Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts

Thursday, September 15, 2016

September Update: Everyone is in Great Health!

Well, I've done it again, I've let the blog just sit here for days on end, no updates, no nuffin'.

Sorry about that. I have more excuse for that than usual. Long-time friends, in fact surrogate family members from my two decades in Las Vegas have moved across the country, back to Ohio, and in with us. That has been a tremendous reunion, extended celebration, and little time or room for much else. The Other Half is highly irritated with all things political, and has nearly banned it from discussion. . .leaving the spare time for me to actually read and consume news and info on what's going on, rather than to write about it.

The big news this week, of course, is the health of the presidential candidates. Particularly after the health scare Hillary Clinton had on Sunday. Initially, the explanation of dehydration, exhaustion and pneumonia was iffy, sounding to some like convenient cover before finding out what was "really" wrong. But mostly that's because Right Wing World has spent weeks and months creating a fictional world where Clinton is a reanimated corpse or something. In the days since, Clinton has seemingly recuperated, her doctor has released a completely credible health assessment, and all but the kooky fringe (a disturbingly large contingent of people, I will concede) should be satisfied on at least that issue.

Meanwhile, Trump--who uncharacteristically wished Clinton well on her recovery--made a spectacle of his own health, having a very showy appearance on Dr. Oz, using a second health assessment by the same quack doctor, and pretty much erasing whatever credibility gap may have existed between he and Clinton on the issue. He also seemed to fudge on his own weight, trying to pass himself off as a bit overweight when he's likely clinically obese, and trying to convince people that campaign gesticulations count as physical activity.

It's all rather tedious in total, but you know what isn't? Listening to Rachel Maddow describe it in detail. She manages to make it quite entertaining, actually! Enjoy.


Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Duggars Finally Speak Out (Funny or Die)

I love inappropriate humor. I'm the one who is constantly biting his cheeks to keep from laughing at a funeral. I'm prone to be the one who says the thing that has others laughing at a funeral. And I can permanently wreck your favorite song by coming up with "better" lyrics that you'll forevermore have in your head when it comes on. So, the style of Funny or Die--making fun of even the unfunniest subjects is what they do--is right up my alley. But let's be clear. Any humor in the Michelle and Jim Bob (even his name is funny) Duggar (with a last name that sounds like a hillbilly sex act) scandal is directed at the hypocrisy, the irony, the absurdity, not the crime, or the victims? Clear? Okay. . .



Monday, December 30, 2013

(Don't Have to Live With) Duck Dynasty (Rocky Mountain Mike Song Parody)

I'm easing back into blogging after perhaps my longest non-active period since I started in mid-2007. So, what easier way to get back in, than to start with a Rocky Mountain Mike song parody? This one takes on the Duck Dynasty flap, via a parody of Tom Petty's Refugee.

 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Dr. Joyce Brothers Dead at 85

As a child of the 70s, I always knew who Dr. Joyce Brothers was. She was probably the first pop psychologist regularly on television. She could pop up on Chips as an actress, Sonny & Cher as herself, or as a huge portrait--on par with Jung and Freud--in a Mel Brooks movie. She was kind of randomly anywhere, any time. She was usually dryly humorous in her appearances and a bit self deprecating. I didn't realize until adulthood that her celebrity was a result of having been one of the first contestants to win on the 50s game show, The $64,000 Question. She was basically the first reality TV star, and parlayed it into a 60+ year media career! The Kardashians are going to have to live to a very old age to beat Dr. Brothers' record. RIP, Doc!

[Excerpt]

Popular psychologist, columnist and TV personality Joyce Brothers dead at 85

Joyce Brothers, the pop psychologist who pioneered the television advice show in the 1950s and enjoyed a long and prolific career as a syndicated columnist, author, and television and film personality, has died. She was 85. . .

Read more at: Minneapolis Star-Tribune


Friday, November 4, 2011

What Happens in Vegas: Kardashian Khaos at Mirage

I know that part of the allure of Las Vegas is the glitz and glamor, shallow pleasures and empty calories. For years, we've had celebrity hosts and djs at the trendy nightclubs, with a very low bar for the word "celebrity." We're talking Snooki and "The Situation" from The Jersey Shore, and even Kris Humphries, the recently kicked-to-the-curb husband of Kim Kardashian.

