2005 Reality TV Rundown
Published December 30, 2004
Even though I previously wrote that 2005 should mean the end of reality TV, network programmers are clearly not listening. Something like 500 new reality shows are on the drawing board with many debuting over the next month as TV's midseason begins.
In truth, some reality shows are worth your time ("Wife Swap," "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," and sometimes even "The Real World"), but with great scripted shows like "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," "Alias" and "House" on the air with good ratings, the reality trend should begin to wane. That was the point of the previous slam against it.
Here's what to look for (or stay far, far away from) in reality TV land:
The Surreal Life, Season 4 (VH1, Sunday Jan. 9, 9/8c p.m.)
Fresh from Season 3's unexpected Flavor Flav and Brigette Nielson love connection comes another batch of has-been's to beg for your attention. This bunch seems particularly lame and uninteresting with "Mini Me" Verne Troyer, Christopher Knight ("The Brady Bunch's" Peter), Rap "star" Da Brat, wrestler Joanie "Chynna" Laurer, and the guitarist from The Go-Go's.
The Apprentice (NBC, Thursdays, 9/8c p.m.)
This time it is a battle between the book-smart and the street-smart, but will anyone care? Season 2 officially "jumped the shark" with endless product placements, Trump pumping his various enterprises and a boring cast of kiss-asses. Season 3's cast was introduced in TV Guide and no matter how smart they are, they sure be fugly.
The Simple Life 3: Interns (Fox, Wednesday Jan. 26, 8/7c p.m.)
Why? Maybe this season was greenlighted just so we can make easy Paris Hilton / Lewinsky intern jokes.
The Entertainer (E!, Sunday Jan. 23, 10/9c p.m.)
Ten wannabe entertainers (i.e. comedians, illusionists and singers) look to become the next big Vegas act by currying favor with Wayne Newton. First though, they must Google "Wayne Newton" to find out who the hell he is.
The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliot (UPN, Wednesday Jan. 5, 8/7c p.m.)
We get why Paula Abdul and Wayne Newton headline "Star Search" retreads, but why does Miss "thang down, flip it and reverse it" need to join the fray? Madonna will reportedly be a guest judge too.
Remaking Vince Neil (VH1, Saturday Jan. 1, 9/8c p.m.)
The Motley Crue frontman lets a team of makeover artists, personal trainers and witch doctors turn back the effects of aging, Rock n' Roll and alcohol abuse. Too bad they won't be able to restore his voice.
The Contender (NBC, Sunday Feb. 21, 9:30/8:30c p.m.) - Sylvester Stallone and Sugar Ray Leonard take a group of 16 boxing hopefuls through challenges and fights. Since the Fox show with Oscar De La Hoya tanked perhaps Sly can regain the rights to "Eye of the Tiger."
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- 2005 Reality TV Rundown
- Published: December 30, 2004
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television
- Writer: Chip Ross
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Comments on this articleComments
Don't forget 2005 (specifically next week I think) will see the debut of Who's your daddy?
Look that show up. Talk about a f*cked up premise.
I predict there's going to be a lot of final-decline-of-civilization-as-we-know-it talk based upon the premiere of Who's your daddy?
The reality is: it's a pretty stupid concept, exploitive to its "players" and the audience.
There is a new show about greedy family members fighting over the estate of their dead patriarch, "The Will" on CBS. That seems worse to me than "Daddy," which is really the same thing as those reunion shows on Oprah or Montel. I am a bit surprised by how much uproar "Daddy" has caused. It is at least not bringing death or greed into the equation. But I plan to watch neither one anyway.
Chip - Please transfer my above comments to The Will. I hadn't heard of that one until now.
On some perverse level, I wonder how far down the rabbit hole this thing is going to go, don't you?
Eric,
I enjoyed Making The Band as well, if for nothing more than P. Diddy's tough love approach to the contestants. They had to work for their pay and the whiners got booted, an example more people need today.
I don't remember anyone actually getting booted, though I missed the last episode of the most recent season (which left me sleeping unquietly for weeks).
I don't actually enjoy very much of P Diddy's work as an artist, but I was fascinated by his personality on Making the Band: a unique combination of hustle/smarts/know-how/determination. The guy is a born showman and hit-maker, and this show highlighted that more than anything else.
~ Eric B.
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Of the new shows, I think only The Contender has a shot at keeping my attention... though the Burnett style of dripping-every-moment-with-longing-and-suspense is beginning to try on me.
However, I think that The Apprentice remains one of the more watchable shows on television, along with The Real World (which never seems to get boring... stupid maybe, but not boring).
I wish that MTV would bring back Making the Band, which I found incredibly addictive, especially its inside-the-studio moments.
About reality vs. scripted TV: it looks as though reality has found a permanent foothold, which is sadly having a chilling effect on greenlighting scripted shows. It's all about profit vs. returns, and reality is super-cheap.
Total aside: my wife and I were driving through LA's Valley a few months ago and spotted The Surreal Life van next to us on the 134. I had to admit it was a little bit surreal.
Eric Berlin
Dumpster Bust: Miracles from Mind Trash
http://dumpsterbust.blogspot.com