reality blurred + archives + May 2 to May 8, 2010

week of May 2, 2010

This week: The prostitution whore! returns, as does Joan Rivers
Here's our weekly look back at last week's reality TV news, and look ahead at next week, the first week of May 2010. The Past...

Dan and Jordan, Brent and Caite freak out, but still make final three with the cowboys
After 11 The Amazing Race 16 episodes, I'm really sick of the cowboys pointing out how everything in the freakin' world is so new to...
Paula Abdul has "unrealistic," "pricey demands" for X Factor, Star Search
Paula Abdul's potential future as a judge on Simon Cowell's relaunch of The X Factor is being held up by her contractual demands, which a...
Producer "really mad" at Idol finalists' song choice; Harry Connick, Jr., will mentor, arrange
On Tuesday's American Idol performance episode, the finalists will perform Frank Sinatra songs and be mentored by Harry Connick, Jr., who Fox says "will be...
CBS has sent set visit invites for Survivor Nicaragua to the media, but not to me
CBS publicity has sent invites to members of the press for visits to the set of Survivor Nicaragua, the show's 21st season. The location in...

Deadliest Catch stars play villains during superhero kid's Make a Wish day
A 13-year-old with liver cancer had his wish come true Thursday in Seattle with the help of hundreds of people, including Deadliest Catch cast members....
Sunshine explores "the changing definitions of family" as filmmaker reunites with birth mother
Tonight at 10 p.m. ET, Independent Lens has the broadcast debut of a documentary, Sunshine, that explores "the changing definitions of family" "just in time...
American Idol ratings down, has disregard for viewers, but who cares: it'll make money
American Idol's ratings and buzz are down significantly, but it's making money and may do better next year thanks to the economy, and that's pretty...
Tom Colicchio wins James Beard outstanding chef award, is now actually the top chef
Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio received the James Beard outstanding chef award after being a finalist seven times in eight years, so he's now...
Bret Michaels will "make a 100 percent recovery," might attend Apprentice finale
Bret Michaels is out of the hospital and will recover from the brain hemorrhage that left him in critical condition more than a week ago....

Frank Sinatra's songs, Harry Connick, Jr.'s band hamper already-weak final five Idols
Having Harry Connick, Jr., work with the final five and arranging the contestants' versions of Frank Sinatra songs was inspired: He's hilarious ("you think Shania...
Fresh Meat II Challenge spoiled; Real World's Danny Jamieson, Melinda Stolp may have split
The Real World Austin's Danny Jamieson and Melinda Stolp married two years ago, but may now be split up. The good people at Crushable are...
Kelly Clarkson tops all American Idols in sales and radio play; all-time top 24 ranked
Billboard has ranked the top 24 American Idol contestants based on their sales of albums, singles, and radio play, and the first winner remains on...
Top Chef Masters' Jody Adams hadn't watched Top Chef but found it "exhilarating and scary"
One of the Top Chef Masters 2 finalists, Rialto's Jody Adams, made it to the champions' round--which starts tonight--after winning the quickfire last week, but...

Aaron Kelly leaves American Idol just in time to avoid awful movie songs
"You guys don't love Wednesdays," Ryan Seacrest pointed out to the contestants during last night's results shows. Although they dislike Wednesdays because one of them...
Survivor's Paschal English resigns as judge, investigated over relationship with lawyer
Survivor Marquesas cast member Paschal English has resigned as chief superior court judge, and is now being investigated over a possible relationship with a public...
Survivor Heroes vs. Villains spoiler boot list: accurate so far
Last fall, well after production wrapped on Survivor Heroes vs. Villains, a boot list was posted online, appearing on Survivor Sucks in mid-October. It accurately...
Babies will be in theaters everywhere tomorrow
Last fall, I was entranced by a trailer for a forthcoming documentary, Babies, and that film will be in theaters tomorrow. In the Focus Features...
Kendra may have tried to sell sex tape she's now trying to block
Former Girl Next Door and Hugh Hefner girlfriend Kendra Wilkinson, who currently stars in her own E! series Kendra, may have tried to sell the...

Deadliest Catch product manager charged with selling, using cocaine
A 22-year-old production manager who works on Deadliest Catch and is employed by Original Productions "was charged April 27 with using and selling cocaine after...
American Idol has its lowest ratings since 2002
Instead of picking up in its final weeks, American Idol 9's ratings continue to decline, reaching lows not seen since the show's first season seven...
TAR's Louie: "I'm confident I'll be cleared" in cocaine investigation; Mike: "we flashed our badges" to get help
In March, The Amazing Race 16 contestant Louie Stravato was linked to a cop cocaine ring and put on desk duty, and he remains there...
Candice, Danielle sent to the jury after Russell gets fooled by "dangly" thing in Rupert's pants
For some time now, Survivor has minimized the survival part of the game in exchange for strategy, and that's mostly been okay. The relatively recent...
Next week: Family members visit remaining Survivors, The Simpsons show up on Top Chef
Last week, I lost a body part. That pretty much sums it up the week for me, but here's what it looked like in reality...
American Idol survey asks about keeping Ellen, Paula's return, mentors, theme weeks, more
A comprehensive survey about American Idol that's linked from the show's web site asks respondents about everything from whether Ellen DeGeneres should return next year...