2001: the year in reality TV.The year in reality TV began with the announcement of Survivor 2‘s cast and closed with the death of one of reality TV’s first stars. Although it started with four shows premiering in one week, the year saw many critics and commentators writing the genre off for good. Reality television… continue reading
Archives for December 2001
An American Family’s Lance Loud dies; came out during 1973 show.
An American Family’s Lance Loud dies; came out during 1973 show. One of the stars of the first dramatic, episodic, soap-opera like reality TV show died last Saturday. In 1973, 12 episodes of PBS’ An American Family followed the Loud family over a period of seven months. During the show, Lance’s parents separated, and Lance… continue reading
eight seasons of Road Rules syndicated in 2002; may replace Real World.
eight seasons of Road Rules syndicated in 2002; may replace Real World. Road Rules will soon appear on channels other than MTV in 60 percent of the United States. Next September, sources report, the first eight seasons of the rarely repeated show will begin airing on various stations at various times. Variety reports that the… continue reading
Project Greenlight director does not “want to be a boy band creation.”
Project Greenlight director does not “want to be a boy band creation.” The winner of Project Greenlight, director Pete Jones, tells Entertainment Weekly that having the documentary air now “is kind of like putting the horse behind the cart. I just want to be a good writer/director. I hope that the movie stands up by… continue reading
Entertainment Weekly selects “most memorable” reality TV stars of 2001.
Entertainment Weekly selects “most memorable” reality TV stars of 2001. As part of its year-end issue, Entertainment Weekly has named its selections for “reality TV’s most memorable folk” in 2001. They include Love Cruise‘s Toni, who “[c]ontains more silicone than all of Temptation Island“; Chains of Love‘s silent Locksmith, for his “[a]bility to get paycheck… continue reading
Frank voted out with one vote from his friend Teresa.
Frank voted out–with one vote from his friend Teresa. After failing to establish a new alliance along with Kim J., Teresa voted against her only remaining alliance member, Frank, who became the 10th person voted off of Survivor 2 and the third member of the jury. + plus: Survivor Africa’s two-hour finale and one-hour reunion… continue reading
new show will make couples live on minimum wage for a month.
new show will make couples live on minimum wage for a month. A Japanese show that finds “two middle-class couples” living on minimum wage for an entire month is being developed for production in the U.S. Aptly called Minimum Wage, the show will award a cash prize to “whoever saves the most money at the… continue reading
BBC planning simplified version of Murder in Small Town X.
BBC planning simplified version of Murder in Small Town X. The producer of the first two UK Big Brothers is attempting to bring a version of Murder in Small Town X to Britain, but he will “radically [rework]”‘ the show. A full series will not be produced until after he produces a successful pilot; if… continue reading
Popstars 2 video debuts tonight.
Popstars 2 video debuts tonight. Scene 23 will debut their first video tonight during Popstars 2 at 8 p.m. ET on The WB. The video is, of course, for their first single, “I Really Don’t Think So.”
is Mark Burnett hiding an alliance between Ethan and Kim J.?
is Mark Burnett hiding an alliance between Ethan and Kim J.? Citing Mark Burnett’s editing of Survivor 2, which basically hid the rather significant friendship and alliance between Colby and Tina, PopPolitics.com’s Chris Wright argues that the same thing may be happening in Survivor Africa with Ethan and Kim J. Among the evidence he cites:… continue reading
France’s Star Academy criticized for its “sexist and homophobic situations.”
France’s Star Academy criticized for its “sexist and homophobic situations.” France’s somewhat low-rated Star Academy, a Popstars-esque show, has been criticized by French organization SOS Homophobie. Journalist Loic Prigent e.mails his translation of the statement, in which the organization charges the show includes “sexist and homophobic situations,” and cites one episode where “the show got… continue reading
Project Greenlight “gives in to…the studio system.”
Project Greenlight “gives in to…the studio system.” Writing in Slate, Stephen Metcalf looks at Project Greenlight‘s choice of film and finalist, and says that “instead of courting the wild intangibles that make for great film, the Project Greenlight committee gives in to the same weakness for showboating smoothies, the same inanity of overcaution as its… continue reading
Brandon says Big Tom is “a really funny guy” and “good-hearted.”
Brandon says Big Tom is “a really funny guy” and “good-hearted.” Although Brandon is convinced Big Tom Buchanan voted him out of the tribe on Survivor Africa because of Brandon’s sexual orientation, and although he thinks Tom is homophobic, Brandon says Tom is “a really funny guy” who’s “good-hearted” and “likeable.” Brandon says Tom, who… continue reading
NBC plans start of centerfold Fear Factor for Super Bowl halftime.
NBC plans start of centerfold Fear Factor for Super Bowl halftime. In an attempt to get people to switch over from FOX, the network broadcasting the Super Bowl this year, NBC will begin a special Playmate edition of Fear Factor during halftime. The show will pause for the second half, and then resume once the… continue reading
new French reality TV
new French reality TV show will watch authors write a book together. After France’s hit Loft Story, more reality TV is heading to the country’s airwaves. In the works for an educational network is a show which will follow “a quartet of authors [who] will write a collective novel under the camera’s gaze,” according to… continue reading
former Real World cast members want “more money and better contracts.”
former Real World cast members want “more money and better contracts.” Roughly half of the 70 former cast members of The Real World have hired a lawyer in order to help them renegotiate their lifetime contracts. Among the issues are “whether performers on reality-based shows are entitled to the same rights given to unionized actors”… continue reading
eliminated Pop Idol contestant Korben blames being outed for dismissal.
eliminated Pop Idol contestant Korben blames being outed for dismissal. The first of nine Pop Idol finalists to be eliminated by a vote from the audience, 21-year-old Korben, says, “I didn’t declare my sexuality–it was only after it had been publicly outed that everybody knew.” Without the revelation last week that he participated in Channel… continue reading
South African network talking to Endemol about religious Big Brother.
South African network talking to Endemol about religious Big Brother. Christian Network Television is discussing producing a version of Endemol’s Big Brother that “would feature 12 housemates from different religious backgrounds who would live in the Randburg Big Brother house for 10 days,” according to the Sunday Times. If produced, the show will feature no… continue reading
Frank and Margarita are still together, Joe and Bill point to editing.
Frank and Margarita are still together, Joe and Bill point to editing. Zap2it.com talks to the final three couples on The Amazing Race about their experiences during the 32 days of the show, and the aftermath. Also, Frank and Margarita remain together, Frank “did make friends with” Rob and Brennan after “talk[ing] trash” about them,… continue reading
Rob & Brennan win The Amazing Race.
Rob & Brennan win The Amazing Race. The first season concluded with a finish that was slight more sad than nail-biting. Separated parents Frank and Margarita were on a train headed toward the finish line, convinced and ecstatic that they were ahead of Rob and Brennan. However, the pair of lawyers were on the train… continue reading