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Bored by 'Big Brother' but not in the way that you think
So last night I watched Big Brother 10.
I know. I know. I vowed not to watch and then, against my better judgment, I was sucked in by the silly head of household competition. I have no excuse. I hang my head in shame. I am part of the problem.
Anyway, there I am watching people get banged against a wall while fake rain pours down on them and I had this singular thought "I would be the worst Big Brother contestant ever."
Not because I would immediately concede any of the physical HOH competitions because I know someone else would outlast me so what’s the point. And not because I would not be able to get into the self-created drama the contestants stir up. But because I would be absolutely bored out of my mind.
The sitting around waiting to hear who got nominated for eviction or for the power of veto competition to occur would drive me nuts. I find the show tedious in hour long increments. I can’t imagine actually living in the Big Brother house where the big excitement is sitting around for two hours watching people get banged against the wall. It’s no wonder so many showmances happen. They have to come up with some way to entertain themselves.
So out of all of the reality shows, I think I would be the worst on Big Brother. Honestly I can’t sing, dance or sew but I would rather be a contestant on American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and Project Runway because I might be stressed and making a fool of myself but at least I wouldn’t be bored. What reality show do you think you would be the worst contestant on? Talk about it below.
American Idol
Hmmm . . . does anyone else find it a little suspicious that FOX announced today that they are adding a fourth judge to American Idol? Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will be part of the panel when the show returns for an eight season in January 2009. There are two ways of looking at this:
1. The show was down in the ratings last season and needs something new to make people curious about the show and excited for the new season. Throwing a new judge into the mix could give us a lot to talk about. And in the judges are in a bit of a predictable rut. Randy tells them they did their thing and worked it out. Paula babbles non sequiturs about standing in their truth (my favorite quote of the year so far). And Simon crankily supports his early favorites no matter what. A new judge may force the others to step up their commentary and gives them someone new to react to. And since we don't really know DioGuardi, how she'll fit in with the trio is totally unknown.
2. The press release refers to DioGuardi as giving Paula some "girl power" support. But the negative and highly suspicious way to look at this is that Paula is being replaced and this is just the slow roll out of the casting change. I doubt it because I think Paula and all her wackiness is one of the reasons people tune in. You just never know what crazy thing she’s going to say next. She’s highly entertaining and often she’s the one who does give the most constructive criticism – even if it is in a convoluted way. I don't think Paula is going anywhere. The show has had plenty of chances and reasons to send her on her way and they never did.
What do you think about the announcement that American Idol will be adding a fourth judge? Talk about it below.
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for August 25-31
Kevin Bacon directed this episode of The Closer (Monday, TNT, 9 p.m.). When Detective Cruz’s brother is murdered, he goes on a mission to find his brother’s killer. And if you’ve been wondering why Brenda and Fritz haven’t been making any wedding plans you’ll be happy to know that next week Brenda’s parents visit (in their RV of course) and they’ve been wondering the exact same thing.
Greek moves to a new night and time for its second season (yes the show is only in its second season) Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ABC Family. Charisma Carpenter returns as ZBZ national representative Tegan Walker. (Here's hoping the show makes Tegan a permanent fixture) When we last left the students of Cyprus Rhodes, Evan kissed Frannie, Casey almost kissed Cappie and Rebecca put on quite a show for spring breakers in Myrtle Beach. When the show picks up, Zeta Beta Zeta is dealing with the scandals that Rebecca is leaving in her wake. It’s a really fun episodes filled with great one liners (thanks Cappie) and pop culture references (once again I tip my hat to you Cappie) as all the fraternities and sororities compete in the Greek games. I really don’t think there’s a show on TV that is as carefree and as lighthearted as Greek while still providing ongoing story lines you will want to invest in. In addition to all the romance shenanigans (and by the way I still don’t trust Frannie, do you?), Rusty and Calvin try to remain friends even though their respective fraternities don’t play nice and Dale is working on opening his mind just a little bit to new opportunities. This season will also feature the return of Senta Moses as the ever cheery ZBZ rep Lizzi , Carol Potter (that’s Mrs. Walsh to you and me) as a ZBZ alumni Paula and Michael Rady (Doug on Swingtown) as Max (let's hope he's less annoying here than he was on Swingtown), a potential love interest for one of our favorite students. All in all I remain totally smitten with Greek.
