So You Think You Can Dance has a lot of things going for it, primarily its exceptional talent. But its now-permanent judge Mary Murphy makes the show fun thanks to her occasional insanity, and helps to make the show better than American Idol. The Los Angeles Times profiles her, and among the revelations are that… continue reading
Archives for June 2008
Warren Sapp may be on Dancing with the Stars
In a Q&A with Warren Sapp, the recently retired NFL player, the St. Petersburg Times stumbles into some reality TV news: Sapp has been asked to appear on Dancing with The Stars 7. In the interview, he said, “I might do that Dancing With the Stars. … it’s something that sort of came out of… continue reading
Audition cities for American Idol 8 announced, include San Juan, Puerto Rico
Just as soon as it disappears, American Idol lumbers its gigantic ass back into our lives, starting auditions for the show’s eighth season next month. The eight cities–one more than the seven cities it visited last year–include San Juan, the show’s first visit to a non-U.S. state location, and its first non-continental U.S. visit since… continue reading
Bunim-Murray may produce Project Runway 6
Bunim-Murray Productions, the production company best known for The Real World, may replace Magical Elves, the producers of Project Runway, for the fashion design show’s sixth season. Magical Elves’ Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz quit the show in early May in advance of its move to Lifetime, although they’re currently producing the fifth and final… continue reading
Real Housewives expands to Atlanta, New York housewives will all return
As promised, Bravo is adding yet another edition of its Real Housewives franchise, one that will be set in Atlanta. That’s in addition to one that will be set in New Jersey. Seven episodes will “[follow] five glamorous southern belles,” according to Bravo. They are DeShawn Snow, Kim Zolciak, Lisa Wu Hartwell, NeNe Leakes, and… continue reading
David Cook calls Jeff Archuleta “a caring, loving father”
Notorious stage dad and American Idol 7 villain Jeff Archuleta was neither of those things, according to the show’s winner, David Cook. “I’ve never seen Jeff be anything but a caring, loving father, so for me it’s much ado about nothing,” he told People. When the two finalists appeared on The View last Tuesday, Jeff… continue reading
IMG in talks to buy Mark Burnett productions for $250 to $500 million
Mark Burnett Productions–the company responsible for Survivor, The Apprentice, The Contender, and My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad, among other shows–may soon be sold to talent agency IMG for $250-$500 million. Nikki Finke first reported that “Burnett is ‘in very serious conversation’ with IMG chairman Teddy Forstmann,” and that the “deal may be as… continue reading
Blake Lewis dropped by Arista, but he’s working on an LP
American Idol 6 runner-up Blake Lewis has joined the increasing roster of former contestants dropped from their record labels, but he says he’s still working on a second album that he might release himself. His first album, Audio Day Dream, was released seven months ago, which “makes his the shortest of all the relationships forged… continue reading
Live studio audience members wanted for Big Brother 10’s Wednesday episodes
Big Brother 10 is searching for live studio audience members for six live eviction episodes, starting with the show’s very first Wednesday episode. Audiences Unlimited is looking for studio audience members for six Wednesday shows: July 16, 23, and 30, and August 6, 13, and 20. (Tickets are only available right now for July 16,… continue reading
Black Gold debuts on truTV tonight, the next of the Deadliest Catch clones
With Discovery’s Deadliest Catch and History’s Ice Road Truckers, producer Thom Beers has defined a new subgenre of reality TV, one that’s perhaps more real than any other subgenre. Essentially, he just points (HD) cameras at people in their natural contexts and then edits the results into enraging narratives. It’s worked so well that other… continue reading
Reality TV watchers are bigger whores online, research found
People who watch lots of reality TV shows are big whores online, sharing more information about themselves and gathering friends they don’t know, according to a study by two universities. University of Buffalo and University of Hawaii researchers’ study [PDF] found that there’s “a consistent relationship between reality television consumption on the length of time… continue reading
Omarosa leads list of top 10 reality villains
TV Guide has named the top 10 reality TV villains, and it’s led by Omarosa. While some of those in the magazine’s list definitely deserve the honors, I fear that naming them villains just fuels their villainy and makes them think we care all over again, instead of just encouraging them to go away forever…. continue reading
Joey: “I failed to realize that Real World is known for getting bombed all the time”
Real World Hollywood cast member Joey Kovar checked himself into rehab earlier during the season, and although he returned, he decided to leave the house because his roommates’ lack of support. However, executive producer Jim Johnston told the Chicago Sun-Times, “We’re not done with him yet.” In other words, he’ll be back. Joey is the… continue reading
Date with Constantine Maroulis currently being auctioned for $2,000
He may be a self-declared “fucking artist,” but American Idol 4 finalist Constantine Maroulis remains very popular with his fans. (A year or so ago, I literally saw a fan pick up one of his discarded beer bottles and keep it for herself.) Now, Constantine is giving one of his fans a chance to date… continue reading
VH1 casting for Scream Queens competition; winner gets horror movie role
VH1 is currently casting for a fall show called Scream Queens, a competition that will reward its winner with “a ‘breakout role,’ as the ingénue, in a Lionsgate horror film,” VH1 says in its casting notice. There’s an open casting call this weekend in Los Angeles. They want women ages 21 to 30 who “have… continue reading