Survivor debuted 15 years ago today, and has aired exactly 30 seasons since then. Five years ago, on its 10th anniversary, I looked at the show’s impact. Today, in honor of its 15th anniversary, a celebration of 15 things I love about the show. That amazing theme song The stunning locations Survivor has… continue reading
Archives for May 2015
Today, 10 years of Gordon Ramsay screaming on Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s first Fox show, debuted 10 years ago today, on May 30, 2005. It’s now in its 14th season and has aired more than 200 episodes, and outlived Ramsay’s other show, Kitchen Nightmares, which ended last year but premiered two years after the red team and blue team first faced off in… continue reading
Hoarders live was gross, and not because of the trash
Hoarders has often been accused of sensationalizing and/or exploiting its subjects and their mental illness. I think the opposite is true, and I’ve long championed it and defended it, writing about it extensively, because it was strong reality television and an important series. In the six seasons that aired on A&E before it was cancelled,… continue reading
Duggar response from Funny or Die is way too close to reality
There’s a new Funny or Die video with actors playing Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar who respond to the scandal related to their son’s molestation of his sisters. Although the impressions of the Duggars are on-point, and though there are some funny lines at the start and finish, the whole video didn’t strike me as… continue reading
Bullseye is fun, but it’s really Fear Factor light
Let’s not pretend: Fox’s Bullseye is Fear Factor. It looks like Fear Factor, with the same southern California desert locations. It has the same prize, $50,000. It has the same episodic structure, with people being eliminated after each of three challenges. It has the same explosions signaling the successful completion of the big challenge. This… continue reading
In its 10th year, America’s Got Talent has its best start ever
America’s Got Talent started its 10th season last night, and in its first four hours, had what I think is its strongest, most watchable start yet. From its judges’ chemistry–Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Mel B work exceptionally well together–to its truly strong acts, the show is off to a good start. And… continue reading
Amy Schumer said yes to starring on The Bachelorette. Let this be real
On Tuesday, ABC’s senior vice president for alternative programming, Rob Mills, invited comedian Amy Schumer to be the next The Bachelorette. She accepted. Seriously, just look: . @Millsy11374 Here I come!! #bachelorette pic.twitter.com/tgA1Pzm4oL — Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) May 26, 2015 Okay, yes, she answered with a funny photo, and yes, this may all just be… continue reading
A review of CBS’ The Briefcase and its $100,000 decision
Toward the end of the first episode of CBS The Briefcase, which debuts tonight, executive producer Dave Broome is driving a van with two of the cast members inside. They’ve just visited another family’s house and are now weighing whether or not to keep $100,000 for themselves or give some or all of it to… continue reading
First thoughts about NBC’s The Island
NBC continued its obsession with Bear Grylls by debuting his latest series last night: The Island. The show has aired two seasons in the UK, and doesn’t exactly break new ground. Actually, the first episode was very reminiscent of two better series: Naked and Afraid, which does survival television perfectly. Part of its formula is that… continue reading
Developments in the Josh Duggar molestation story
Over the long weekend, there were several developments in the story of Josh Duggar’s molestation of his sisters and the family’s reaction to it. The Duggars’ TLC series, 19 Kids and Counting, remains off the air but has not been cancelled despite the allegations and ensuing scandal. A judge in Arkansas ordered police to destroy… continue reading
The reality TV I think is worthy of a TCA Award nomination
It’s that time of year when Television Critics Association members get to nominate shows for our annual awards, and thus time for me to offer recommendations/beg my fellow critics to please nominate reality television that represents the peak of what this genre is capable of producing. Although I’ve been generally pleased with the shows that… continue reading
TLC pulls, doesn’t cancel, 19 Kids and Counting
TLC has pulled 19 Kids and Counting off its schedule but not cancelled the series after its stars, the Duggars, admitted their oldest son, Josh, molested younger girls when he was a teenager. When the family learned of it, they did not go to authorities. When TLC learned of it, presumably yesterday with the rest… continue reading
Another Big Brother on Survivor; another brawn, brains, beauty season
Survivor‘s 32nd season is returning to the brain/beauty/brawn format, and its cast includes another former Big Brother cast member (Hayden was the first) and a former NBA player. The 32nd season already filmed from March through May, though it will air next February, the first time the show has filmed and broadcast seasons out of… continue reading
Duggars’ insane response to Josh Duggar molesting girls, including his sisters
19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar, 27, molested five underage girls when he was a teenager, including his sisters, according to a police report. The family knew but didn’t go to police, who only investigated after Oprah’s staff went to authorities after being tipped off prior to the family’s appearance on the show. In… continue reading
A dramatic reunion and satisfying finale ends a rocky Survivor
At the very end of an incredibly dramatic and overly rushed Survivor Worlds Apart live finale and reunion, Jeff Probst told viewers, “Thank you for your loyalty, even when you don’t like everyone.” You’re welcome, Jeff Probst. And thank you for shepherding a production that remains truly exceptional. The evidence of the show’s quality was… continue reading
RuPaul’s Drag Race is fixed, an alleged insider claims
The elimination order on Logo’s drag queen competition RuPaul’s Drag Race and other elements of the competition are fixed by the show’s producers, according to a person who correctly spoiled this season’s top three. Three months ago, long before Monday’s episode, the person correctly identified Ginger Minj, Pearl, and Violet Chachki as the final three… continue reading
Survivor Second Chance cast revealed tonight, off to Cambodia
Two weeks of campaigning, ad buying, social media craziness, and conspiracy theories will come to an end tonight during the Survivor Worlds Apart finale and reunion. That’s when the Survivor Second Chance cast is announced and begins their journey to Cambodia. We’ll also know if the inclusion of Mike Holloway and Carolyn Rivera was a… continue reading
The most “overwhelming and insane” reality show pitch ever
Someone claiming to be an anonymous New York-based “reality show producer looking for an assistant” has posted an ad for the position that mostly focuses on the producer’s pitch for a new reality TV series: the “Real Superman Show.” I’m honestly not sure if these 5,488 words are satire, epic performance art, or something that should… continue reading
CBS reveals huge Survivor Second Chance vote total, fans freak out
This afternoon, CBS revealed that more than 10 million votes have been cast for Survivor Second Chance. The reaction has been panic among fans and even some of the potential cast members. Voting ends Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, and CBS just announced this in a press release: “Since voting opened on May 6, more… continue reading
Chris Harrison blames The Bachelorette’s sexism on you
The Bachelorette returns tonight with a twist that The Bachelor previously used, having the season’s star be chosen by the pool of potential dates/mates. Before Britt Nilsson and Kaitlyn Bristowe have men compete for their affections, they’ll compete with each other for votes. If you any issues with that twist, it’s probably because you have… continue reading