Reality TV Scoop

Reality TV Show Spring/Summer Preview

Forget flowers. There's something a lot more exciting about to blossom this spring: a crops of new reality TV shows!

Here is a detailed recap of what sort of shenanigans you can expect to enjoy this season, featuring everything from dueling hairstylists to the scorned loves of Flavor Flav ...

Shalom in the Home (premiered Sunday, March 4 at 7PM ET/PT on The Learning Channel)
Forget Dr. Phil, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is in the house! In each one-hour episode of this series second season, the parent, author and family counselor descends upon a different family afflicted by a damaged relationship. The bespectacled and bearded Boteach then takes the family on a 10-day journey to help them address problems with everything from marriage and parenting to sex and self-worth.

The Springer Hustle (premiered Sunday, March 4 at 10PM ET/PT on VH1)
After 16 years of national syndication, this eight-episode series offers a behind the scenes look at the salacious talk show's Chicago set. With tempers flaring and furniture flying on a regular basis, viewers might want to wear body armor for this one.

Dice Undisputed (premiered Sunday, March 4 at 10:30PM ET/PT on VH1)
Hickory Dickory Dock, Dice's career is a flop. Now he's on VH1 with a mouth like a gun and it's constantly ready to pop. Trying to resurrect his career as the "Rocky of Comedy," Andrew "Dice" Clay should instead be hoping this seven-episode series doesn't leave him down for the count.

The Girls Next Door (premiered Sunday, march 4 at 10PM ET/PT on E!)
These sure aren't the type of girls that live next door to me. Nevertheless, Holly, Kendra, Bridget and their sugar-daddy Hugh Hefner return for a fourth season of this E! reality series that offers a look at the inner workings of the Playboy Mansion.

Paradise City (premiered Sunday, March 4 at 10:30PM ET/PT on E!)
King Midas wearing a skinny tie, Ryan Seacrest is trying to prove everything he touches turns to gold with this new reality series produced by the American Idol host. With its cast showing viewers what it's like to live, love and work in Las Vegas, even if the seemingly unoriginal series flops it probably won't be enough to sink Seacrest's career.

Australia's Next Top Model (premiered Monday, March 5 at 10PM ET/PT on VH1)
Throw another reality series on the barby for VH1, as the network will begin airing the first season of Australia's version of Top Model. Here's to hoping Aussie runway wannabes have catfights that are just as entertaining down under as they are in the states.

Pussycat Dolls: The Search for the Next Doll (premiered Tuesday, March 6 at 9PM ET/PT on The CW)
Don't cha wish this new reality series didn't seem like a thinly veiled attempt to promote the Pussycat Dolls? Don't cha? As the all female music group/dance troupe searches for its seventh member, scantily-clad women dancing and singing will be the norm. promised.

Pussycat Dolls: The Search for the Next Doll

College Hill 4 (premiered Tuesday, March 6 at 10PM ET/PT on BET)
Billed as the "first ever Black reality show" when it premiered in 2004, the series is back for a fourth season. Drawing comparisons to MTV's The Real World during its first three seasons - it certainly won't shake that moniker this time around - as the focus will be on four native Virgin Islanders living with a group of California transfer students while attending the University of the Virgin Islands in sunny St. Thomas.

Style Her Famous (premiered Monday, March 12 at 10PM ET/PT on The Style Network)
Women receive makeovers inspired by their favorite celebrities on the second season of this reality series, with featured styles based on the looks of actresses Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johnasson and Gwyneth Paltrow, supermodel Tyra Banks, and singer Beyonce Knowles, among others.

Adventures in Hollywood
(premiered Wednesday, March 14 at 10:30PM ET/PT on MTV)
Hi jinks galore in this series, as the hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia leaves the comfort of their Memphis, TN home to make their mark in Tinsletown. Coming off the success of their 2006 Academy Award for "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" - an original song they wrote for the film Hustle & Flow - the members of Three 6 Mafia are hoping they don't get hustled all the way back to Memphis.

Intervention (premiered Friday, March 16 at 10PM ET/PT on A&E)
The third season of this docu-reality series continues to profile people across the country struggling with addictions. Just think Breaking Bonaduce or Shooting Sizemore without the celebrity gleam.

Dancing with the Stars 4 (premiered Monday, March 19 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC)
Three athletes, two singers, a former Miss USA, a talk-show personality, a United Nations ambassador, two actors and a supermodel will polish off their dancing shoes for the fourth installment of this reality competition series that's usually ripe with rumors about cast members hooking up. Though it's decided to stand clear of Fox' American Idol, the question still remains if last falls ratings juggernaut can continue its success.

