reality blurred + archives + March 6 to March 12, 2011

week of March 6, 2011

This week: The Real World turns 25 and Russell has a chance at redemption
It's the return of past forward, the feature that likes to go on vacation when I have long, stressful weeks and just can't bother to...
Amazing Race ramps things up with a voice-over penalty, a car accident, cold, and mud
The Amazing Race 18 started to find its groove last night, thanks to a bunch of unexpected things: a delayed flight, a car accident, an...

America's Next Great Restaurant: great idea, quite a mess of a first episode
I was really looking forward to America's Next Great Restaurant, NBC's reality competition that debuted last night. But it was pretty a freaking awful first...
Top Chef judges begged producers for an hour to let them keep the final five
Top Chef All Stars didn't eliminate anyone last week, deciding that all of the final five chefs . It was pretty obvious that would happen...
Celebrity Apprentice brings surreal drama immediately with Cassidy vs. Hatch
I admire the recappers who toil away after an episode airs, recording every detail and moment. But for me, sometimes it's just better to sit...
BB12's Rachel and Brendon are engaged, trying to win "ultimate wedding" contest
The last time we checked in with Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly, he was apologizing for showing his penis via webcam to someone who may...
Last Comic Standing finalist Mike DeStefano died
Comedian and Last Comic Standing 7 finalist Mike DeStefano, who came in fourth on the show, died yesterday. His death marks the second from that...

Nigel Lythgoe calls critics of Idol's pre-taping "morons"; new band leader blames contestants for sound
As American Idol 10 prepares to pre-tape its first performance episode of the finals today, executive producer and band leader have responded to criticism over...
Celebrity Rehab star Mike Starr died
Mike Starr, the original bassist for Alice in Chains and a cast member on the third season of Celebrity Rehab, has died at age 44....

Mel and Mike beat Jaime and Cara to the pit stop despite being medically removed
On Sunday's The Amazing Race, the father-son team of Mel and Mike White were eliminated after being removed from the competition during the Detour challenge...
The Real World turns 25 tonight, an unapologetic, drunken shadow of its former self
The Real World has been on the air for 19 years, but it turns 25 tonight with the debut of The Real World Las Vegas,...
Jeff Probst returning for Survivor's 23rd and 24th seasons
CBS has officially renewed Survivor for its 23rd and 24th seasons, and Jeff Probst will return as its host and executive producer. The renewal isn't...

Dustin Zito's Fratpad gay porn past revealed on first episode of The Real World
Update: Dustin Zito discusses his lying and homophobic comments, and the reaction of the cast to learning about his past, and Fratpad producer explains why...
Russell Hantz cries and whines his way out of Survivor
And it is done: Russell Hantz is out of Survivor--forever, he says. After three seasons with nothing but Russell all the time, I don't even...
Jeff Probst says Russell Hantz will probably return to Survivor
Russell Hantz has finally been voted out of Survivor, and although he promised, "This is my last time playing this game; that's it," Russell's biggest...
Russell Hantz wants to sue his tribemates over contract violations (oh, the irony)
Russell Hantz's elimination from Survivor Redemption Island has left him so mad that he's threatening to sue his fellow contestants for violating the very contract...

Casey Abrams hospitalized again; wild card who got no votes last week goes home
Casey Abrams missed the American Idol 10 results show last night because he was hospitalized again, but he received enough voted to remain in the...
Richard Hatch gets 9 months in prison, will miss Celebrity Apprentice finale
Richard Hatch was sentenced to nine months in prison today, after being convicted of probation violation in January. The AP reports that the judge gave...

Finalists sang live during Idol's group number, producer insists; video suggests otherwise
One of the more unintentionally entertaining parts of Thursday's American Idol results show was the group number. Despite being choreographed by So You Think You...