I know I'm an old fogey at 45, and I just don't "get" today's crop of stars. But I can't see the appeal of any of the Kardashians, or any of their reality shows, merchandising, or relatives (except for Brody Jenner).  So, I will not be seeking out Kardashian Khaos at The Mirage. I can't imagine why anyone else would either.





Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What Happens in Vegas: Snooki Looms Over the Strip

On my way to jury duty today (which resulted in a month's delay. . .no idea if I have to serve), I passed two enormous billboards, featuring Jersey Shore's "Snooki." Now, I realize that at 45 years old, I am no longer MTV's target audience (though I certainly was when they debuted). But I'm both puzzled and saddened by the fact that this program and this woman are attractive to anyone.

I'm hopeful that we're going through a phase. A very long phase, that we'll look back upon with shame, or only vague nostalgia. Like when the first wave of "reality television" hit TV, with That's Incredible! and Real People. Because even though there are some fantastic programs out there (The Walking Dead, True Blood, Dexter), it is the garbage that seems to turn on the kids of today. While I've never watched a single episode, I've gleaned enough to see that Jersey Shore is crap. I've seen enough of its stars to know that they have no real reason to be famous. Like the four Kardashian shows that Bruce Jenner's step-daughters have, and the Real Housewives of wherever, this odd looking Snooki person has no discernible talent, isn't particularly attractive, and is a squillionaire anyway.

But beyond the "famous for being famous" irritation, I'm even more irritated that my city of Las Vegas regularly puts up giant billboards touting these no-talents (and have for years) as "hosts" of parties at the various top-shelf nightclubs. I'm sad that these lesser lights get as much or more attention than the genuine stars performing here, and I'm sad that this apparently works. The beautiful youth of the day must actually look at a poster of Snooki, and say, "Now THAT'S the place I've got to be on Friday night!" Not exactly a ringing endorsement for today's young adults.

If you want to join Snooki, click here. I won't tell anybody.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

American Idol Crowns Another Winner

Just, no. Photo from source, MSNBC
And for the the second or third time, I so don't care! Sorry, I'm tired of it. I caught 1-1/2 episodes early on to see what Steven Tyler would do, and then just a few minutes of whatever it was they were supposed to be airing last night. Two cute teenagers who sing. . .country. Ugh. Tired, tired, tired.

If you care to see who won, go here: MSNBC

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Dancing With the Stars Spoiler Alert

I don't watch Dancing With the Stars, nor do I care who wins it. I even wrote a post recently expressing a small measure of glee whenever a silly reality show gets punk'd by its own rules. And while I seriously doubt anyone will land on this page who could possibly be spoiled for the revelation of who the winner is, I also don't wish to spoil anyone's fun. So, I'm putting the rest of this post low down on the page. Scroll on down to read more.




Now that you're here, I'd fist like to point out that Bristol Palin didn't win. Despite the best efforts and nearly mentally unbalanced effort given by conservatives such as Tammy Bruce and the whole of FreeRepublic.com, Jennifer Grey managed to pull out a win.  This doesn't give me any real joy. The results of the contest are usually completely off of my radar. But given the all out, insane push to stuff the ballot box as some delusional "payback" for the nonexistent voter fraud by the left in actual elections, I do have a small bit of satisfaction.

But what if Bristol had won? What exactly would that have proven? Nothing, not really. But it does speak to a trend.  One of the biggest reasons expressed by people voting 1,000s of times for Bristol was "to see liberals' heads explode." This was all about making the left angry, frustrated or otherwise get their panties in a twist. If you read any of the online chatter about it, you'll quickly find that there is far more talk about how many times they voted, and how great it would be if Bristol won--than anything about her skill as a dancer.  Check it out here if you don't believe me.  This situation is nearly exactly mirrored in just about any discussion around Sarah Palin's prospects for the Presidency.  They talk about her chances. They spin away her gaffes and malapropisms. They pump her up, and tout her as the ultimate candidate. But she's about as good a politician as Bristol is a dancer. No, scratch that. Bristol's better than that.

