As a smart and intelligent TV addict, I generally shy away from talking about the bane of my existence — reality TV. But this news can’t be ignored. IAN ZIERING is returning to television! Lovable Steve Sanders (of BEVERLY HILLS 90210 fame) has just been announced as one of the ’stars’ in ABC’s new season of DANCING WITH THE STARS (premiering March 18 on ABC). In the announcement on ABCnews.com (News? Really?) Ian Ziering’s bio states that “Since the end of the show, Ziering has acted in a variety of television and film roles.” If anyone can point me to any of these shows, this TV Addict would be eternally grateful.
Also set to show of their moves to America are Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Mills. Clyde Drexler, Joey Fatone. Shandi Finnessey, Leeza Gibbons, Paulina Porizkova, Laila Ali, Vincent Pastore and Apolo Anton Ohno.
You didn’t shed a tear during last night’s special two hour installment of EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.
For those of you who don’t know a Cylon from a Klingon, a quick explanation. A Cylon is a robot (in human form), and if didn’t tear up during last nights tribute to a true American hero, well that my friends is exactly what you are.
Last night, Ty and his design team came to the aid of an ex-Marine who risked his life to save two police officers at the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. You may have seen Sergeant Thomas’ story played out in the film WORLD TRADE CENTER, which featured the police rescue. At the time of the movie’s release, neither New York authorities nor the film’s producers had been able to locate the man who identified himself at the site only as “Sergeant Thomas,” and the film portrayed him as a white man, though he is black. When reporters tracked him down, he hesitantly came forward with his story. Now he is celebrated all over the country.
While theTVaddict.com is generally not a fan of reality television, I couldn’t help but be completely enthralled with last night’s edition of EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION. It’s one of those rare reality television shows that actually makes the world a better place and brings a tear to my eye everytime I watch it.
For a few more signs that you might be a Cylon, click the link below…
Quick — What do Diane DeGarmo, Josh Strickland and Frenchie Davis all have in common? Aside, of course, from the fact that all three have used 14 of their alloted 15 minutes of fame, the trio of former AMERICAN IDOL contestants currently are all appearing on Broadway (in Hairspray, Tarzan and Rent, respectively).
And while IDOL wasn’t designed to find the next star of the Great White Way, the same can’t be said of GREASE: YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT, in which viewers will pick the actor and actress who will star in a revival of that old warhorse GREASE. The series — debuting Sunday, January 7 at 8 p.m. on NBC — follows a slew of no-doubt attractive wannabes hoping to be cast in the roles made famous on the big screen by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The winners — to be selected by viewers – will star in the revival of GREASE scheduled to open in June of this year.
Although the whole production – what with singing stars, a trio of judges (including one whose British and, if we’re lucky, surly) – sounds more then a little familiar, the stakes are high for not only NBC, but also the producers who’ll be trusting America to cast the leading rolls in a multi-million dollar Broadway production with the potential to be a long-running cash cow like Cats… or a short-lived, bloodless money pit like Rosie’s TABOO. With so much riding on the final casting, the role of the judges — Grease creator Jim Jacobs, producer (and obligatory Brit) David Ian and Tony-award winning director Kathleen Marshall — to try and make sure America doesn’t screw things up too badly. “It’s part of our job to guide the public,” says Kathleen Marshall. “Someone may look great on TV, but if they can’t project to the back of a Broadway [theater], that’s going to be a problem.”
If a girl is whining about having left her two children behind in order to pursue her dreams and another young lady — and we use the term loosely — is balking at the notion of doing a nude photo shoot, it must be time for the new season of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL!
In many ways, this series — the latest edition of which debuts Wednesday, September 20 at 8 p.m. on The CW — is rather like junk food… which is ironic, considering the gals probably rarely touch the stuff. But think about it: Just like chowing down a Happy Meal from McDonald’s, you know exactly what you’re getting. And while it won’t be good for you, you’ll walk away oddly satisfied.
This season is no different. Every time Tyra Banks walks into a room, there is much screaming. (Then again, these gals scream at the drop of a hat, making one feel more than a little sorry for the poor sound guys. Here’s hoping they’re provided with a supply of earplugs.) And of course there’s the girl who makes it clear very early on that she’s not there to win friends. (And judging by her behavior in the two-hour pilot, she most certainly won’t!)
Are you ready to become the Next American Id… I mean PUSSYCAT DOLL? The CW’s latest attempt to mimic the success of AMERICAN IDOL is entitled THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL. And if you live in the Los Angeles area — and can sing — YOU could be a star. According to my friends at the CW, here’s what you need to know:
“THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT PUSSYCAT DOLL” CONTINUES IN LOS ANGELES ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 The CW Network continues its nationwide casting call for its upcoming reality series “The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll” (working title) in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 9 at CBS Studio Center (4024 Radford Avenue in Studio City) from 12:00-6:00 p.m. Slated to air during the 2006-07 broadcast season, one lucky woman will become the newest member added to the chart-topping pop group, the Pussycat Dolls. Under the guidance of The Pussycat Dolls creator and founder Robin Antin, selected young hopefuls will live together and have their singing ability, dance moves and sheer self-confidence put to the test in an eight-episode reality series.
For additional information, including audition requirements, applications and how to submit audition videos, please visit www.cwtv.com.
In all honesty, I stopped watching SURVIVOR after SURVIVOR: AFRICA (with the exception of the ALL-STARS edition). That said, I know a lot of readers LOVE the original reality mega-hit, so here’s some news. Direct from the PR department of CBS:
CBS today announced the 20 new castaways who will compete in SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS when the 13th installment of the Emmy Award-winning series premieres Thursday, Sept. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
SURVIVOR: COOK ISLANDS will feature the series’ most ethnically diverse cast to date. The castaways will initially be organized into four tribes divided along ethnic lines (African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and White) before merging in a later episode.
