Is this a first? VH1 is spinning off two shows, into one: Rock of Love Girls: Charm School mixes Flava of Love's Charm School, hosted by Mo'nique, with Rock of Love, Bret Michaels' search for love and a pop culture relevancy. Sharon Osbourne will host the $100,000 competition. Because she is classy. [NYDN]
This week's news that networks are turning to Americanized foreign series to save cash? Here's your primo example of how this could be either genius or a disaster: Fox is picking up Hole in the Wall, the hugely popular Japanese "human Tetris" game show, where contestants must bend themselves into shapes to fit through a wall cut-out, or get forced into a pool. Its United States arrival, however, isn't too much of a stretch; Hole is already broadcast in 16 regions, including Australia, Russia and Denmark. (ABC, meanwhile, is picking up obstacle course series Wipeout, a take-off on Japans 1980s show Takeshi's Castle.)
So how to tell whether this show is going to take off in the U.S.? YouTube clips of the show have been viewed millions of times. Each.
Because what America needs right now is lower fuel prices, universal health care, and another music reality show, Billboard magazine is hoping to solve at least one of our nation's problems. The Nielsen Business Media trade is launching Billboard Next, reports The Hollywood Reporter, also, conveniently a Nielsen Business Media title. [THR] The show will have hopefuls upload their acts to the Next website, and whoever collects the most votes will get to appear on proper television. "Details of the prize are being kept under wraps," reads the report, which basically translates as, "Don't hope for anything more than a sidebar blurb in Billboard at some point in the future."
Dina Lohan wants "boundaries with the paparazzi" when she also wants to earn a fee for pimping out her youngest daughter Ali? The scenario is so laughable, it's almost worth tuning in for. But also to see her scream at some gossip outlet – probably a blog! with a phone number! – for some raunchy pictures of daughter Lindsay.
You remember Lindsay, the daughter who for once had the foresight not to put herself in a terrible publicity situation and refused to take part in the show, making Dina's phone calls to her the only way to get her name involved in this charade? CONTINUED »
Despite our excitement about Elle's The CW reality show Stylista, and fashion news director Anne Slowey playing the evil villainess, our behind-the-scenes spies are painting a less entertaining picture. At least for those working on the show.
As Jossip was the first to tell you last month, staffers have been roped into participating in the series unwillingly, being forced to ditch weekend plans to attend tapings at the show's faux office.
Now we're hearing two senior editors, Joann Pailey and Kate Lanphear, were blatantly lied to about their involvement on the show, originally being told they'd be extras, which they begrudgingly allowed, and then bait-and-switched into prominent roles as judges. "Both were completely humiliated and wanted nothing to do with it but were basically lied to by the powers that be," says an insider.
As for the overdramatic Slowey? "Where do you start," says our source. CONTINUED »
While NBC and Ryan Seacrest were all sorts of excited to announce their new reality project, Momma's Boys (apply here!), last week, at least one person wasn't to thrilled.
That would be Lutfu Murat Uckardesler, who claims to have invented the show's format (slogan: "mothers of eligible bachelors help their sons pick the right woman") with Perfect Bride, which has found ratings success in Turkey, Italy, across the Middle East.
"Last week, I was surprised when our clients started calling and sending emails of congratulation to us on our U.S. sales," writes a representative of Uckardesler. "I was surprised as we had neither sold rights nor entered into any negotiations. Reading the press releases from NBC and Ryan Seacrest Productions, I was shocked to discover that even their wording was identical; 'Mothers are now choosing the perfect brides for their momma’s boys.'" CONTINUED »
Imus made it back to the airwaves after "nappy-headed hos." Now Dog The Bounty Hunter is returning after his off-air (but recorded) use of the n-word that his son was fingered for leaking.
Filming has already begun for the fifth season of the A&E reality series, and new episodes will begin airing this summer. [AP]
A "carefully choreographed" press conference yesterday announced the show's return, of which A&E spokesman Michael Feeney insists is "not about ratings" but rather, "We know his heart. We know him and know he's not a racist."
Now we can certainly understand anyone who's upset about Dog's return, but please, Al Sharpton, do not shut down television in protest.
Last night, Whitney, a 20-year-old student from Florida, became the first ever plus-size winner of America’s Next Top Model. It’s a huge step for the advancement of the belief that all women deserve to be objectified. CONTINUED »
Here's a preview of the upcoming Elle reality show Stylista (nee Fashionista?), starring fashion news director Anne Slowey as the evil villainess who will RUIN YOUR NAME IN THIS INDUSTRY.
