Watching Reality TV

MTV will air their annual Video Music Awards tonight at 9PM EST. It seems there are big things happening at this years awards. As I am sure you all know Britney Spears is opening the show, the real question is whether or not she will actually perform? Personally I don’t think she is going to, I think it is all hype to get the viewers. Yes MTV is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the VMA’s 25th anniversary, including getting Kayne West to close the show. Um wasn’t it just last year that Kayne said he would never return to the awards. Nice job MTV. Other scheduled performers include Christina Aguilera, who is rumored to be performing her first single Genie In A Bottle, Kid Rock, Pink, Katy Perry and the oh so hot Jonas Brothers and Rhianna. By the way Katy Perry is apparently going to sing Madonna’s Like A Virgin, yeah that won’t be a train wreck. No offense but no one should sing Madonna songs but Madge, just my opinion. Let’s not forget the slew of presenters that have been announced too, Michael Phelps, The Hills Gang, Shia LaBeouf, a very pregnant Ashlee Simpson and many many more. Sounds like it is going to be one heck of a show. We all know that the MTV Video Music Awards never disappoint and I am sure this year will be no different. If you want so see who is wearing what, check out MTV’s Opening Act at 8PM EST, which is pretty much the Red Carpet for the Awards. Personally that is always my favorite part.

I know it isn’t a typical reality show, but I figure Stand Up To Cancer is such and important cause that I should write about it. I should also say this is a completely different type of post than I usually write but I feel the subject makes it more than post worthy. Plus this topic is very close to me. Tonight ABC, CBS and NBC will air Stand Up To Cancer at 8PM EST. This is a star studded event to raise funds for cancer research. Some of the A-list stars who are lending their star power for this historic unprecedented even are Jennifer Aniston, Hillary Swank, Christina Appelgate and many more. If you have been listening to the radio, then you know that the song Just Stand Up has been released by a variety of musicians including Beyonce, Sheryl Crow, Carrie Underwood, Rhianna and many more. All the stars on this song will take the stage tonight to perform the song as one. I have heard the song and it is great, so to see all the artists come together to perform it will be amazing. An event like this brings so much awareness to cancer, how can you not watch and support it. I think an event like this is long overdue. If you think about it at some point in our lives each person will know someone who not only has cancer, but unfortunately most of us will lose someone close to us to cancer. That is one scary thought. I know I have 3 people in my life I have lost to various types of cancer and I am only in my early 30’s. That being said I suggest that everyone take an hour out of your life to watch this event. You all know I am all about the DVR, I love my DVR, but this is one event I plan on watching live. For more information on tonight’s even go to standuptocancer.org. Tune it and Support!

An all new season of Kitchen Nightmares begins tonight at 8PM EST on Fox. Tough talking chef Gordon Ramsay is back to basically belittle and force more people into fixing their disastrous restaurants. To kick off the new season Gordon will go back and visit six of the worst restaurants from season one. Did he actually help them turn there business around, or have the owners gone back to their previous ways? You will have to tune in to find out. Then continue watching this season as Gordon takes on a new restaurant, or food business, each week. Viewers will get to see first hand the stressful realities of running a restaurant or even just a food business for that matter. Whatever the issue with the restaurant one thing is for sure, if Gordon can’t turn things around, then the owners might as well close their doors. Everyone knows Gordon knows his stuff. You may not like him, but if you want to be successful in any sort of culinary business you better listen to him. Personally I don’t like Gordon Ramsay or his other show Hell’s Kitchen. I know people love him and his shows but I find him unbearable to watch. In fact I would rather not watch TV then before forced to watch a Gordon Ramsay show. That being said if you disagree with me, and you always can, Kitchen Nightmares Season 2 begins tonight at 8PM EST on Fox. And of course please let me know what you think of Kitchen Nightmares and Gordon Ramsay.

Oh yes the Fall TV season is getting into full swing and the excitement continues tonight with two great premieres.

America’s Next Top Model Cycle 11 kicks off tonight with a 2 hour premiere beginning at 8PM EST on The CW. That’s right Tyra and Co are back with a whole new crop of supermodel wannabes, 14 to be exact, all hoping to hear Tyra say the now infamous words “You are America’s Next Top Model”. Included in the 14 wannabes is Isis, the first ever transgender contest. I am betting that will make for some interesting moments in the house. Word on the street is that there is a very heated divide in the house this season. Could this have something to do with Isis? We will just have to watch and see. Personally I think it is great that Isis is on the show, but that is just my opinion. Anyway as always fans should expect some great makeovers, along with lots and lots of DRAMA. I can’t wait!

Also premiering tonight is Top Design at 10PM EST on Bravo. India Hicks comes in as the new host in Season 2 of this hit Bravo show. India along with style genius Todd Oldham and Jonathan Adler guide 13 contestants in this Interior Design competition. Rumor has it that one of the competitions will be designing a window display for Project Runway alums. Way to bring the two hit shows together Bravo. To meet all of the Top Design contestants and new host India log onto BravoTV.com. I personally have not watched Top Design, nor have I heard much about the show. Which means I am dying to know what the scoop is, so if you watch please give me the lowdown.

It’s Labor Day and that means the unofficial end of summer to most people. For me it means the new Fall TV season is about to start. This year it literally means the start of The CW and Fox’s Fall TV season. Below is a premiere schedule for both The CW and Fox. All times are EST.

The CW
Tonight 9/1 – Gossip Girl 8PM, One Tree Hill 9PM
Tuesday 9/2 – 90210 – 2 hour premiere 8PM
Wednesday 9/3 – America’s Next Top Model – 2 hour premiere 8PM
Tuesday 9/9 – Privelaged 9PM
Thursday 9/18 – Smallville 8PM, Supernatural 9PM
Sunday 9/21 – Valentine Inc. 8PM, Easy Money 9PM
Friday 10/3 – Everybody Hates Chris 8PM, The Game 8:30PM
Wednesday 10/23 – Stylista 9PM

Fox
Tonight 9/1 – Prison Break – 2 hour premiere 8PM
Wednesday 9/3 – Bones – 2 hour premiere 8PM
Thursday 9/4 – Kitchen Nightmare - 2 hour premiere 8PM
Friday 9/5 – Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader - 2 hour premiere 8PM
Saturday 9/6 – Cops 8PM, America’s Most Wanted 9PM
Monday 9/8 – Sarah Connor Chronicles 8PM
Tuesday 9/9 – Fringe 8PM
Wednesday 9/10 – “Til Death 9PM, Do Not Disturb 9:30PM
Thursday 9/11 – Hole In The Wall 8PM
Friday 9/12 – Don’t Forget The Lyrics 9PM
Tuesday 9/16 – House 9PM
Sunday 9/28 – The Simpson 8PM, King of The Hill 8:30 PM, Family Guy 9PM, American Dad 9:30PM

Wow so much great TV coming up. Yes the new Fall TV season is officially here.
For in depth information on each show log on o to CWTV.com and Fox.com. And don’t forget to set your TiVo’s and DVR’s so you don’t miss a minute.

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