The tradition of reality series borrowing their formats from successful scripted series continues with twentyfourseven, an upcoming MTV show that models itself after HBO’s Entourage. The series will debut late this year and “follows a group of friends involved with a number of different creative ventures as they try to make their mark in Hollywood,”… continue reading
Archives for April 2006
Randy Jackson signs for three more years
Randy Jackson has signed with FOX for three more years of American Idol, thus assuring that the dysfunctional family will remain intact, as long as one of them doesn’t enter rehab. Variety calls Randy’s deal a “[m]ultimillion-dollar pact,” but doesn’t specify beyond that. Paula Abdul signed a contract for three more years this March. But… continue reading
Ivana Young Man finally airs this weekend
Ivana Trump’s reality special finally airs on Oxygen this weekend, debuting Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. On the show, Ivana helps a middle-aged woman select from “six hunks” The show was originally commissioned by FOX, which later decided not to air it last August. But Oxygen picked up the two-hour special. Ivana makes decisions in… continue reading
Ford signs Kelly Clarkson, plans its own “dream car” reality show
Ford is extending its involvement in the reality TV business, in addition to its sponsorship of American Idol. First, the car manufacturer is changing its tagline (to “Bold Moves”) and has signed American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson to help pitch it. The Detroit News reports that the selection “drew praise from dealers and analysts” because… continue reading
Fox Reality plans porn star show
The Fox Reality Channel will this fall air a three-hour, three-episode series that follows four porn stars as they learn to act. My Bare Lady “will follow a group of U.S. porn stars as they travel to London and attempt to carve out acting careers on the West End stage,” according to the Hollywood Reporter…. continue reading
Judges apologize to Katharine and Kellie Pickler says goodbye
Although a record number of votes were cast last night–“over 47 and a half million … the highest non-finale vote since Idol began,” Ryan Seacrest said–not enough went to Kellie Pickler, who went home. She was joined in the bottom two by Paris Bennett; it was the first time at the bottom for both. Chris… continue reading
Bruce says it took eight hours for him to get medical care on Survivor
Bruce’s medical problem on last week’s episode of Survivor Panama was eventually treated, but it took eight hours for him to get medical care. First, Bruce tells TV Guide, the camera crew was more interested in Shane and Courtney’s bitching about not being selected for the reward challenge, so that “[b]y the time the camera… continue reading
Jeremy bottoms and Fran and Barry sleep with a group on The Amazing Race 9
In its eight episode, The Amazing Race 9 returned to the homoeroticism that has become this season’s version of the hypocritical religiosity that was pervasive during the family edition last season. In addition, the teams were back to old form, delivering an entertaining leg of the race. Highlights from it: “We’re stopping to drop off… continue reading
Ryan, Paula deny they’re fighting
The drama between Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul is basically nonexistent, the two are now saying. Earlier this week, Ryan told People magazine that he was no longer talking to Paula. But Ryan now tells Us Weekly that his comment to People “was said in jest. We are a dysfunctional family. There is no feud…. continue reading
Ashley Parker Angel “almost completely cut off [his] finger” on Celebrity Cooking Showdown
Attention C-list celebrities who want to increase your stock by appearing on a cheesy reality TV show: participation may ruin your career, and not just because of the stupid things you say to the confessional camera. Here’s an example: While participating in NBC’s Celebrity Cooking Showdown, which was pulled for its final two nights because… continue reading
Paula Abdul bursts into tears after Elliot Yamin sings and just generally acts crazy
It was another night of non-performance-related drama on American Idol 5. While there were no jokes about drunken judges, there was a random emotional outburst from one of the judges, so draw your own conclusions. After Elliot Yamin performed, Randy Jackson gave feedback, and then it was Paula’s turn. A close-up shot revealed that her… continue reading
American Dreamz tanks, opening in ninth place
The movie that pretends to parody American Idol crashed and burned at the box office this past weekend. According to final numbers, American Dreamz brought in just $3,667,420, an average of $2,444 on each of 1,500 screens, according to Box Office Mojo. In international theatres, it earned $1,203,140, for a total of $4,870,560. The film’s… continue reading
Project Runway 3 will debut this summer; final three may show at fall Fashion Week
Breaking tradition, the third season of Project Runway is scheduled to debut this summer, reality blurred has confirmed with Bravo. With the early start, that means the final three will probably show their collections at Olympus Fashion Week this fall, not next spring. The previous two seasons have debuted in December, concluding shortly after Fashion… continue reading
Ryan Seacrest says he no longer speaks to Paula Abdul
Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul have an “awkward” relationship, the American Idol host says. In fact, as he tells People, he is no longer speaking to her. “I don’t know what the deal is. It’s very awkward,” he said. Let’s see, maybe it has something to do with the fact that you’ve repeatedly accused her… continue reading
Idol adding an extra phone number for each contestant
On tonight’s American Idol 5 performance show, each contestant will be assigned not one but two phone numbers. That’s “[t]o reduce busy signals,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, citing a phone press conference with Ken Warwick. The show did the same thing last year but only after a series of screw-ups. Warwick also announced that an… continue reading
PBS announces Texas Ranch House cast, promotes show with MooTube
PBS’ next historical reality series debuts next Monday at 8, airing two hour episodes for four nights. The show’s site now includes profiles of the 15 participants, who are divided by their living quarters: the bunkhouse and the ranch house. Although the show’s six cowboys make a Brokeback Mountain comparisons inevitable, none of the cast… continue reading
Japan won’t have its own version of The Apprentice because of its “distinctive form of capitalism”
There’s a separate, localized UK version of The Apprentice, but there won’t be a similar such version in Japan. That’s because Fremantle Media, which distributes the show and its format worldwide, was unable to sell it there, even though they tried for a year, and even though the show’s catchphrase would have been “Off with… continue reading
The Amazing Race 9: the lost episode
A few weeks ago, I accidentally deleted my notes for the fourth episode of The Amazing Race 9. I was so annoyed with myself that I took away my Bristle Block privileges for the rest of the week. Last night, however, something miraculous happened: My notes from the episode appeared. Especially since I’ve sort of… continue reading
Apprentice still gets $1-2 million for product placement despite 41 percent slip in 18-49
Despite slipping ratings, The Apprentice “can still command $1 million to $2 million from advertisers for integration,” Advertising Age reports. The show “has lost 41% of its 18-to-49-year-old audience compared to” the third season, which aired last spring. And the show has lost revenue: $87 million were spent on ads last season, while $190 million… continue reading
American Idol’s ratings are dropping week to week, and from the performance to the results show
American Idol 5 may run over, stop, go into reverse, and run over again any show that dares step into its path, and its two episodes still may be the most popular two shows on TV each week, but it’s been losing viewers recently. Since the top 12 show, MJ’s Big Blog discovered, the show… continue reading