reality blurred + archives + January 21 to January 27, 2007

Monday, Jan. 22, 2007

Psychologist on Idol criticism: "Telling your kid they're great can create more vulnerability"
In a surprisingly humorous attempt to treat American Idol with the seriousness that we expect from a weekly newsmagazine, Newsweek talks to a psychology professor...
Marcel injured, scarred after a Top Chef viewer hit him in the face with a bottle
Villains are a necessary part of reality shows, because strong narratives need antagonists. But Marcel Vigneron, the supposed villain on Top Chef 2 is rapidly...
Men "don't feel as awkward" dancing thanks to Emmitt Smith
Dancing with the Stars 3 winner Emmitt Smith has had an effect on men everywhere: His extreme masculinity has allowed them to embrace the previously...
Some interview videos deleted as Paula insists she's "not under the influence of anything"
On Saturday, Paula Abdul defended her recent behavior to TV critics. "I've never been drunk. I'm not under the influence of anything. The first five...
FOX may air more than 45 hours of American Idol 6
FOX and the producers of American Idol 6 are considering increasing the length of the show, or at least the amount of hours the show...

Pirate Master may be the name of CBS' pirate series, which films in March
CBS' mysterious pirate-themed reality show may have a name other than "CBS' Pirates Project," which is how it was known in the casting application. The...
J.P. Calderon will come out as gay on Janice Dickinson's show Wednesday
J.P. Calderon, the Survivor Cook Islands cast member who was rumored to be dating fellow cast member Brad, will come out on Oxygen's The Janice...
Jen and Lorenzo officially break up; Bachelor host confirms Sadie's with Lorenzo in NYC
Almost two months after reports surfaced that the love forged on The Bachelor 9 hadn't lasted, Lorenzo Borghese and Jennifer Wilson have officially announced their...

Justin Guarini will co-host TV Guide Channel's American Idol pre-show
The TV Guide Channel has renewed its American Idol pre-show, Idol Tonight, but it's bringing on a new co-host. Joining season three's Kimberly Caldwell and...
Last Comic Standing 5 will cast in Canada, Australia, and England
NBC has announced open casting calls for Last Comic Standing 5, and the locations include three cities outside of the United States. The show will...
Work Out trainer Doug Blasdell dies, was undergoing chemo for a brain tumor
Doug Blasdell, one of the trainers on Bravo's Work Out, died Monday. He "was suddenly hospitalized over this weekend and died unexpectedly" on Jan. 22,...
Report: Top Chef 2's Ilan Hall quit his job; Sam says editors "showed me attacking [Marcel] without cause"
Top Chef 2 finalist Ilan Hall quit his job as a chef, according to a blog report. Snack reports that he "has left Casa Mono,...
Chris Daughtry's record is number one
Chris Daughtry's album is number one on the Billboard 200 chart, although just barely. His album, Daughtry, edged out the Dreamgirls soundtrack by "about 130...

Oxygen orders Rodeo Girls, Monique's F.A.T. Chance, Fight Girls, and Adfight; Fox Reality renews Solitary
Joining The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency on Oxygen will be four new reality series, although two of the shows aren't entirely new to the network....
Rolling Stone cast member Krishtine: "Fucking MTV. They are my creator and my destroyer."
I'm From Rolling Stone cast member Krishtine de Leon posted a long blog entry Tuesday responding to criticism. She starts by writing, "As a journalist,...
Reality TV shows spent 8,397 days filming in L.A., 40 percent of all TV production
Last year, "the number of days spent shooting reality TV episodes in Los Angeles soared 53%," the Los Angles Times reports. Reality shows were "about...
Kelly Clarkson says she's working with NASCAR for free because "I have enough money"
International superstar and original American Idol Kelly Clarkson will make appearances for NASCAR and its foundation this racing season, but she'll do so for free....
Idol viewers drop in week two but are up four percent from last year
In its second week, American Idol 6 lost viewers from its first week, but the show is still doing better than last year. On Tuesday,...

Alexandra Pelosi's Friends of God documentary now airing on HBO
HBO debuted Friends of God: A Road Trip with Alexandra Pelosi last night, and the documentary airs frequently this weekend on HBO's channels and is...
BET airing One Night Only, a series following drama students in post-Katrina New Orleans
BET's new reality series One Night Only debuted this week, and repeats Saturday at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. ET, and Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., with...
Ian Bernardo says he has a #4 Billboard record; contract says "we are going to hurt your feelings"
One of the contracts that American Idol contestants sign says that the show will do its best to exploit any weaknesses it finds within them,...
BBC turning Harry Potter into a reality series, sending kids to magic school
The BBC is creating a reality TV version of Harry Potter that will be called The Sorcerer's Apprentice. The "Hogwarts-style magic school [will] ... coach...