Continue Reading...

Dancing with the Stars Recap: Week Five

After saying goodbye to Leeza Gibbons last week, it's on to the latest round of moving and shaking ...

Ian Ziering and Cheryl Burke (Samba) - Ian is definitely capable of more attitude and athleticism, and the judges are on to him. His arm muscles were the most impressive of the night, but his Samba was mediocre when compared with Apolo's. Ian admitted that he had trouble getting into the character of the dance. If he's going to make it to the finals, he will have to overcome that challenge. Score: 24 (all 8s)

Clyde Drexler and Elena Grinenko (Rumba) - Early on in the competition, the judges encouraged Clyde to take advantage of his long legs and open up on the dance floor. But he is still not heeding this advice. We keep waiting for him to surprise the audience with a little more movement, but no such luck. Clyde and Elena's Rumba was very subdued. The judges showed the couple no mercy, calling Clyde the worst dancer in the competition. Score: 13 (4, 5, 4) Deserved, but ouch.

Heather Mills and Jonathan Roberts (Samba)
- We never noticed that Jonathan was the only male professional with hair on his chest, but Heather did. She insisted that her partner get the "Steve Carell" treatment (that's chest-waxing, for those of you who didn't see The 40-Year-Old Virgin). The pair performed a lively, entertaining Samba. Heather is a great performer, but she was not at her technical best tonight. Their performance took an unlucky turn when Heather's foot slipped on Jonathan's baby-smooth chest, sending her to the floor butt-first. The judges gave her a break, since the rest of the dance was more than competent. We're guessing that the fall will motivate Heather to really bring it next week. Score: 21 (7, 7, 7)

Joey Fatone and Kym Johnson (Rumba) - Joey wanted to shed his goofy side and get into the sexy character of the Rumba. He was flexible and focused, and he even grabbed Kym's butt a few times for good measure. We loved the couple's costumes, particularly Kym's beautiful dress. The judges gave Joey some grief for being too feminine, and Carrie Ann thought that Joey "over-performed" the dance. Bruno was the sole voice of dissent, calling the performance "strong and soft." Score: 25 (8, 8, 9)

John Ratzenberger and Edyta Sliwinska (Samba) - John seemed to take last week's brutal comments to heart, comparing the remarks to a "playground taunting." He stopped himself from pouting, though, which is admirable.He's a charming, lovable guy, and his personality could save him this week. John might end up in the bottom two, but he will probably escape elimination. Score: 18 (6, 6, 6)

Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough Laila Ali and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Rumba) - Laila's fiancé made a hilarious appearance during practice, and kept a close eye on the placement of Maksim's hands. Fortunately for all of us, his influence didn't carry over into the couple's performance. Laila's Rumba was hot and flirtatious, and she looked as flawless as ever. As long as the pair can follow the rules and maintain their sex appeal, they have a real shot at winning. Len thought it was Laila's best performance ever, and Bruno thought she was "smoldering." Score: 28 (9, 10, 9)

Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough (Samba) - Apolo Anton Ohno confessed that he desperately wanted a 10, and he got three of them. The first perfect score of the season was well-deserved. Apolo and Julianne did their best to go from cute to sexy, and they pulled it off. These two can really get into the spirit of every dance that they perform. Len said that all of the elements of their performance came together, and Carrie Ann called the Samba "perfection." They have to get the encore tomorrow, and we cannot wait to see them dance again. Score: 30 (10,10,10)

Billy Ray Cyrus and Karina Smirnoff (Rumba) - Few men can pull off a pastel purple sleeveless shirt, and Billy Ray is not one of them. Billy Ray's Rumba was a step backward in terms of skill and entertainment value. Karina basically lap-danced around him. The worst part was Billy Ray's attempt at sexiness, which came off more like smarminess. The guy is starting to give us the creeps. Carrie Ann praised Billy Ray's technical skills, while Bruno compared him to a "pillar of salt." Len said that Billy Ray traded the romance of the Rumba for "hanky-panky in the back of a Chevy." Nobody was amused by Billy Ray's predictable response. Billy Ray had a lot of potential early on, but his performances have plateaued. Fan votes are the only thing keeping him alive. Score: 17 (6, 6, 5)

Joey Fatone Defends his Juicy Butt

His moves may have won over Dancing with the Stars fans, but the judges keep pointing out the prominent posterior on a certain contestant.