[Excerpt]
Jennifer Grey is Dancing with the Stars Winner 2010: Did She Deserve It?

There was a lot of controversy on Season 11 of Dancing with the Stars and the controversy is continuing even after the winner has been announced. While Jennifer Grey has been given the title of Dancing with the Stars 2010 Champion, there are many viewers who think (for one reason or another) that she wasn’t deserving of the win. . .

Read more at: Twirlit

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Bristol Palin, Dancing With the Stars and "Reality" TV

Image from source
I don't watch Dancing with the Stars. I also don't watch The Biggest Loser, The Amazing Race, Sarah Palin's Half-Baked Alaska, So You Think You Can Dance,  The Real Housewives of ANYWHERE, America's Got Talent or a host of other so-called "reality" shows. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an insufferable elitist who takes any sort of pride in not watching them (I don't even own a television, they sniff).  I've been a Survivor fan since the beginning, though I've bailed out of this season, as I have a few others. I've caught a few other shows here and there, and have watched full seasons of American Idol.  So I'm not beyond watching bad television. Hey, I've even watched The A-List New York.

So, though I have a confirmed case of Sarah Palin Derangement Syndrome, I don't begrudge her daughter Bristol having a slot on DWT (not so much) Stars.  I'm not even beyond a little sadistic glee when viewers "stuff the ballot box" on those shows that allow unlimited viewer voting.  Hey, they set the rules.  There's a site called Vote For the Worst that each year tries to do just that to American Idol.  So, let the viewers promote the--allegedly--untalented Palin daughter to the gold crown or whatever it is.  I guess.

The motives for doing that are a little blurry though. Vote for the Worst does it to AI just to put a stick in the spokes of a show that they think is silly.  But what are the Palin fans doing it for, exactly? When you've got a nationwide right-wing political talk show hostess, Tammy Bruce, spearheading an effort to vote for Bristol, my natural inclination is to be against that. But I guess I'm not. Whatevs, y'all.  I still wonder what they think it'll prove. And I wonder what it will do to future "vote for your favorite" reality shows.  Will they change the rules? Will future contestants on DWTS be dissuaded from even trying if there is an obvious "fan favorite" in the mix?  You watch. I don't really care!

[Excerpt]

Bristol Palin's Dancing With the Stars' run fuels conspiracy theories


Bristol Palin in the finals of ABC ballroom competition Dancing With the Stars? Shocker!
Conspiracy theory. The Palin Effect. Tea Partiers and other grassroots conservatives gaming the vote. . .

Read more at: KSDK.com

UPDATE: A new wrinkle I wasn't aware of, is that conservative sites are encouraging vote tampering of a sort in order to get Caribou Barbie Jr. more votes than she'd otherwise be able to get.  That's a horse--or moose--of a different color. It still isn't enough to get me too excited, but I'll bet it will inspire a new voting system next season.

Read about it at: Jezebel

Monday, November 15, 2010

Why I Won't Watch Sarah Palin's Alaska

Image from source, The New Yorker
Since her debut on the national stage only a little over two years ago (if you can believe it), Sarah Palin has grated on my nerves.  Why that is, is difficult to articulate, a problem Palin herself often has. It isn't because she's a woman, a charge usually lobbed first. It isn't that she's conservative. It isn't even her specific policy ideas, particularly, though I disagree with her on virtually everything.

It's a combination of things. For one, Palin proved herself to have a rather shallow knowledge of virtually any topic she was asked about during the campaign. So, however insightful or clever her followers may believe she has become, her political knowledge is almost entirely new. Since she lost her bid to be Vice President, she briefly went back to Alaska as Governor, and then promptly quit. So, her actual political experience ended very shortly after McCain/Palin campaign closed up shop.  All of her new learnin' coincided with becoming a political celebrity rather than an actual politician.  Even so, her every utterance is treated as newsworthy. Her every action is viewed though the prism of "will she or won't she" run for President.  Her presumed relevance bugs me for much the same reason that Newt Gingrich's does. 

