Tag Archives: reality television

Alone again

Posted on August 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

Sunday, bloody Sunday.

You’ve been my favorite night of television all summer.

But last night The Glee Project wrapped, with Damian and Samuel winning the right to a seven-episode arc on the prime time version of Glee.

In true gleek fashion, the Irish import and the Christian rocker prevailed to share the crown.  The other two runners-up also received  two-episode stints on the show.

Even Cameron, who left the competition early because he didn’t ‘fit in,’ was voted fan favorite.

Everyone’s a winner on The Glee Project.

And last Sunday, Food Network Star also came to a close, with fan favorite — and my choice from early on — Jeff Mauro the Sandwich King getting his own show.

The first episode aired yesterday morning, and it was pretty slick, thanks to the Food Network production team.  I think Jeff should settle in quite nicely.  (As he pointed out himself, he is ‘kinda cuddly.’)

So now Sunday nights are left to only the critters and crazies on True Blood.

Granted, there is enough insanity on that one show alone to carry Sunday night.  But I will kinda miss all the DVR juggling — and Twitter avoidance — I had to manage to watch all three programs without having outcomes or plot twists spoiled.  It made the vast wasteland that is the Monday-thru-Friday’s-of-summer a little easier to bear.

Everyone who’s psyched for premiere week, raise your werepanther!

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Posted in Advertising, Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Television, TV

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Late to the party

Posted on December 14, 2010 | 1 Comment

NBC.  I’ve decided it stands for ‘Never Be Cutting-Edge.’

How else can you explain the network’s decision to launch an “American Idol”-esque program next spring…just as AI is wheezing its final breath?

The producers and major players can see the writing on the wall.  The viewers are leaving, too.  So now NBC decides to enter the singing competition business?

At least they’re consistent.

Sure, their new iteration has a twist. The judges don’t face the contestants, so in theory their decision will be based solely on the quality of the vocals.  (The idea is based on a program called “The Voice of Holland” already in production.)

Forgive me if I think they will get around that stipulation.

More importantly, I think audiences are ready for something different.  When AI dies — which I think will happen after next season if not this one — people will be ready for the next great competition…and this ain’t it.

Who knows?  By then, maybe reality TV will even be going out of style altogether.

We can always dream.

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Posted in Entertainment, Humor, Life, Music, Singing, Television, TV

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Battle of the sexes

Posted on May 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

“American Idol” is down to the final three, and ladies, you’ve done it again!

You’ve proven that you are the true power behind the AI vote.  Just take a look….

  • Crystal Bowersox Gap-toothed, dread-locked ‘Mama Sox’  has been the favorite pretty much from day one.  Her talent transcends her sex, and the fact she’s a mother earns her extra votes as well.
  • Casey James The good-looking, guitar-playing eye candy was my pick at first glance, simply because he was cute…and I think America has kept him in the competition for the same reason.  He wasn’t bad enough to eliminate, and he was awfully fun to look at.  He won’t win it all; in fact, I don’t think he’ll be in the final two.  Voters are pretty fair at the end.  And they can look at him during the AI tour.
  • Lee DeWyze This diamond-in-the-rough (and the best singer in the competition in my opinion) has improved steadily over the weeks.  Lee’s issue is confidence; as it has grown, so has his command of the stage.

And in the finale — which will be Crystal vs. Lee — America, fueled by the ever-powerful female vote, will crown Lee DeWyze their next “American Idol.”

You heard it here first.

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Posted in Humor, Music, Television

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Enough

Posted on April 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

Drop the house on her already, Dorothy.

Why the heck isn’t the Wicked Witch of the Dance Floor dead?

Kate Gosselin, easily one of the most obnoxious of the reality show ilk, is still alive on “Dancing with the Stars.”

It’s not like we’ve seen a completely new Kate over the past few weeks.  Been charmed unexpectedly by her true self.  God no.  All the rehearsal footage of her and poor Tony Dovolani reveal the Kate we already know…and kinda abhor.

Sulking.  Whining.  Crying.  Giving up.  Making Tony — Tony, the dance pro who has already endured so much in the show’s history — lose his cool and threaten to quit.

And yet, there she stands.  The bottom vote getter….again.  Somehow surviving…again.

It paso’s my doble.

Who is voting for her?  The moms of the America?  Do you really think she represents you?

Better you stand behind Pamela Anderson, who has been a revelation.  Sure, she’s as sexy as you thought she would be.  But she’s working hard.  She’s got a great attitude.  She’s interesting.  She’s fun!

Save the siren…

Kill the beast!

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Posted in Humor, Music, Television

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AI vs DWTS

Posted on April 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

I don’t think it was an April Fool’s Day joke.

AOL is asking — and letting people vote, ’cause that’s what we like to do –  what is the best live reality show competition:  “American Idol” or “Dancing with the Stars”?

As of this writing, “Dancing with the Stars” was winning 60/40.

AMEN.

AI may have been first on the scene, but DWTS is doing it better.  Here’s why:

1.  Judges — There are three unique personalities who each know dance, have distinct opinions on dance, and give actionable critiques after each performance about the dance. They are entertaining, yes — and Bruno just might be insane — but the celebrities and their pros know what they are doing right and what needs work.

