New Reality Shows to Watch Out for in 2006-2007
I suppose it’s because, as the old saying goes, “truth is stranger than fiction” and modern television viewers have developed a liking for the odd and dysfunctional. We want people we can either identify with and root for or who can disgust us and make us feel superior.
The networks do not plan to disappoint, as they deliver a whole new slew of reality shows for 2006-2007.
Some of the ones I thought would be the most interesting to watch, for either good or bad reasons, are as follows:
“Celebrity Duets”
Fox continues to sling out brand new reality shows and “Celebrity Duets” has been eagerly anticipated, as is anything created by the intuitive Simon Cowell.
Professional singers have been paired up with celebrities each week and the singing partners compete against other competitors, all for the sake of winning the $100,000 cash prize that goes to the charity of their choice.
If nothing else, these types of shows briefly give the kiss of life to those whose careers have been stagnant in recent years. Contestants include Cheech Marin, Alfonso Ribeiro, Lucy Lawless, Lea Thompson, Hal Sparks, Jai Rodriguez, Chris Jericho and Carly Patterson. Some of these folks you may know, some you may have never seen in life. By the time you read this, some eliminations will have already taken place.
The talented Wayne Brady(remember his now-defunct talk show?) is the host and judges include music producer David Foster, Marie Osmond and the very-er-“unique” Little Richard. Foster and Osmond are at least constructive, but the producers of “Celebrity Duets” need to get Little Richard to reel in his over-the-top histrionics long enough to make a lucid judgment of the singers.
Although it is a lot of fun to watch, thus far, you have to wonder if viewers are going to eventually end up getting tired of all these reality shows bent on recycling the shelf life of B-list celebrities.
Still there’s something in most of us that cheers for the underdog and you have to give these people their props for trying, so most of us will go on watching because of that alone.
The live performance shows are aired at 9 p.m. on Thursdays and the results are announced live on Fridays at 9 p.m.
“I Pity the Fool”
Remember the mohawk-wearing, very muscular, perpetually-scowling Mr. T, who starred in “The A-Team”?
Well…he’s back ..and TV Land’s got him!
I thought that, after turning up his nose at the opportunity of starring in a season of “The Surreal Life”, he was pretty much finished with considering a stint on reality television, but he is now set to have his own reality show, beginning in October.
The idea of this show is to have Mr. T provide tough-love type “motivation” to whatever pathetic person or group of people is chosen for a particular episode. Producers of the show plan to let the big guy show his warm, fuzzy side. He will offer his very own special advice to the clueless.
Even if he gives lousy advice, who’s gonna tell him??
“I Pity the Fool” starts on October 11.
“Next Level-Vince Young”
This is something every dedicated football fan should love, which means that my husband will probably watch this more than I will.
BET’s new reality show follows Vince Young, the rookie quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, from the time of the NFL draft up to his adjusting to his new assignment in the pros. It will also focus on his close relationships with his family members and community.
If you’re looking for scandal, you probably won’t find it here. No skanky relatives or gold-digging girlfriends or desperately -bizarre-behavior-for-attention on this program. It’s just about a nice guy with an extraordinary talent.
I think it’s a refreshing change from the multitude of other reality shows that celebrate the worst in people. Sadly,the lack of controversy may bore some viewers used to the more outrageous.
My hope is that sports fans will watch and champion “Next Level-Vince Young”.
Six episodes will begin airing in October.
“House of Carters”
Those fightin’ Carter brothers- Nick and Aaron- are about to star in their own reality show, along with their non-famous siblings, Leslie, Angel and Bobbie Jean, who all live together in the same house for the duration of this series.
You may know Nick from his Backstreet Boys days and for his very volatile relationship with ex-girlfriend Paris Hilton, while solo singer Aaron’s teen fan magazine photos have probably been taped on the walls of a sea of pubescent girls.
They hope to take America by storm with their unique brand of dysfunction, in which their family and personal secrets are revealed, providing viewers with way more information than any of us probably need to know.
My guess, though, is that this one will end up a hit, due to the support of Nick and Aaron’s multitude of screeching, young female fans.
“House of Carters” premieres on E! at October 2 at 9 p.m., so, if you’ve got a daughter age 12-18 living in your home, expect them to whine to see this one.
“On the Lot”
This is one of Fox’s most ambitious efforts.
“On the Lot” is a valiant attempt to take the high road, in terms of reality show fare. Since Steven Spielberg is associated with this, I admit that I have positive expectations for this one.
Sixteen aspiring filmmakers from different areas of the U.S. come to Hollywood and, after being put into teams each week, are given the assignment to produce an original short film. Judges include respected people in the film industry and we viewers get to watch and decide for ourselves who should be purged from the show each week. One night will be for viewing the films, a second night will be for giving the results.
At the end of this show’s season, there will be only one filmmaker left, who wins a studio development deal with
DREAMWORKS. Talk about the ultimate “Cinderella” story!
I am really looking forward to seeing this show, because it isn’t often you hear the word “quality” in the same sentence with the term “reality show”.
We have to wait until spring of 2007 before this one airs, darn it!
It is well worth the wait, though, and may even be the start of raising the bar for future reality shows.
Reality shows come and go …
Every year, we get more of them. Some succeed, some fail. Some are good, some are staggeringly bad, but they are a fabric of our culture now and somebody, somewhere is going to watch them,
So, I advise you to give the above-mentioned reality shows a look and decide for yourself whether or not they are worth your time.
