Watching Reality TV

At the end of “Survivor: Cook Islands” the other night, we got the traditional sneak peek at the next season of Survivor. But I, who have often been jaded by Survivor in recent years, was very interested by what I saw. I think this new season, airing in February, has a lot of promise. The thing that intrigued me the most was when Jeff said, “Survivor turns the tables on two tribes, as one lives the life of luxury while the other is left with virtually nothing.” This definitely echos Mark Burnett’s other reality series, The Apprentice. But besides that, it sounds downright juicy. Especially considering this is Survivor we’re talking about. To have one team enjoy luxury while the other is forced to struggle even more could add a very interesting dynamic. It looked from the preview that the luxury tribe would have many useful tools and implements and perhaps some food? Time will tell!

There also promises to be 19 castaways, the largest number yet. And, perhaps, a new way to divide the tribes which should be interesting to see. Regarding Exile Island, Jeff teased that there will be “two hidden immunity idols and a twist [that] will drastically complicate the game. … And one of the most controversial decisions ever made by a Survivor will have America talking.�? Awesome!

As Miss Ali said in her TWOP recap: This never happens. Ever. I dared not believe it was true, but it was. Yul Kwon has won Survivor: Cook Islands. It felt deserved, honest, interesting and fulfilling. You almost never can say that about a Survivor finale. It was a very close vote, however. Ozzy Lusth captured 4 of the 9 jury votes compared to Yul’s 5. Becky, the third member of the Finale Three, got zero but that was to be expected.

Firstly, let’s talk about all that happened last night. Adam was predictably voted out after Ozzy won the immunity challenge and Yul once again didn’t need to use his hidden immunity idol (surprise, surprise on both counts there). The finale immunity challenge was a classic endurance trial with a vanishing platform. Becky was out first on that, followed by Yul and then Sundra with Ozzy winning (again). Ozzy decided he didn’t want to pick between Becky and Sundra at Tribal Council. Yul didn’t really want to either, even though he really wanted Becky to make it to the Final Three. He even offered Becky his immunity idol (which I thought was not a good move on all counts), but she turned it down. She realized that the jury would have no affection for someone who they may already see as riding coattails making it into the Final Three in such a manner. So the final vote was forced to a tie between Becky and Sundra. Which means the two women had to have a fire building contest. The first to light a fire and burn through a rope, causing a bell to ring, would get to stay.

What followed was, by Ozzy’s count, “an incredibly embarrassing display of firemaking skills.” Despite being on the island for 38 days, neither of these women could build a decent fire. First they were given flint and after an HOUR of failing with that, they were given matches. And even then, they couldn’t get it done. Jeff expressed disgust. The jury rolls it’s collective eyes. Then, after an hour and a half, Sundra ran out of matches. Seriously. I’m not even remotely kidding here. All she could do then, was sit back and watch Becky make her fire with her remaining matches. Which she FINALLY did. So the Final Three was Ozzy, Yul and Becky.

During the last night, the jury stayed pretty much civilized. Adam tried to stir things up, as did Candace and Jonathon. But the Final Three had so much class (that NEVER happens), they didn’t really get ruffled up by any of it. All the questions were answered thoroughly and everyone was just so… good. I really can’t explain it. It was actually a pleasure to see, for a change. As Jeff said when revealing the winner, “I have to say to you guys that for my money [this season was] one of the most enjoyable seasons that we have had in quite a while and for a show that’s been on for thirteen seasons now, that’s saying something.” I mean, if anyone would know, it’d be Jeff.

In the end, as I said before, Yul edged out Ozzy to win. And it was good. Ozzy, bless his heart, won the audience voted “Clever Choice” award, which was a 2007 Mercury Mariner. So at least he got something. He looked so pained all through the revealing of votes at the end, as if he literally was going to get sick. I think he was happy for Yul, and understood, but I think he was nervous and probably more than a little disappointed. He was deserving, but so was Yul. I’m happy with the result. It was a well played game this time around and we, as an audience, truly got a treat.

Or at least, that’s what ABC is counting on. Yep, you heard it right, Oprah is expanding her vast empire to cover the wonderful world of reality tv. Daily Variety has reported that Oprah and her Harpo Productions team have gotten together with ABC to air two primetime reality tv shows. This marks a first Oprah, her first primetime television show and also a first for Harpo’s new TV development department. The two shows are “Oprah Winfrey’s Big Give” and the tenuously titled “Your Money or Your Life.” ABC, for one, is very excited and feel both shows are a wonderful fit for their brand.

There are no scheduled launch dates for these shows, which will focus on bettering people in line with themes from Oprah’s daytime show.

As announced back in early 2006, there will be a special All-Star edition of VH1’s “The Surreal Life” and it will begin January 7th. This special show will feature eleven celebrities from the six seasons of “The Surreal Life” who are competing for $100,000. Robin Leach (of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” fame) serves as the show’s host and the show was filmed in Las Vegas. Each episode will be a full hour long and will feature competitions which poke fun at Hollywood life. Winners will get to hang out on the ultra-lavish “A-list” side of the house while the losers will be forced to move to the “B-list” side.

Sounds like some interesting competitions as well as the “All-Star” cast will keep me tuned in. How about you?

Some of the competitions will be “Paparazzi Hide-and-Seek,” “Scandal Video Film Festival,” “Hotel Room Trash-a-thon,” “What’s Charo Saying?” Others will test each celebrity’s fame by seeing who has the most Google search results for their name or determining who can get the biggest “real” celebrity to return their call.