I received many panicked emails about last week’s episode of Eureka (Tuesday, Sci Fi, 9 p.m.). You’re worried about the fate of Ed Quinn’s character Nathan. And I’ve got to tell you I think you should be. Because the press release I received talked about the fact that "a hero will fall." I thought you should hear it from a friend.
From my unscientific survey, I think last season finale of Bones was the most controversial of the season. But if you missed out on what the fuss was all about, FOX repeats last season finale Wednesday at 8 p.m. As I briefly alluded to in Friday’s column, I think the series is at a little bit of a crossroads with this latest plot twist. Although the team has always tackled serious subject matters, they’ve often done so in a light hearted way. I think making Zack Gormogon’s apprentice was a risky move – and one that doesn’t necessarily pay off in next week's season premiere.
More cross promotion happens on Project Runway this week (Wednesday, Bravo, 9 p.m.) Rachel Zoe is the guest judge and what do you know The Rachel Zoe Project is a new series premiering on Bravo in September. Joe remains my favorite designer but I think that’s because he makes the clothes I would most want to wear. He’s an approachable designer so my guess is that means he won’t win. Who is your favorite designer so far?
That’s all for today. I’m back on Wednesday with this week’s familiar faces and more. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Wednesday.
I'm still OK with Bones. I don't have a problem with Zack as the apprentice, I really don't. I think because it would take a lot more than that to get me to quit watching David Boreanaz. I'm looking forward to the premiere.
On the other hand, "couldn't care less" (that was for you, Gus) about the reality shows. Amy, I've really enjoyed the discussion questions you've been posing lately to fill the void during the summer hiatus, but I just can't participate in this one.
AndreaC | Aug 25, 2008 12:23:52 PM | #At this point based on what they have designed so far, Terri seems to be the most realistic, classic, elegant designer. Lets see what the rest of the season brings.
typeogirl | Aug 25, 2008 12:36:04 PM | #I would be terrible on Fear Factor. One look at the jar filled with crickets I'm supposed to eat (or whatever) and I'd just start laughing and walk off the set. I don't think it would boost the ratings very much ;)
MK | Aug 25, 2008 12:41:35 PM | #I could easily be on Big Brother. I think I could find alot of ways to fill time... Or maybe I am thinking how much sleep I could catch up on... Either way, I would handle it so much better then I could ever handle survivor! That is one game I could never play. The challenges would be tough, the lack of sleep and food draining, but worst of all, NO SHOWERS!?!?! I wouldn't last!
Mandy | Aug 25, 2008 12:46:29 PM | #If it's any reality show, I'd be worst on Fear Factor. I wouldn't even participate. If it's current shows, then it'd be Survivor.
Denise | Aug 25, 2008 12:53:19 PM | #Well I'm kind of on the fence about Zack as the apprentice. I like the dude who plays Zack back when he was sent off to Iraq I think then he was wanting out of being on Bones so making him the apprentice was a way to make his exit from the show more better than just shipping him off to a war zone and never heard from again. I'm going to miss him in the lab.
Geez no comments about last night Law & Order: CI, I'm not going to be a spoiler but I think they should had made it into a 2 hour finale, the way they did it just jam everything into one hour. The only spoiler I'll give away is they showed Jeff Goldblum being kind of goofy in the squad room, I still rather see the 2 redheads working together.
It's no hidden fact that I'm a Big Brother fan love the show since the first season and I do read updates at jokers.com. Speaking of which I need to go there now. People out people
I have often thought that my head my explode in the Big Brother house. That said, I really need to just stable my high horse because I DVR the show all the time. However, the pettiness, the mountains of molehills, the ignorance and void where dignity should be - I might just spend all my time ranting in the diary room. I'd love to be a contestent on Dancing with the Stars - the everyman edition. What a wonderful fantasy camp - to literally live a Disney cartoon ball scene for weeks on end. However, in my fantasy life, I am on the Amazing Race!