She arrives via town car! She wears dark sunglasses! She dons four-inch heels! She expects her lunch plate to be feng-shuied! THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF GLAMOUR, PEOPLE.
She's clearly trying too hard to be Miranda Priestley, but those who know her might, uh, say the act isn't an act. Whatever. We're going to love it.
Below, dos mas clips. One almost features tears! CONTINUED »
… this morning MTV announced it has greenlit the 21st season of The Real World. It will be filmed in Brooklyn, the reigning home turf of post-teen drama, and broadcast in 13 one-hour episodes in early 2009. No word yet regarding in which neighborhood the attention-seeking hopefuls will reside … CONTINUED »
In recent memory, it started with shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Then it got caught up in the Oprah machine with Oprah's Big Give. (Why don't we forget about NBC's Three Wishes and ABC's The Benefactor?)
And now reality television as a charitable cause is going one step further, with Secret Millionaire, the new Fox series where cameras follow a wealthy benefactor who spends 10 days visiting an impoverished town in stealth mode and living as crappily as the locals. [THR] At the show's end, the rich guy reveals himself and donates at least $100,000 of his own money (expect at least $1m for the finale) to one or more lucky individuals.
Viewers will also be treated to the rags-to-riches side of the story, with cameras following the lucky recipient as he blows his wad on foreign cars and blow.
Since America's Next Top Model never really cared for plus-size models, should we believe TV Land will actually go after 35-and-over models? Yes! Because that's the actual premise behind She's Got the Look, debuting June 4. It's taking the usual model reality show format – photos shoots! walk offs! modeling contract! magazine shoot! – and repurposing it for the "too old to model" category. [WWD] The winner gets a deal with Wilhelmina Models and will be shot for Self.
At least it's not Prevention?
Too bad the world's most famous 35-year-old model, a one Ms. Heidi Klum, is already booked for hosting duties.
Ali Lohan "can't sing a a song that I don't believe in." Dina Lohan chimes in with "That can't happen, this is money." Ali Lohan imagines her rise to fame will be quicker than her sister's. Dina Lohan's blonde tresses look voluminous.
And that's all the substance you can expect from Living Lohan. CONTINUED »
We could've sworn this reality show script had already been written, sold, and produced (MTV's Parental Control?), but Ryan Seacrest and NBC are teaming for a new gimmick: Momma's Boy, where "mothers of eligible bachelors help their sons pick the right woman." It's going to be a late summer entry, premiering after the Olympics. [Z2I] It's also going to be Seacrest's umpteenth show he works on, solidifying his "new Dick Clark" status, and those bags under his eyes.
Lesbian fitness lady Jackie Warner is feeling the wrath of disapproving sponsors.
Warner and one of her staff came under fire last week after having a laugh about a client’s breast, which was made worst when people learned that the breasts in question had beat breast cancer. The incident led many homos to label her a “negative icon.” Now Gatorade’s pulling out from Warner’s Bravo show, Work Out:
Justin Timberlake's new reality show for MTV, The Phone, which he's producing but not starring in, explains his reason for being at the network's upfronts in New York today. But what the hell is this new show? CONTINUED »
Wasn't Surivor host Jeff Probst supposed to leave the show, like, years ago? Well, he's not. Leading up to Sunday's big finale of four gals, Probst, who just signed on for another four years, takes some time to reflect about dangling a million dollars in front of men and women who will eat bat meat for the chance. CONTINUED »
END OF DAYS The Hills has been renewed for a fourth, 19-episode season of fictionalized drama. [Us]
Can Jossip mascot and The Paper star Amanda Lorber just might make newspapers cool again? You know, among the kids! And isn't what's trendy among a generation of people who can't even apply for a credit card all that matters?
Sadly, you already know the answer to this question, but it's fun watching the argument get made about a little MTV reality show that's turning geeky kids supplanting their social life with newspaper copy into tween idols. CONTINUED »
Mollygood’s eternally optimistic editor, Cord Jefferson, has admitted that he “can’t imagine a bigger nightmare than being on a reality TV show,” which makes me want to sign him up for one behind his back. Just imagine the breakdowns, the rants, the binge drinking — it would be glorious.
