reality blurred + archives + August 8 to August 14, 2010

week of August 8, 2010

Ken Burns unintentionally explains the appeal of reality TV
One of my favorite parts about press tour is attending sessions with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and just listening to him talk in incredible paragraphs...
Jersey Shore cast, snookin' with critics, introduces Deena, announces a Snooktionary
MTV introduced the cast of Jersey Shore to TV critics Friday in L.A., including a friend of Snooki, Deena Nicole Cortese, who is joining the...

Gosselins camping with Sarah Palin on her TLC show
When TLC showed footage of Sarah Palin's Alaska to ad buyers and others in April, they laughed, and not in the good way. So it...
The moment arrives at which I can no longer stand any of the Big Brother 12 houseguests
On Big Brother 12, new HOH Matt took the "coveted" "diamond power of veto" which gave Ragan the chance to be the saboteur, and gave...
Survivor Nicaragua's cast of overwhelmingly white fogies, kids officially announced
CBS officially announced the cast of Survivor Nicaragua today, a bit earlier than usual, perhaps because the cast members' names have been public for some...
Jeff Probst on Russell vs. Rob: "I would love it"
In a recent interview, Jeff Probst denied there are concrete plans for future all-star seasons, but his careful language and enthusiasm for the rumored format...
Levi Johnston running for mayor of Wasilla as part of his own reality show
After appearing on a rather entertaining episode of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, never mind appearing naked in Playgirl, Levi Johnston will run...
Survivor introduces "Medallion of Power" (really) and makes immunity idols more hidden
Besides dividing its tribes by age, Survivor Nicaragua is introducing another twist that sounds decidedly like something Big Brother would do: the Medallion of Power,...

Felipe Esparza wins Last Comic Standing 7
Last Comic Standing 7 ended last night, and Felipe Esparza won the $250,000 prize and an NBC talent deal. Asked how he felt, he said...
Shark Tank renewed, keeps all sharks but adds Jeff Foxworthy
Shark Tank, one of my favorite shows from last fall has been renewed. Eight episodes have been ordered, and it will return in 2011, according...
"Heartbroken" Fantasia hospitalized after overdosing on aspirin, sleep aid
American Idol 3 winner Fantasia Barrino is in stable condition and will soon be released from the hospital after overdosing on aspirin and sleeping pills...
Kara DioGuardi hasn't heard from Idol producers
Kara DioGuardi hasn't talked to American Idol producers about her job, and learned of rumors of her firing online at the same time we did....

YouTube doesn't have talent based on AGT's momentum-killing episode
America's Got Talent 5 aired a special YouTube-themed episode last night that essentially took the show back to the audition rounds, which was not a...
Nigel Lythgoe may undo some of SYTYCD's changes; Mary Murphy is still MIA
So You Think You Can Dance's seventh, Mary Murphy-less season starts its conclusion tonight, and after getting a makeover that led to fewer viewers every...
Jennifer Lopez out as new Idol judge because "her demands got out of hand," report says
Jennifer Lopez, who was reportedly being added as a new judge for American Idol 10, may not be joining the show after all, as a...
Hilarious fake Twitter Chris Harrison confuses former Bachelor
A hilarious Twitter spoof of The Bachelor host Chris Harrison has confused former bachelor Jake Pavelka. Tonight, Jake asked the real Chris Harrison "is that...

Top Chef's pea-brained Alex survives cheating accusations again, leading to Kenny's exit
For the second time on this season of Top Chef, Alex Reznik was cast as a cheating, thieving, bumbling twit, and after because of that,...
Work of Art ends its excellent but too-short first season with Abdi's inevitable win
My new favorite Bravo competition series, Work of Art, ended its first season last night as Abdi Farah won the $100,000 prize and a show...
My "bashing of Russell Hantz" blamed for getting my Survivor access cut off
I don't frequent Survivor message boards like Survivor Sucks, in part because I'm spoiler averse, but read them occasionally when someone sends me a link...

Door hits Rachel in the Brendon on the way out of the Big Brother house
Why did no one warn me that Wednesday's episode of Big Brother 12 was the single most excruciating thing on TV this year? The problem...
Lauren wins So You Think You Dance as Ellen dances and Mary Murphy finally returns
Lauren Froderman, an 18-year-old contemporary dancer, won So You Think You Can Dance and the $250,000 prize, plus the "favorite dancer" title, during the show's...
Work of Art casting for season two after finale gets season-high ratings; Abdi's show opens
Bravo's terrific Work of Art: The Next Great Artist is casting for a second season following the conclusion of its first season, which saw Abdi...