Reality Clack – Evil Russells, mylar balloons over Colorado
Lately on television, reality shows have really been a bad example of the real reality in which we live. For example, on Survivor: Samoa, we have two Russells. One is definitely an “Evil Russell.” But the Good Russell is exhibiting poor leadership skills — he was the Chosen One to lead his tribe in the beginning of the season. The supposed Good Russell has a chip on his shoulder the size of Wisconsin, too.
The latest route for many of the reality shows I watch is to get the most obnoxious self-absorbed folks ever in the cast. Then they focus on those people for the action almost more than any physical competitions or such. I suppose it does take a quirky personality and a dubious psyche to want to be on the shows, but give me a break.
If I hate reality TV, why am I drawn to Hell’s Kitchen?
To say that I hate reality television unfortunately isn’t much of an overstatement. I recognize that there is some quality programming in the genre, but I think that the genre, in general, has done more to hurt scripted programming than they have to help television in general. Shows like Survivor, American Idol, and The Amazing Race (shows that I will give their due credit) have given rise to an industry that now provides programming like Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire, More to Love, and Who’s Your Daddy.
I blame reality television for the death of shows like Journeyman, Firefly, and Life. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I do. But as much as I detest the genre, I still have managed to get sucked into Hell’s Kitchen. I watched a couple episodes this spring when I was visiting my parents (My mom is a fan). When nothing else was on tonight, I was pulled right back in.
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Oh no! Some of my favorite shows are just about done for the season and some are already history. The Celebrity Apprentice and The Amazing Race both wrapped up last night, and it’s not long to go for other shows on my “must see TV” list. American Idol is down to the final three. Yikes! How fast time flies!
Of course, the end of these shows only means that other shows I enjoy aren’t too far in the future — So You Think You Can Dance and Big Brother (my summer guilty pleasure) will be coming along soon. Usually I run a week behind reporting on the shows which air on Sunday nights. However, due to the season finales, please be warned that there will be finale show spoilers for both The Amazing Race and The Celebrity Apprentice after the jump.
Reality Clack – Celebrity Apprentice, Survivor, Dancing With the Stars, American Idol
It was a week of controversy on some of the shows in the reality television genre. After all, there’s the Joan Rivers and Clint Black hatefest on The Celebrity Apprentice, not to mention the oddly-reasoned firings of two of the celebrities on the show. David Alan Grier’s very … um … eloquent exit from Dancing With the Stars is certainly one for the books.
Meanwhile, a fan favorite team was Philiminated on The Amazing Race and American Idol viewers voted yet another contestant into the dark crevice known as “you’re on the tour, but you ain’t the one” status. The tribe didn’t have to speak on Survivor as an injury made the decision for them. Let’s get right into the skinny!
Whoa … don’t tell me The Bachelor really did that! In a topsy-turvy grand finale show, Jason went out with a bang. Or, perhaps he’s just lucky no one had a shotgun. The finale of America’s Best Dance Crew was certainly much more predictable and satisfying.
Then there’s Coach from Survivor. What the heck is going on there? I don’t know. I’m just happy to see sort of normal folks running The Amazing Race. Heck, even the kids on American Idol aren’t as wacky as some of the full-fledged adults we’ve been seeing as of late. Hmmm … Tatiana and Coach, a match made in heaven?
Reality Clack – The Amazing Race, American Idol, Survivor, The Bachelor, Celebrity Apprentice
Well, the CBS heavy-hitters in the reality genre returned this past week. Yes, I’m talking Survivor and The Amazing Race, not Big Brother. Last year’s winter version of BB was only due to the writers’ strike and that show continues to be a guilty pleasure of the summer. That’s just as well. When all three CBS reality series I watch are all in the same season, I go a bit bonkers trying to keep up with it all.
After all, it’s hard to keep up with the shows I’m watching now when you throw in the scripted shows, too. Dang. If only I could watch TV instead of working for a living!
Reality Clack – Hell’s Kitchen, The Bachelor, American Idol, Survivor
Ah, this week two of my favorite reality shows return — Survivor and The Amazing Race! But, just because they’re not on yet doesn’t mean the reality TV genre fan has nothing to watch. Nosirree, Bob! Right now The Bachelor is in full swing, American Idol has taken over the world once again, and Chef Gordon Ramsay is belittling and screaming at a new bunch of chef wannabes in Hell’s Kitchen. Life is good for a reality show fan.
Sure, the scripted TV shows have also picked up this month. That always leaves me with the dilemma of too much to watch and too little time. Right this moment I want to thank all of the networks who make full episodes of shows available online. You guys rock!
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