed it, the Beckhams are planning their own reality show detailing their move and transition to America. Apparently, FOX (home of “American Idol”, the most famous of US reality shows) has offered the Beckhams a sweet deal should they want to take advantage of it. A show like this would undoubtedly help launch the couple in the US, where they have yet to see the level of fame they enjoy over in England. It would also be beneficial to FOX, who owns the broadcasting rights to US Soccer games. Time will tell, but I imagine many people would be interested in a show like this. I, for one, feel I know very little about the Beckhams and it’d be tempting to learn more about them.

David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, reality tv, soccer, FOX

There is much reality news I could talk about this morning. I could talk about the premiere of “The Apprentice” last night, how the debut of “Grease: YTOTIW” went and was it any good (short answer: yes), how “American Idol” is going to stream it’s episodes online, dish about the new play-along reality show, “Is He Gay, Straight or Taken?”, or how Erik Estrada is getting a little to into the part on “Armed and Famous”. But I’m not going to. I’d rather talk instead about Bindi Irwin and her new show to be airing on Discovery Kids later this year. Bindi is, of course, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin who was killed in September. (I still can’t believe that, so sad.) Even before her father died, the tyke was busy at work on her show, called “Bindi, the Jungle Girl” which is looking to be a kids-sized version of “The Crocodile Hunter”. And now, she’s making her American debut in a big way. She’ll not only be giving a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., but will also be appearing on the “Ellen Degeneres Show” and “The Late Show” with David Letterman. While she’s in the states, she’ll also kick up her heels with The Wiggles and team up with fellow Aussies Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts and Rupert Murdoch at a gala dinner. Coincidentally (or maybe not so), her debut will coincide with the airing of Steve Irwin’s “Ocean’s Deadliest” documentary, the show he was working on when he died (minus the stingray footage, of course).

I’ll be keeping my eye on this brave little girl and be interested to see what she does to carry on her father’s awesome legacy.

Bindi Irwin, Steve Irwin, Discovery Kids, Bindi the Jungle Girl, new reality tv show

Sunday is shaping up to be a big day for reality TV fans out there. Not only will “The Apprentice 6″ be starting on Sunday night at 9:30 (it will normally air at 9pm), but the much hyped “Grease; You’re the one that I want” will be premiering Sunday night at 8pm. Both shows are airing on NBC so check your local listings. I’m considerably less jazzed about “The Apprentice” this time around, mostly due to Trump’s atrocious behavior of late. I don’t see where feeding this man’s obnoxious need for publicity is going to help matters much. Hey, even reality fans can have standards, can’t they?

But the new “Grease: You’re the one that I want” sounds very interesting. The premise is very “American Idol”-esque. The show will audition broadway star-wannabes for the two top roles in an upcoming “Grease” musical. Starting later this month, the shows will be live and the audience will have a chance to chime in on who they think make the best Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski.

So I think I know what I’ll be doing come Sunday evening, how about you?

Grease: You’re the One that I Want, The Apprentice, Donald Trump, reality tv