2. Host — Tom Bergeron is simply the best host working in television today.  He runs the show with perfect pacing and energy, never baubles a scripted intro and — most importantly — can ad lib on the fly no matter what is thrown his way…and this show really throws it.

They have added a new co-host this year, former model and  DWTS champion Brooke Burke — gorgeous, but you could prop up a mannequin and not notice any difference.

3. Casting – This is where “American Idol” has the big disadvantage.  The judges and producers can pre-cast to their hearts content, but they are still dealing with raw, undeveloped talent. And the viewers decide who stays or goes.

“Dancing with the Stars” can choose from actors, singers, athletes and celebrities whose fame (infamy?) is an immediate audience draw.  Add their existing stable of pro dancers and you’ve guaranteed tears, injury, illness, scandal, laughs — oh, and dancing.

How can you not love it?

I’ve told friends to only watch an episode of DWTS if they are committed to following the rest of the season…’cause you can’t watch just one.

No foolin’.

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Posted in Humor, Television

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Pick me

Posted on January 29, 2010 | 2 Comments

Pick me.

Pick me, pick me, pick me.

Have you considered…me?

Pick me!!

I refer to the recent announcement that Samantha Harris is leaving her job as co-host on “Dancing with the Stars.”  After eight years with the show, she plans to focus on her ‘reporting duties’ on The Insider and Entertainment Tonight Weekend.

I imagine her new baby has something to do with her decision.  Or perhaps “Dancing with the Stars” is ready for new blood?

Sure, they could hire a more seasoned personality of the reality show ilk for the job, but let’s face it — the celebrity dancers don’t want to share star power with the person holding the microphone when they already have to contend with a dozen other divas.

I would simply be that nobody that ABC plucked out of nowhere who has average looks and an above average sense of humor.  I would give the job a nice balance between throwing props to the pros and their progeny and finding the funny in the feathers and frills.

Plus, I am a Tom Bergeron fanatic.  If he has grown weary of a co-host like Samantha who spends most of her time sculpting her arms, I would be a breath of fresh air.  I don’t have a sculpted anything — unless Tom wants me to — anything to learn at the right hand of the guru of TV show hosts.

Pick me, Tom.  Pick me.

Did I mention I’m interested in the job?

(Pick me.)

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Posted in Humor, Television

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Idol no more

Posted on January 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

I greeted the first “American Idol” of the season with mixed feelings — excited the show was back, but annoyed that I had to sit through the grueling audition episodes before the real studio competition begins.

(I could skip them, sure, but I’d miss all the back story stuff that shapes the entire season…so I motor through. Best strategy: DVR, then fast forward.)

And as I sat there, watching the first show LIVE, I could understand why Simon Cowell decided to leave AI after this season.

With Paula Abdul gone, Kara DioGuardi has become a stronger, more strident voice on the panel and I’m already tired of her. Randy is his usual mix of useless cliches, and guest judges are filling in until Ellen Degeneres appears in the Hollywood shows. I think it will be hard for her to break out of the nice gal personality she has established, so I don’t expect much substance in her feedback.

So now, more than ever, Simon is the only judge on the panel who has industry experience and credibility and entertains, all at the same time.  If I were him, I wouldn’t want that burden either.  At least when Paula was around, with her combination of industry experience and bizarre craziness, he had someone to banter with.  I doubt he and Ellen are going to go head-to-head…and if they do, she’ll want a dance-off.

Not. Gonna. Happen.

So, even though I think your leaving spells the end of “American Idol,” Simon, I wish you well.  Perhaps it’s time for this monster to be felled.

And if anyone can do it, it’s you.

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Posted in Humor, Television

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Food fight!

Posted on November 23, 2009 | 1 Comment

On Sundays, I’ve noticed that my friends’ status updates on Facebook are often dedicated to their favorite football teams.

Karen and Jason are all about the Steelers.  Lisa, Andrea and Jennifer often mention the Pats.  My friend Woody — not his real name — bemoans Baltimore’s latest attempt.  And I have several other friends who chat up their fantasy football leagues (but I won’t go there again).

I pictured them in my mind last night, poised in front of their TV sets at home or in a bar, enthralled with the big game…as I too was held spellbound by the head-to-head competition on…

The Next Iron Chef!!!

Isn’t it amazing that me, a woman who doesn’t really cook, and doesn’t really want to learn to cook, loves to watch other people cook in all ways, shapes and forms?  And if that cooking is set up as a competition, all the better.

Cake baking competition?  I’m there.  Thanksgiving dinner cook off?  Set the DVR (and I don’t even like turkey).  The best chefs in New York City going head-to-head?  Sign me up, sister.

Watching professional chefs do their thing — and lose their cool doing it — is awesome.  Their skills are amazing, but it’s even more entertaining to observe them revert into children in the height of the competition.  They cheat.  They cry.  They miss their mommas.

It’s just like professional football, really.  Deep down, they’re all big kids, running around getting paid to play.

But in Iron Chef, the concessions are way better.

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Posted in Foods, Humor, Sports, Television

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