In the realm of reality shows with questionable audience interest, Dance Moms lives in a special place that makes its popularity especially difficult to understand. Generally, the arena of reality television I like to refer to as the "negative viewership" branch is split into two groups - the screaming, and the odd. I say negative viewership, because by and large (one hopes) people aren't … [Read more...]
Coming to you this Sunday is another installment in the reality TV "feel good" series. Secret Millionaire takes you along for the ride as a millionaire searches for someone deserving of a large donation. Each week a new millionaire will embark on an adventure that showcases the needy, and will hope to not only connect with the "other side" of life, but run into someone trying to do great work who … [Read more...]
Finally, with all the shows jumping to American television, we've made it to one I've really been waiting for. Masterchef is hitting on FOX this Tuesday, July 27th at 9:00pm et/pt. The reality competition show has been a huge success, already spawning a celebrity version, an Australian incarnation, and more. Focusing on bringing home chefs into the spotlight, it's a theory that suits my tastes … [Read more...]
We're approaching the finale of True Beauty's second season, and the show capitalizing on the great fun inherent in watching pretty, stupid people act really stupid has truly worn out its welcome. As was the case in the first season, those responsible for the show don't actually understand the theory of the show, and apart from the Real World-esque joys of watching morons yell at each other, and … [Read more...]
The show Ghost Hunters has turned into a bona fide franchise. Recently renewed for another season, the show also has the spin-off Ghost Hunters International, and its own reality show with contestants vying for their chance to join the ranks. Now available on DVD, Ghost Hunters International - Season One Part 1 brings you 11 episodes with over and hour of deleted scenes. The paranormal … [Read more...]
At some point you are probably pushing the boundaries of niche television, even in the reality competition genre, and History's Top Shot might be edging right up to the line. Premiering tonight at 10:00pm, this reality series, with customary $100,000 top prize, challenges contestants to prove they are the best marksman. Through a variety of challenges, which at least have sense enough to … [Read more...]
History is getting into the reality competition game with their new show Top Shot, and it looks like this might be an interesting battle. Coming to you June 6th, the show pits contestants against each other in challenges that test their marksmanship. Those aiming for the top prize range from professional shooters to Wild West entertainers, and they're all after a $100,000, and the title Top … [Read more...]
Are you excitable? Are you ready for more reality from E!? It's Holly Madison's turn, and she'll be coming to you June 13th. “Holly’s World” follows the life of one of E!’s most familiar faces as she leaves her life in LA behind to take on Vegas. In her new destination, Holly hit the ground running and quickly made a big name for herself as the sexy lead in the successful Vegas stage … [Read more...]
If you're a regular reader here at Are You Screening?, that title alone is going to demand a bit of explanation, and I'm inclined to give it to you. We'll see how it goes. Among the latest crop of shows to partake of the theory that as long as living human beings are in front of the camera, there are, ipso facto, "real" people in front of the camera, and therefore you can call yourself reality … [Read more...]
It's already been a strange run on The Celebrity Apprentice, and now that we're a few weeks in, two people seem to be dominating the overall feel of the show... and I bet they aren't going away any time soon. As much as you want to suspect Donald of having a tight grip on whatever he's involved with, those tricky reality shows always have certain disclaimers about the final decisions being up … [Read more...]
I'm such a fan of the theory of Undercover Boss, that it almost doesn't matter if the show itself is worth anything at all. Conveniently, it's a pretty interesting and entertaining show, but the idea of CEOs going into the trenches and discovering (or rediscovering) what it's really like at the ground floor strikes a chord with me. It apparently works for a lot of other people as well, as the … [Read more...]
A sub-genre of reality television has emerged, and for lack of anyone else taking a stand to compartmentalize it, I'm going to call it, "Shows you don't know why you're watching." One of the main players in this category has to be Kathy Griffin, and her show that is simply about being Kathy Griffin. These are shows with no real gimmick, or theory of what you'll be tuning in for, but are instead … [Read more...]
You may be well aware of my fondness for Gordon Ramsay. I've talked up his shows several times in the past, and while there are certainly a lot of people out there who write him off for all his screaming, you just have to like Kitchen Nightmares. Whatever else you might say about (I'll probably disagree), this show is reality television at its best. Love him or hate him, if the show does nothing … [Read more...]
An interesting spin on police officer reality-based television is coming your way tomorrow, December 2nd, on A&E as Steven Seagal makes his way to television. Steven Seagal Lawman lets viewers in on the fact that Seagal has in fact been a police officer for twenty years. The show plays out a little differently than you might expect, with things devoted about equally to riding along with … [Read more...]
Get ready for some serious reality television, and sooner than you may have thought. “Steven Seagal Lawman,” is a new Real-Life series that will chronicle martial arts expert and international film star Steven Seagal’s extraordinary life in law enforcement on Wednesday, December 2nd at 10PM ET/PT on A&E with back-to-back episodes, but you can catch the premiere episode early at … [Read more...]
Now, come to your own decisions about which shows are actually a part of the "Upper Class," but I'll run with my own ideas, and we'll see what happens. While reality competitions aren't hurting for viewers overall, something seems to be in the air, and perhaps with good reason. But, are the big names going to listen to the stirrings (or lack thereof), and are they smart enough to care? Sure, … [Read more...]
