reality blurred + archives + April 16 to April 22, 2006

week of April 16, 2006

Unan1mous, American Inventor both losing large numbers of viewers
Two new reality series that started strong have lost significant numbers of viewers as the weeks pass. FOX's Unan1mous, which has the cushy post-American Idol...
NBC's Celebrity Cooking Showdown starts tonight, bumping The Apprentice 5 off the schedule
Nine celebrities pair off with three celebrity chefs this week on NBC's Celebrity Cooking Showdown, which debuts tonight at 9 p.m. ET. Perhaps the biggest...
Kathy Griffin, Garry Marshall, Tim Meadows will guest judge Last Comic Standing 4
NBC has revealed the celebrity judges for Last Comic Standing 4, and at least one is no stranger to reality television. Kathy Griffin will judge...
Real World Denver cast reportedly includes two gay people; house photographed
The cast of The Real World Denver includes a gay man and a lesbian, according to Rocky Mountain News columnist Penny Parker. She also reports...

In Touch corrects the record about reality blurred's April Fool's Day Ty Pennington story
Yesterday, an alert reader pointed me to this week's issue of In Touch magazine, which has a fascinating item on page 69. The celebrity gossip...
American Idol 5 finale ad will cost $1.3 million
American Idol 5 has the most expensive final episode this season. A 30-second ad on the finale will cost $1.3 million, Advertising Age reports. That's...
CBS challenges FCC ruling about Twila saying "bullshitter" on The Early Show
Last month's shocking and appalling decision by the FCC to fine broadcasters over content is being challenged in court by the networks. The four major...

7-Eleven selling Apprentice-featured P'EatZZa Sandwich(TM) for $3.69
7-Eleven issued a press release yesterday to announce that it had officially begun selling the product it placed on last week's (second) episode of The...
Lake apologized to Michelle for his behavior
After watching last week's episode of The Amazing Race 9, Lake Garner did something surprising: Instead of bitching about his portrayal, he apologized to his...
Dancing with the Stars 3 offers a maximum salary of $245,000 to a celebrity
Ever wonder why Dancing with the Stars isn't able to draw A- or even B-list celebrities? Perhaps it's because of the pay. Yesterday on his...
NBC bribing viewers to watch The Apprentice 5; viewer votes may "slightly" change the show
Sliding ratings for The Apprentice 5 have led the network to take drastic measures: "NBC is offering money to people to watch the show," the...
Record labels desperate for an appearance on Idol, which is "giving something back" with artist visits
American Idol has become "a coveted booking for established artists looking to return to the mainstream or maintain their public appeal," the New York Times...

The Amazing Race 9 visits the Middle East and has a double-surprise ending
Because of my increasing disillusionment with the show, I decided to watch last night's episode of The Amazing Race like I used to: no laptop....
Bo Bice reportedly tries to punch the Giants' Glenn Parker
American Idol 4 runner-up Bo Bice allegedly tried to punch a former football player at a New York City bar on Sunday. Page Six reports...
Ace goes home after American Idol's asshole producers torture the finalists
On last night's results show, American Idol 5 ramped up its cruelty about 100 notches. If this show ever goes off the air, the sadistic...
Fashion is now Parson's largest major because of Project Runway
The lingering camera shots of the Parsons School of Design on Project Runway, never mind the presence of reality TV icon Tim Gunn, has had...

Tommy Lee wants Rock Star 2 singer to be "any gender, any size," but "a little dangerous, a little scary"
Tommy Lee has spelled out his criteria for the lead singer that will be selected during Rock Star 2. He tells MTV.com that the person...
Flavor of Love 2 women's "screen test" videos released
VH1 is starting to hype Flavor of Love 2 already. Applications were due earlier this month, and now the network has posted "screen test" videos...
American Dreamz is in theatres today
A new film opening today tries to satire both the American Idol phenomenon and our current political climate. American Dreamz stars Hugh Grant (as the...
Ashley Parker Angel's "Let U Go" has Billboard's highest debut this week
There and Back has paid off for former O-Town member Ashley Parker Angel. The first track off his solo album was Billboard's highest selling new...
Taylor's selection of the "safe" group was scripted by American Idol's producer
On Wednesday's American Idol 5 elimination episode, Ryan Seacrest told Taylor Hicks to join the group he thought would be safe. Taylor pretended to join...