Today’s the fifth anniversary of the beginning of a new era in primetime network television. At 8 p.m. on May 31, 2000, Survivor debuted, and changed network television as we know it. Of course, Survivor wasn’t the first reality show (PBS’ An American Family, MTV’s The Real World, and MTV’s Road Rules are its great-grandparent …
Although The Contender is not on NBC’s fall schedule, it hasn’t been officially cancelled. According to the New York Times, “An NBC spokeswoman said that while it did not have the show on its fall lineup, the network had not passed on ‘The Contender’ altogether.” Producer Mark Burnett confirmed “that if NBC was not interested, …
Ratings are in from the 2004-2005 television season, and although drama made a resurgence thanks to Desperate Housewives and Lost, reality TV still delivered. Last year, “Half of last season’s top 10 new programs were reality series,” but this year, “No unscripted show cracked the top 10 among new series,” USA TODAY reports. However, along …
The final four Nashville Star 3 contestants, including winner Erika Jo, will start touring the country in mid-June. Currently, 17 cities have been announced–including three performances in Canada. Stops are still being booked, and eventually, “the tour is expected to hit as many as 40 markets,” Billboard reports. Billboard says, “The artists will perform together …
America’s Next Top Model is losing its most critical, entertaining, and well-preserved judge. Janice Dickinson, who will appear on this fall’s Surreal Life 5, is leaving to work on a book and other TV projects. In a press release, executive producer Ken Mok gives some empty, standard replies, saying that the show “wish[es] her well …
The Contender isn’t knocked out yet. Executive producer Mark Burnett, who has previously said that this is “my favorite work of my career,” told reporters after the finale, “I’ve never had such pats on the back as I’ve had for ‘The Contender.’ I’m totally committed to it. If NBC doesn’t want to do it, we’ll …
NBC’s Fear Factor is ditching its single-person format; instead, teams of two–which have been increasingly prevalent on the series–will now compete for the prize. As the AP reports, this “is just one of several changes in a retooling of the gross-out reality show.” Additionally, a new segment on the show called “Home Invasion” will feature …