But if you want to get right down to it, even all of that doesn't top the list of things that irritate me about Palin. It's her voice. Her grating, screeching, you betcha, colloquial gooberish, long word salad spewing voice.  That and the fact that her tangled syntax is cut with a wink, and a heavy dose of meanness.  And even after all that, I still don't think I've encapsulated it very well. But somebody has. I found a piece in The New Yorker that so perfectly encapsulates my "Palin Derangement Syndrome" that it saddens me greatly that I'm not that good a writer.  I've excerpted my favorite part below, but the entire article merits reading. 

[Excerpt]

Mush! Sarah Palin takes us for a ride.


. . .When it comes to Palin specifically, there is the fundamental problem that some of us don’t want to see or hear any more of her than we have to. And there are those whose objections have a physiological basis as well as an ideological one: the pitch and timbre of her voice, the rhythms of her speech, her syntax, and the way she coats acid and incoherence with cheery musical inflections join together in a sickening synergy that distresses the listener, triggering a fight-or-flight reaction. When Palin talks, my whole being wails, like Nancy Kerrigan after Tonya Harding’s ex-husband kneecapped her: “Why? Why? Why?". . .

Read more at:  The New Yorker

Friday, July 30, 2010

Ellen DeGeneres Leaving American Idol

Image from source, LA Times
Well, poot.  Ellen DeGeneres was just about the only worthwhile thing in the most recent, most lackluster season of American Idol.  Sure, she's not a musician, but she's funny and had some decent opinions. But then, she's also very busy with lots of other things. I just read this on Twitter, via @RyanSeacrest:  "Spoke with ellen d tonight aka @theellenshow‬‪. I will miss her on idol. She's one of the kindest and most talented people in Hollywood!"

[Excerpt]

Ellen DeGeneres is out as 'American Idol' judge

After days of furious rumors, Fox just made it official: Ellen DeGeneres' much-criticized tenure as the fourth judge on "American Idol" has sputtered to an end after just one season, with the show in the midst of a massive overhaul. . .

Read more at: Los Angeles Times

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Cast of Jersey Shore Rings Opening Bell on Wall Street

Image from source, TVNewser
I've never watched an episode of The Real Housewives of. . . anywhere.  I don't give a damn about Rock of. . . anything or anybody. I've caught a lot of Survivor and the odd episode of Big Brother (with only 1/4 attention out of one eye), mostly for the eye candy.  But even the promise of eye candy couldn't make me watch Jersey Shore. Who are all of these orange people with hot bodies but weird faces, and what is the premise of this thing anyway?  So far, none of the "cast members" has said or done anything that justifies this kind of attention. And I'll tell you what, anyone asked to ring the opening bell in the future should pause, and wonder what they must think of you if they let these dolts do it.

[Excerpt]

Snooki, The Situation, J-Woww and the rest Ring Opening Bell

Quite a scene on the business channels this morning as the cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore" rang the opening bell. CNBC's Erin Burnett mentioned that the NYSE had run out of guest passes for access to the floor -- nieces and daughters of some of Jersey's finest traders, no doubt. Burnett's co-anchor Mark Haines mentioned the cast was not allowed to talk to anyone on the floor. And Fox Business Network anchor Stuart Varney was proud not to know the cast members by name. "Which one is Snooki?"


Source: TV Newser

Friday, March 26, 2010

Sarah Palin Scores Reality Show on TLC


Image from source, TV Newser

Does "TLC" stand for thoroughly lousy candidate? Ha! I kid. Not really. Just kidding. Not really.

It is easy (oh, so easy) to snark on Sarah Palin. Her list of gaffes and goofs easily outstrips Vice President Joe "This is a big f*cking deal" Biden, and his political career is decades longer than hers. But let's put aside Palin's uniquely polarizing effect on the voting populace. Let's concentrate on her abilities as a TV host.