"It's big. It's a little juicy. There's nothing wrong with it," Joey Fatone told People magazine on Saturday at an Alzheimer's benefit event at the Playboy Mansion.

Joey Fatone Still, Fatone works hard to make his rear less obvious on the dance floor. "It's gotta tuck in," he said. "I've got to push my pelvic bone in. I get nervous, though, when I do."

Why is that? "You'd be surprised: Even though I'm standing with a beautiful woman, you know, you would actually thrust? I hold back because I feel like I'm violating [partner Kym Johnson]."

And though he's struggling with his rump issues, he's confident there's a future for the Fatone fanny. "Actually," he admitted, "I want to put insurance on my ass like Jennifer Lopez did."

Fatone and Johnson will be back on the dance floor on Monday's Dancing with the Stars when they take on the rumba tonight. We'll have the recap first thing in the morning.

Booted Bachelor Babe Speaks Out About Andy Baldwin, Morals

No Rose For YouAndy Baldwin respects the strong moral values of Alexis Young.

But apparently not quite enough to keep her around for another rose ceremony.

The lovely Young was one of three girls eliminated on The Bachelor last week.

"I'm not sure if [my conservative values] did [play a role in my elimination]. If it did, I'm glad because my goal in going to this show was to let him know as soon as possible what I wanted in a guy, what kind of girl I was," said Alexis Young, a 26-year-old attorney from Southlake, Tex.

"There was a lot of time I was able to speak to [Andy Baldwin] that wasn't shown... I feel like I got to know him and he got to know me... the spark's not there, it's pretty simple."

Her moral values were on full display in the second episode of the 10th season of The Bachelor when Stephanie Tipper - a 27-year-old Folly Beach, S.C., organ donor coordinator who received Andy's "first impression rose" during the premiere - appeared to subtly taunt Alexis about Alexis' virginity.

"I had not told [Stephanie T.] that. She received that information from another source. I'm not exactly sure [how she knew that information]. I have my ideas but I'm really not sure," said Alexis Young.

Continue Reading...

Last Comic Standing to Return in June

NBC has announced the fifth season premiere of Last Comic Standing, the Emmy-nominated reality talent competition that searches for the funniest stand-up comics in the world.

Last Comic Standing 5 will premeire Wednesday, June 13 at 9PM ET/PT with a special two-hour show. Following its special debut, the competition will air in the Wednesdays 9-10PM ET/PT time period.

Last Comic Standing Viewers will be introduced to a new face for Last Comic Standing's fifth season, as the series will be hosted by comedian Bill Bellamy, the show's third host in its last three seasons. The actor and former MTV VJ served as host of Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?, a Last Comic Standing-like reality series that aired on the TV One cable network.

Despite a new host, some familiar Last Comic Standing faces will be part of the show's fifth season. NBC has tabbed three former Last Comic Standing contestants - Last Comic Standing 3 winner Alonzo Bodden and Last Comic Standing 2 contestants Ant and Kathleen Madigan - to serve as the show's new talent scouts. Celebrity judges will also join the talent scouts in their search for the world's funniest new comic.

Last Comic Standing's fifth season casting search was international, with talent scouts for the series making stops in Sydney, Australia, London, England and Montreal, Canada.

Also new to the show's fifth season will be a bigger prize package - in addition to landing an NBC talent contract deal and Bravo half-hour comedy special that's similar to the prizes that previous Last Comic Standing winners have received, the fifth season's winner will also receive a $250,000 grand prize.

Deal or No Deal: It's All About the Contestants

Never mind that Deal or No Deal features 26 beautiful models and comedian Howie Mandel as host. On this game show, the players are the real stars.

A bouncy Eskimo carrying Alaskan snow. A giant man in a kilt. A pair of sisters on roller skates. An Italian dad who can't stop cursing in his native tongue.

These are just some of the colorful contestants who have made the show NBC's biggest hit, reports Sandy Cohen of The Associated Press.

Deal or No Deal Contestant "We're finding these people that we fall in love with," said executive producer Scott St. John. "We're giving them this incredible chance, and it's so much fun to ride shotgun with them."

In the game, a player attempts to win up to $1 million by eliminating cash amounts tucked inside shiny silver briefcases (each accompanied by its own model). At various points during the game, the show's "banker" offers the player a deal - a guaranteed cash payout that would end the case-opening.

With its one-player focus, "we knew right off the bat we would need really engaging people to play our game," St. John said. "Overall, it's someone who is enthusiastic . . . folks who have their emotions out there for people to see."