In addition, throughout the series, at least one castaway each episode will be banished to a separate island (Exile Island) miles away from camp. While being separated from the tribe is not desirable, the castaways will learn that there is a hidden Immunity Idol somewhere on Exile Island. If found, this Immunity Idol could save an individual from being voted out at a future Tribal Council.
Looks like creator Mark Burnett is scraping the bottom of the barrel in a desperate attempt to generate buzz for the thirteenth season of SURVIVOR. While some may see this ‘division via ethnic lines’ as an interesting twist on a tired series, this TV addict sees it as more of a ratings ploy to gain some attention and media coverage. Honestly, after 12 seasons of SURVIVOR, mabye it’s time to take a rest for a season (or at least half a season). Is there really a need for two cycles of SURVIVOR every season? What’s next? SURVIVOR 14, with the cast divided by height? Wait, that won’t generate nearly enough media interest. How about SURVIVOR 14, the religious challenge. We’ll have the tribe divided into Christians, Jews, Muslims etc… Now there’s a reality show that will generate some serious controversy!
This morning, ABC’S GOOD MORNING AMERICA (Holy Network Sinergy Batman!) announced the ‘Stars’ that would be performing in DANCING WITH THE STARS 3, premiering September 12 at 8pm.
The list was made up of the usual bunch of no-name celebrities with a few nostalgic choices thrown into the mix. While I wasn’t surprised to see Joe (don’t call me ‘Joey’) Lawrence and Emmitt (obligatory sports star) Smith on the list, a few of the names did indeed surprise me.
MARIO LOPEZ: Way to throw away any new respectability gained from your appearance on the upcoming fourth season of NIP/TUCK. Although, on the plus side, any SAVED BY THE BELL star worth his share of HOT SUNDAE knows what an amazing dancer AC SLATER was!
VIVICA A. FOX: Has the star of some pretty respectable films (KILL BILL, ID4) and tv shows (ALIAS) really sunk so low? I wasn’t aware FOX’s career was on life support?
TUCKER CARLSON: Huh?
MONIQUE COLEMAN: Who on earth did she play in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. Do I have to pause the DVD and replay the movie frame by frame to find out? A walk-on in HSM does not a ‘STAR’ make!
Regular visitor’s to theTVaddict.com know how little I discuss reality TV. Why haven’t I jumped on the bandwagon like the rest of the world? Two reasons actually. First off, I can’t deal with watching people embarrass themselves on TV. Whether they’re eating worms for money, cheating on their partners, or willing to throw away any shred of self respect for fifteen minutes of fame, it’s just sad.
Secondly, and more importantly, the more successful reality TV is, the less quality scripted drama and comedies we’ll see. Reality TV is loved by the networks for its mass appeal and inexpensive production values. If it ever comes down to ‘Who wants to Marry a Millionaire Midget’ or a series like EVERWOOD, rest assured you’ll be watching a midget get married on screen this fall.
That said, I’d like to take a moment to talk about a reality TV show that I recently watched, and loved. It’s Morgan Spurlock’s 30 DAYS, and it airs on the FX network at 10pm Wednesdays (EST). Each week, 30 DAYS highlights a sensitive topic within America’s social fabric. The episode I watched was entitled “IMMIGRATION” and followed a man named Frank who was adamantly against illegal immigration. So much so that he was an active member of the Minutemen. For thirty days Frank lived with family of illegal immigrants in East Los Angeles and experienced what it was like for the ‘Gonzales Family.’
The episode, which is currently a FREE download from iTunes, was incredibly moving. It showed both sides of the issue and really opened my eyes to how good my life is, and how difficult it is for the majority of Americans.
It was nice to see Reality TV actually contribute to society, rather then tear it down. With future episodes tackling such hot button topics as Outsourcing, Religion, Abortion and Jail, 30 DAYS can count me in as a new loyal viewer.
This may surprise long time readers of this site, but I’m actually going to take a moment and talk about (no, not THE VIEW), rather REALITY TV. Generally I’m not a huge fan of Reality TV. With the exception of season 1-3 of Survivor and Season 1 of the Apprentice, I find Reality TV unoriginal and contrived. That said, you have to check out this clip from AMERICA’S GOT TALENT. Syd ‘The Kid’ is an eight year old comedian. Let me say this, there is no way this kid is writing her material. But it’s a short, and really funny clip (worth procrastonating from work for two minutes!) So take a look, and prepare to laugh.
As a smart and intelligent TV addict, I generally shy away from talking about the bane of my existence — reality TV. But this news can’t be ignored. IAN ZIERING is returning to television! Lovable Steve Sanders (of BEVERLY HILLS 90210 fame) has just been announced as one of the ’stars’ in ABC’s new season of DANCING WITH THE STARS (premiering March 18 on ABC). In the announcement on ABCnews.com (News? Really?) Ian Ziering’s bio states that “Since the end of the show, Ziering has acted in a variety of television and film roles.” If anyone can point me to any of these shows, this TV Addict would be eternally grateful.
Regular visitor’s to theTVaddict.com know how little I discuss reality TV. Why haven’t I jumped on the bandwagon like the rest of the world? Two reasons actually. First off, I can’t deal with watching people embarrass themselves on TV. Whether they’re eating worms for money, cheating on their partners, or willing to throw away any shred of self respect for fifteen minutes of fame, it’s just sad. 
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