She's trained in journalism, despite having a rather large beef with journalists. She's telegenic, and does manage to en-swoon a sizable portion of the potential viewing audience. She loves Alaska, and likes talking about it. But there's the problem. She'll be talking, probably narrating. The voice. The constantly "on" folksy colloquialisms. The dropped Gs on everything ending in an "-ing." The rambling, impossible-to-diagram sentence structure. Her speeches are not "a bridge to nowhere," they are "paragraphs to nowhere." And the whole nature format is going to be turned on its head by a lady who likes to hang out of a helicopter shooting the wildlife. And settin' up oil rigs right in the middle of national parks! Also.

[Excerpt]

Sarah Palin Alaska Documentary Goes to TLC

Fox News analyst Sarah Palin's life on TV just got a lot busier. Discovery Communications announced this morning they have acquired the rights to "Sarah Palin's Alaska," an 8-part series helmed by "Survivor" and "Apprentice" creator Mark Burnett. . .

Read more at: TVNewser


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Grocery Line Blues: Who in the Hell are Jon & Kate?


Photo from source, Dickipedia

Yesterday, I stopped at the Von's supermarket on my way home to pick up some diet sodas, since they're on sale (have you noticed how expensive soda pop has gotten?), and a few other things. True to form, I got stuck in a line behind people who have apparently never shopped at a grocery store before. They've also never heard of "debit cards," and still use an archaic thing known as a "cheque book" which they do not extract from their bottomless pocket books until the very last item has been rung up. Not to mention after every coupon (for every item) has been scanned. And then the inevitable, "Oh, darn. Can I borrow your pen?"

So, I had a mini-eternity to examine the Bubble Yum, Altoids, Tic Tacs and Bic lighters. Bored quickly, I scanned the magazines. My GOD are there some shitty magazines at the checkout. The National Enquirer and The Star have been joined by OK! and several others I don't remember. But the one unifying feature was an apparently unhappy couple named Jon & Kate.

Being a former fan of gossip, I am aware of the trend in these rags to call "celebrities" by only their first names, sometimes shortened in overly-familiar ways, sometimes even smooshed together. But Jon & Kate really go by those names on their reality show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, a horrific-sounding program that has apparently been on for several seasons. I'll cop to a vague awareness of this unlikely phenomenon, though one that has hit my peripheral vision only in the past few months or so.

I've watched my share of trash TV, though I've weeded out the truly crappy things in the last few years. And I will admit to really enjoying Kathy Griffin: My Life on the "D" List. But Kathy's a comedienne, and I was already a fan. How do these nonentities develop a following? So they had invitro fertilization. This is a talent? A reason to be famous? And now the husband has been trying to make a few more kiddies, the old fashioned way? Who cares?

I'm not the only one wondering, as the excerpted article below can attest.

[Excerpt]

Jon and Kate Gosselin

Jon and Kate Gosselin (married June 12, 1999) are an all-American couple who have eight children, an exploitative reality TV show, and quite possibly the most miserable marriage America has seen since Kim Bassinger and Alec Baldwin. Though both Jon and Kate possess no charm, charisma, or talent aside from the ability to successfully combine sperm with eggs (with the help of a fertility doctor), approximately 10 million Americans tune in weekly to watch them emotionally (and fingers crossed--maybe in the 2009 season finale?--physically) scar each other little by little, in 30-minute increments. . .

Read more at: Dickipedia


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Britain's Got Talent's Susan Boyle

When Britain's Got Talent featured unlikely opera singer, Paul Potts, it created as big a sensation in the states as it did in England. My mother was smitten, and rushed out to get Potts' first album. Well, get out your credit card, Mom, there's a new star on the scene.

Susan Boyle clearly surprised the judges, including American Idol's Simon Cowell. Looking something like a sister of Keeping Up Appearances' Hyacinth Bucket, Boyle wowed them with an incredible voice. She'll wow you too.


Susan Boyle Stuns Crowd with Epic Singing - Watch more Funny Videos

Thursday, April 9, 2009

FOX TV Plans "Layoff" Reality Series


Image from source, THR

FOX TV has aired some pretty sleazy reality shows in its history. For every American Idol, there are a slew of Temptation Islands. But they may have just hit rock bottom. I mean really, "Surprise! You're Fired!" The sad part is, people will probably watch it. What's next, Who Wants to Marry the Unemployed?

