America’s Got Talent kept up the entertainment in its second episode and, for the most part, the talent. I’m just enjoying it so much, from the banter between the judges to the acts, from the outstanding to the bad. Even the acts with obvious tricks were amusing, like the guy who regurgitated things. But no …
The Island with Bear Grylls got very interesting in its second episode, which for me was a huge improvement over the first episode. The lack of fresh water lead to dehydration; threats of suicide and murder; and conflict over the actual filming of the series. While last week seemed like tiresome, childish bickering, this was …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …