REALITY
QUICK TAKE: AMERICAN IDOL ‘ELVIS NIGHT’
Apr 13th
American Idol once again ran out of theme nights, so returned to the old staple of Elvis classics (a memorable theme from Season 4 when Lisa Marie Presley guest-ed and Chris Daughtry received a shock elimination). But given that last week was Beatles week and we’re only three weeks on from Rolling Stones night, I wonder if we’re ever gonna get the chance to hear the contestants be current and relevant as Simon keeps imploring.
Thankfully last season’s real winner; Adam Lambert was on hand to mentor the contestants. Adam didn’t hold back on his critiques – ‘that was just boring’, ‘his facial expressions are just dead’ – and came across like Boy George’s butch-er brother. The problem is that when Adam takes the stage tomorrow night he’ll so outshine all of this year’s contestants it’ll cruelly highlight what a season of suck Season 9 is turning out to be.
FAST FORWARD
Apr 13th
Why Networks Need To Stop Pointless Padding
Yesterday I settled down to watch this week’s edition of Celebrity Apprentice, DVR’ed from the weekend. Yes, I know it’s basically a commercial for whatever product placement deal Mark Burnett has negotiated that week – but I’m a sucker for a bit of Cyndi and Sharon (who sod’s law, were both largely absent from this week’s show!).
But as I sat down to watch the show and one of the dullest challenges of the season was unveiled, my finger got itchy on the remote. Do I really want to spend the next 2 hours of my precious time watching minor celebrities preparing yet another product presentation?
So I fast-forwarded through the show – and voila – I was done in less than half an hour. And the thing is – I don’t think I really missed a moment of good stuff. Because when it comes to padding Celebrity Apprentice is one of the most over-stuffed shows in TV. The ‘firings’ go on forever – it’s almost like bad improvisation at a comedy club – as Trump and his kids belabor the same key points over and over again. You can feel the Trumps desperately trying to provoke More >
CASTING CALL
Apr 7th
10 Celebrities Ready For Their Reality TV Moment…
Last week We announced their line up of new shows for the summer and fall seasons. Among the offerings – a docu-soap following cosmetically enhanced comedienne Joan Rivers and her daughter Melissa. Meanwhile Dancing With The Stars is basking in the glow of record ratings due to a sensationally cast season – Kate Gosselin, Pamela Anderson, Shannon Doherty – a trio made in tabloid heaven. While over on Celebrity Apprentice the delightfully daffy Cyndi Lauper is proving to be TV gold as she infuriates and alienates her team-mates with long winded stories, chronic ADD and bizarre off kilter ideas.
As someone who’s worked on numerous reality series over the years I think Cyndi is dream casting. She’s exactly who you want on a reality show – a celebrity who hasn’t been overexposed on similar series (hello Brigitte Nielsen) and so has an aura of mystery around them. We all think we know Cyndi Lauper – but now we’re realizing we don’t really know her at all.
Which led me to thinking – who else would be a dream reality show casting?
Here’s 10 celebrities I’d love to see signing up in the near future…
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FRIDAY NIGHT DE-LIGHTS
Apr 6th
Is There Hope For TV’s Dead Zone?
Being a British TV producer who emigrated to America 5 years ago, I often get involved in conversations comparing the state of UK and US TV. I’m afraid I’m not an especially loyal Brit and as far as I’m concerned American TV outweighs its Brit equivalent at virtually every step of the way (there’s a whole posting on this subject to come!). But one thing that I do find interesting is how Friday and Saturday nights in America are absolute no go zones for network and cable.
The reason this fascinates me is that in England, Friday and Saturday nights are THE nights for TV viewing. Years ago I produced on a TV talent show, Fame Academy (a cross between Big Brother and American Idol – later remade, not very well, as The One for ABC) and for us there was no question that we had to air on either a Friday or a Saturday. In the UK Friday nights are Big Brother live eviction nights, while Saturday is where The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing face off (AKA the clumsily named UK version of Dancing With The Stars). Both nights can deliver big ratings. The X Factor was watched by almost More >