[Excerpt]

Fox orders downsizing reality series

"You're fired" -- but for real.

Fox has ordered a one-hour unscripted series that turns real-life company layoffs into a reality contest.

The show's working title is "Someone's Gotta Go." Employees are called to a meeting and informed there will be layoffs, but with a reality show twist: The staff will be allowed to determine who is fired. . .


Saturday, February 23, 2008

Sign of the Apocolypse: Dog The Bounty Hunter Returns


Photo from source, TVGasm

I get a lot of crap from my brother, friends and coworkers for being a Survivor fan. I also get razzed for watching American Idol, but to be fair, I never watch AI with undivided attention. I must be also reading, blogging, or doing chores while it is on, or I feel guilty and a little empty inside.

As far as reality series go, those two are pretty much my only guilty pleasures. But what is the deal with Dog the Bounty Hunter? Does anybody admit to watching the show?

To be fair, I've never seen it. But when Dog had his day several months ago, with some stupid racist remarks, we were inundated with his visage. Horrifying. What would possess a man his age to call himself "Dog" and to look and dress like that? Moreover, what would possess someone to be a fan of his? I just don't get it.

During his scandal, I caught Hannity & Colmes (another train wreck) on FOX "News," and they were running an "exclusive" interview with Dog that ran nearly the entire length of the show. Add to this the number of times his story cropped up on FOX "News," and I suppose it explains Dog's popularity: FOXbots.

[Excerpt]

Dog The Bounty Hunger Is Baaacccck

Dog the Bounty Hunter will be making his big return to A&E. His show will be back on the air soon, and production is rumored to start back up in Hawaii. I guess A&E thought he was put in time-out long enough. It doesn't make what he said okay, but it should be interesting to see what his attitude is upon his return. I'm not holding my breathe. I don't really miss him at all.

From: TVGasm

Sunday, February 10, 2008

So, Is the Writers' Strike Over, or What?


Photo from source, MSNBC

It's Sunday evening here, and creatively, I've had sort of a down weekend. So, I've been scouring the internets, looking for interesting things to opine about and link to. One of those things is the writers' strike. For the last week, everyone has been saying that it was close to over. Now, this article tells us that it's "essentially over." Huh?

But I hope they're all correct, and that the strike is wrapping up. It may be too late to fix the TV season, but hopefully they'll be able to squeeze out a few tasty morsels to hold us until next season. Saturaday Night Live, in particular must be aching to be back on the air during a hot political season. Any actors working on their Rudy Giuliani or John Edwards impressions never got their shots! And shows like Real Time with Bill Maher and The Daily Show have managed to get back on the air, but are lacking a bit of their punch, minus their writers.

I for one am tired of reruns, game shows, reality shows, and more reruns. Winter is non-guilty TV-watching time. This season has royally sucked.

[Excerpt]

Strike was devastating — but not to viewers

The writers strike is essentially over, but as it comes to an end, television will not immediately change, nor has it significantly changed TV.

Because new episodes of scripted dramas can take more than a month to produce, the end of the strike doesn't mean that new episodes of series will suddenly appear. Most industry observers are predicting that only about four to six new episodes of suspended dramas such as "Grey's Anatomy," "CSI," and "Desperate Housewives" will air in May. . .

Read more at: MSNBC

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Writers' Strike Blues: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


Photo from source, Philadelphia Inquirer

The writers' guild strike continues to plague Hollywood, and though there are a few bright spots on the teevee this winter, it's mostly a minefield of bad reality shows. For an excellent run-down of what you'll have to choose from, read on. . .

[Excerpt]

Reality sets in

. . .Among dramas, it's rerun city after a few favorites, including CSI, House, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, air their remaining one or two new episodes.

But don't despair. With the strike looming, the networks have been husbanding quality material since summer. Many old friends - Lost, Law & Order, Jericho and others - will reappear with new episodes this month. Some promising new comedies and dramas are also ready to go. . .

Read more at: Philadelphia Inquirer
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