So what’s up around the dial where reality TV is concerned? Let’s take a look…
I’m not proud about this, but I’ll admit that when watching THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA I fast forward through everything that doesn’t involve human train wrecks Kim and NeNe. Come to think of it, I’m not proud that I watch that show, period.
Having trouble sleeping at night? Tune into BIG BROTHER AFTER DARK over on Showtime Two. I switched it on last night and about 10 minutes later kicked myself, asking, “Am I really sitting here watching Jesse scrub dishes and make a sandwich?” The thrice-weekly episodes are painful enough. I sure as heck don’t need to put myself through the live stuff. So far this season, Jordan is my favorite houseguest. I kinda love that she’s dumb as a brick. She and Jeff seem pretty compatible in that regard, wouldn’t you say? Russell has grown on me, but Chima… there’s just something about her that skeeves me out. At least the wildly annoying Ronnie is finally gone. Lord, that boy worked my nerves…
A personal note to Nigel Lythgoe and any other producer out there thinking of hiring Paula Abdul: Please know that you will be doing so at the risk of your credibility. One of the things that has always set SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE apart from IDOL is the fact that the judges offer valid critiques as opposed to the insipid “Well, you look real pretty” remarks that Paula tries to pass off as valid. Yes, it might be interesting to see the former choreographer compete on DANCING WITH THE STARS (although given her history of back problems, I can’t help but think she would prove a sub-par performer), but for the most part, execs need to realize her value to them is mostly as a ratings-grabbing ploy. Then again, Lythgoe proved he’s not above that with the whole Katie Holmes performance this season, sold — not blatantly, but definitely intentionally — as a “live” gig, even going so far as to film it in such a manner as to try and trick viewers into thinking it had been done in front of the studio audience when it obviously wasn’t. These kind of stunts only serve to take away from the credibility of a show that, for the most part, proves itself to have far more integrity than most reality offerings (right down to acknowledging that they are searching for America’s “favorite” dancer as opposed to “best”) currently airing.
The current season of MTV’s THE REAL WORLD may have less to do with the real world than any in its history… and that’s including the Las Vegas-based Stephen and “Trashelle” season. And unless I miss my guess, someone needs to tell sex-starved Jasmine that the reason she ain’t getting any from Patrick is that he bats for the other team…