Contestant Anteia Greer of Dyersburg, Tenn., was so overwhelmed by the banker's $100,000 offer that she threw herself on the floor mid-show. Her friends thought she had fainted.

"You don't pitter-pat with a million dollars," she explained. "You scream and yell, you jump up and down."

Another player's family brought a stack of plates along and smashed them on the floor in enthusiasm each time the banker's offer was announced. One contestant lifted weights during commercial breaks. Another sang karaoke and clog-danced in hopes of upping his offer.

"Originality is everything," said casting producer Neal Konstantini, whose staff of 13 chooses the contestants. "They've got to be fun. They've got to be zany and wild and energetic. I'm not putting on anybody who's going to bore you."

But a good player is hard to find. More than 150,000 audition tapes have been submitted, and thousands turned out for casting calls around the country. Just a fraction of the candidates had what it takes, he said: "Somewhere in the neighborhood of one or two percent actually make it on the show."

Continue Reading...

The Girls Next Door Honored with a Celebrity Star

The Girls Next Door have received a celebrity star in the state next door.

Holly Madison, Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson were honored with their own Brenden Celebrity Star at Brenden Theatres inside the Palms in Las Vegas late last month.

The Lovely Girls Next Door

The buxom beauties were, of course, joined by their famous boyfriend, Hugh Hefner, for the occasion. The Playboy owner already has a celebrity star inside the theater. While this honor is not as high as recognition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it's certainly a nice start.

Tim Gunn: Takes Aim at Project Runway, Season Four

Bravo, along with show producers the Weinstein Company and Miramax, announced last week that Tim Gunn would be back to knock another season's worth of straight-talking design sense into the often feuding aspiring couturiers.

"I am thrilled to make it official that I will be back in the workroom for season four of Project Runway," Gunn told E!. "We are in the midst of casting the designers now, and I can already see that it will be another amazing season."

Tim Gunn As previously announced Heidi Klum, will return in her capacity as host and judge on the show, alongside designer Michael Kors and Elle fashion editor Nina Garcia.

In December, Entertainment Weekly reported that Gunn was the only Runway player without a new deal, sending TV blogs into a tizzy with speculation that he would not return. In the months that followed, he changed day jobs, moving from chair of fashion at Parsons The New School of Design to chief creative officer of Liz Claiborne and got more TV gigs.

First, Bravo gave him his own series, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style (based on his book of the same title), and then he guested as a TV reporter on ABC's Ugly Betty in February. All the while, his Runway future seemed uncertain.

However, Gunn's importance to the series wasn't lost on producer Harvey Weinstein, who credited the fashion guru's "passion, creativity and dedication" to making the show "such a commercial and critical success."

While the new cycle of Runway won't air until this summer, the casting process kicked off last week in Los Angeles. Gunn, along with a contingent of the Emmy-nominated series' producers and last year's winner, Jeffrey Sebelia, gathered together to whittle through the wannabes, each of whom was required to show up with a sample of three articles of clothing and a portfolio.

Gunn told E! News that while such outré personas (think inaugural winner Jay McCarroll, season two finalist Santino Rice and Sebelia) were expected on the fashion-centric show, the primary criterion for prospective contestants was "design aptitude, not personality."Continue Reading...

Project Runway Casting: A Fashion Disaster

According to TMZ.com, the L.A. casting for the new season of Project Runway was a fashion disaster.

Tim and HeidiSources say auditions held two weeks ago at the downtown Standard Hotel had a record low turnout. Because lines were not very long, production staff members were "scrambling" to contact more up-and-coming designers to show up.

As the incomparable Tim Gunn would tell them:"Make it work!" Perhaps the fear of being "auf'ed" by Season 3 winner Jeffrey Sebelia, who was a judge during this weekend's session, kept all the wannabe Donatellas and Gallianos away.

Other Project Runway alumni were spotted at the session, including Season 2's Nick Verreos and Santino Rice. Despite the L.A. faux pas, the new season of the highly addictive reality show is scheduled to premiere this summer.

Holly Madison: Nude for PETA

Granted, it doesn't take a lot to get Holly Madison nude.

But she isn't doing it for a hot tub party or to fulfill the wishes of Hugh Hefner in this picture.

Instead, one of the three Girls Next Door - and Hef's main squeeze - is participating in an ad campaign for PETA. She wants to save the world, one animal (and layer of clothing) at a time:

Holly Madison Nude

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