There are a gazillion big reality shows on right now. Really. When you add in the smaller, more obscure (and often trashier) shows, there’s probably about five gazillion reality shows on the air. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I do know that this weekly column can’t cover every reality show on the remote.
Nor can (or do) I watch every reality show — not even some of the more popular ones. But what I can do is give you the lowdown on some of the shows each week, often accompanied by my own opinions. Of course, sometimes my opinion might be more about why I don’t watch a show! I don’t like the concept of The Bachelor and have never watched an entire episode. But the gossip resulting from Jason being a jerk definitely caught my attention! So, what’s been happening this past week?
That was the week it was
American Idol – The first night was all about the 13 singers performing. On the whole, I think we’re seeing more professionalism and more talent with this bunch. In past seasons, I think we saw more untrained kids making it through to this stage.
The second night introduced us to the new “twist.” Okay, one time during the season before the final four, the judges can save a contestant voted out by America. Then the next week, two go home. Um. Whatever. I mean … I was a huge Melinda Doolittle fan out of all of the contestants ever to appear on the show. Would a rule like this have saved her? Is a popular contestant all that much worse off by gaining the exposure of AI and then not having to do a show-related CD?
Perhaps I just don’t have enough vested interest in the contestants. The show entertains me while I watch it, but I rarely buy the music and I don’t vote. I often enjoy watching the performances and hope some of the contestants stay on. But in the end, it doesn’t really matter to me who wins or not. That’s pretty much my take on all the shows. Entertain me is all I ask. That said, Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez went home. Give me a month or two, and I’ll forget all about them.
Dancing With the Stars — Yep, another big season of D-List celebrities and their stepping partners in crime. I’m a fan of both So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew, but I never got into DWTS. Oh, I’ve watched an episode here and there, but that’s it. However, this show is a huge hit and it’s b-a-a-a-c-k! So far, pre-show injuries resulted in two replacements, and some of the current dancers are walking wounded (Steve Wozniak, Steve-O). The first results show is Tuesday, March 17.
The Celebrity Apprentice – Speaking of D-List celebrities …! I don’t like the time slot, the night, nor the two-hour format for the show this season. Sure, it’s a personal thing, but I want to fuss. I end up watching it online or recording it. Even without commercials, it’s too long. Make them stop. I gave up on the regular version of the Trump line during its last season. But I got hooked on the celeb version, so here I am grumping that it doesn’t mesh with my schedule.
Last week, Scott Hamilton was fired. For making that silly “EEE” name for the Zappos Shoes superhero, he needed to go. I don’t condone a lot of Tom Green’s antics, but he didn’t come up with an absurd and unrelated name for the character. At least he knew it should start with a “Z.” And … what’s with Clint Black? I thought it would be Dennis Rodman who irked me.
Last night, for the third week in a row, the men lost again. Between Dennis Rodman and Tom Green, I don’t know who’s worse. I don’t think I’d hire them, so I’d never have to fire them. But Tom overstayed his welcome by sucking two weeks in a row. Bye-bye, Tom Green.
Survivor — Coach is still way weird, JT became a maniac trying to win immunity, the inter-tribe alliance of four (Taj, Brendan, Sierra and Stephen) is solid, and non-entity Spencer went home this week. Taj really needs to be a bit more careful — her mouth is her main enemy. First she told others about her husband being an ex-NFL biggie dude guy (no, I don’t watch football), and then in the latest episode, she reamed the very guys who seem to be ruling the vote. Oy, girl … please, be calm.
In oddball reality show news
A near riot shut down the casting call for America’s Next Top Model in Manhattan. Yikes!
No. I wasn’t there. I only riot for cookies.
Clacked by Jackie Schnoop 
on Mar 16, 2009 @ 14:03 EST5EDT
Thanks for the wonderful articles. I am also a huges fan of Melinda Doolittle. come join us melindasbackups. com it’s is a website for fans. Melinda official website also melindadoolittle. com. She doing spring tour dates and city are post in her website.