The eleven former The Surreal Life cast members (nearly all of whom were already revealed back in February) who competed in Fames Games were Brigitte Nielsen (Season 3), Chyna Doll (Season 4), Vanilla Ice (Season 2), Sandy “Pepa” Denton, (Season 5), Emmanuel Lewis (Season 1), C.C. DeVille (Season 6), Ron Jeremy (Season 2), Jordan Knight (Season 3), Verne “Mini Me” Troyer (Season 4), Andrea Lowell (Season 6) and Tracy Bingham (Season 2). As previously reported back in March, Knight quit the competition after filming had already begun. Troyer was his replacement.

While I’m still a little unsure if this she is joining the cast of the ABC hit show or the UK version on which it is based, there’s no denying the fact that Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, will be joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars. All the news sites say she has been confirmed for Dancing with the Stars 4, airing in March 2007.

Executive Producer Conrad Green hopes that the addition of the Duchess to the cast will add a certain dignity to the proceedings, not to mention class. I know I, for one, will be interested to see how she does.

After many, many seasons of “Survivor”, Mark Burnett and Co. are changing things up for the Cook Islands finale. Traditionally, there is a final two that are then voted on by a jury of seven former co-castaways. We’ve grown to depend on that formula. But this time, there will be a final three and they will be voted on by a jury of nine. This, of course, is a huge change for the show. Not all of the contestants were pleased to hear about the change, obviously, as their strategies had been aimed at a different end. This is a wonderful thing for the viewers of “Survivor”, however. We now stand a greater chance at seeing a truly deserving person win the $1,000,000 grand prize.

That’s not all the news about the finale. To read all the details, check out this article over at Reality TV World.

I think this is a great twist and change. This can only be good for us “Survivor” fans out there. Plus, with a show as long running as this one, any change is good as far as keeping the audience interested!

The one-time star of MTV’s reality show “The Simple Life” with Paris Hilton, Richie was pulled over late Sunday night/early Monday morning in Burbank, California after CHP officers responded to several calls to 911 about a driver going the wrong way on the freeway. No one was injured, thank goodness, and Richie was very lucky that all she did was embarass herself.

She claims she had been following friends, but no other vehicles were seen traveling in the wrong direction on that particular freeway. She admitted to taking some prescription painkillers and smoking some marijuana. She was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and officers said she was “cooperative”. She was booked and released roughly two hours later.

Coincidentally, Hilton herself was arrested for DUI back in September.

Okay, for a minute, I thought this was a joke. But no, it is reality. As in, reality tv. Yes folks, you heard it right, there will be a new reality tv show debuting on CBS (perhaps in 2007 though the news story left out that particular information) that will make celebrities actual police officers.

Erik Estrada (of “CHiPs” fame), LaToya Jackson, Jack Osborne (of “The Osbornes”), Wee Man (of MTV’s “Jackass”) and Trish Stratus (WWE pro wrestler) will all star in a new reality show where these b-list celebrities will fight crime in Muncie, Indiana alongside the real, actual police officers. The contestants have been officially sworn in as reserve officers, allowing them to carry badges and guns for the show.

I don’t think I can even find the words to describe how I feel about this. Scared comes close.

Season 7 of “America’s Next Top Model” wrapped up last night on The CW, and model Caridee English emerged the victor. After Eugena Washington was eliminated, the competition was down to English and Melrose Bickerstaff (what is WITH these names??). The two faced off on the runway as “ghost brides” (yes, I know). After Bickerstaff lost her cool when English stepped on her dress, English won the title despite having a less than fabulous turn on the runway. And so another (rather pained) installment of ANTM comes to an end. And reality tv watchers the world over breathe a sigh of relief.

The sixth season of “The Apprentice” will air this January on NBC and in a press release, we learn the identities of the contestants and some of the interesting twists that will occur during the competition. Most notably, the losing team will have to sleep outside in tents and use porta-potties while the winning team gets to enjoy the high life in a posh mansion. Harsh! Of course, since this season takes place in Los Angeles instead of NYC, I don’t expect the weather to be much of a troubling factor. Still, there’s a big difference between porta-potties and jacuzzi tubs.

In the last several seasons, “The Apprentice” has lost my interest, but I may have to tune in this year. Some of the twists sound interesting, and being set in a totally different city will inject some new life into what has become a rather tired show. Some of the contestants sound… intriguing as well. I think I’ll give it a shot.

If you’d like to learn more about the show, about the contestants and some of the surprising twists, check out the official press release.

Over at “Ask the Reality TV Experts” on MSNBC.com, they’re taking nominations for a end-of-the-year reality TV round-up of sorts. Suggested categories include Dumbest Rule, Most Missed Show, Grossest Scene… but the sky is truly the limit and you are only hemmed in by your own creativity on this one. If you’re interested in taking part, just email them with your nomination and stay tuned to that column for voting and results. I can already think of a couple that I would nominate, were I to take part: Dumbest Rule = Non-Elimination Legs on Amazing Race (the ones where you used to lose money and all that? The current incarnation is much better) or perhaps any of the little “twists” that Big Brother has pumped out. Good lord, ya’ll.

Also in the column is a tidbit about how David and Mary (formerly of Amazing Race) cleaned up on “The View” when Rosie O’Donnell showered them with gifts, including a new home to replace their trailer. But interesting to note: in the article it is mentioned that David and Mary are confirmed as contestants on the new All-Star season of Amazing Race, which I believe is due out in early 2007. Other contestants who have been confirmed are Joyce and Uchenna and Rob and Amber. I’m very interested to see who else will be selected. If anyone from Team Weaver is on there, I may have to boycott.