Paula is a train wreck, but people love bloodshed. They will never move her out. Her weekly humiliation makes people at home feel better about themselves. Perhaps...that's why I like Big Brother. I'm growing smaller...smaller....smaller...
romana118 | Aug 25, 2008 1:13:36 PM | #Oh come on… how can anyone NOT want to participate in The Amazing Race???
Going to places you've never even heard about, seeing incredible sights, interacting with the local population, using every conceivable type of transportation, participating in all those interesting and occasionally fun tasks… what more could you ask for?
Comparably, sleeping on the ground, getting bitten by insects, dealing with snakes, spiders, rodents and other indigenous animals/reptiles, rarely taking a hot shower/bath, eating coconut, rice and fish for 40 days on Survivor pails in comparison to the relatively enjoyable cake walk of TAR.
I always kind of wanted to be on Amazing Race with my brother, as he is also my best friend. At the end of the day though he is way to competetive and athletic and I'm not. We wouldn't talk for months afterward and all of America would hate us because I would be the whiny one and he would be the jerk. That is not really true of either of us by the way so I decided that would be a really bad idea.
Erica | Aug 25, 2008 3:28:55 PM | #So the new judge on Idol.
At first I was like, who?
Then I was like, why?
If they were going to add a fourth judge, at least make it someone interesting that someone would want to tune in to see.
They could have hired a lot of people and they chose her?
I'll reserve judgement on her performance until we see it, but the announcement is kinda lackluster.
MikeyB | Aug 25, 2008 3:37:07 PM | #Wow - do I agree with the poster above:
WHO?
WHY?
It can't make it any worse and it can't make me watch it.
Amy, why was Army Wives a rerun last night? After a long weekend of absolutely NOTHING to watch, I was ready to spit nails when I realized!
Jan | Aug 25, 2008 3:59:11 PM | #i just watched the L&O:CI on DVR and was so fascinated that someone would screw with Goren and watching John Glover chewing scenery I didn't notice Jeff Goldblum in any background scenes.... having it be a two-hour finale could have been interesting, esp since i would have liked to have seen more of Nicole and Declan, and maybe Martha Plympton as Declan's daughter....
madbard | Aug 25, 2008 4:02:37 PM | #Umm, dudes, Stark dissolved into fairy dust (metaphorically speaking) at the end of last week's Eureka. He's dead, dead, dead. And worse than that, it's physics, Jim.
-- Rob
Rob (ShutUpRob) | Aug 25, 2008 5:17:32 PM | #Yeah- I was a little confused about the Eureka news too since Nathan was killed off during the last episode. But, Amy was probably answering an older concern and I don't think she watches that show....
My favorite designer on Project Runway is also Joe. I wish they would show him a little more but I think some of the other "personalities" over power his talent right now. As more people get weeded out I think we'll see him more.
As for Paula Abdul and people tuning in to hear her crazy... Not me. I Tivo everything and watch it later and I FF every single word that comes out of her mouth because I can't stand her. Yes, I miss some of the crazier things she says but I think I am a happier person for it. That lady is far out there crazy!!! I don't know who this person coming on is, but I do think that she will (hopefully) mix things up a little bit.
genniel | Aug 25, 2008 5:27:24 PM | #Amy --- On The Closer, it's Detective Sanchez. You used his real name, Raymond Cruz.
I could not figure out who Detective Cruz was. I had to look it up. Lol.
I think Olivia Newton-John would be a great judge on AI.
RRN | Aug 25, 2008 8:08:13 PM | #Dude, Stark is dead because the actor who plays him wanted off the show. just check here http://revealthescience.blogspot.com/2008/08/goodbye-nathan.html and also on this blog somewhere to http://eurekaunscripted.tumblr.com/
Chad | Aug 25, 2008 8:25:16 PM | #I think L&O CI put together a pretty nice season and I credit the show for leaving behind some of the artificiality that resulted in me checking out several years ago. Both Nicholson and Erbe were strong this year and the series is not only getting into the characters with some sincerity, it is digging hard into them. The writing seems less process oriented and the intrigue level is still fairly high, and an air of danger marked numerous eps. I wish Goren and Eames had been the team investigating the Sri Lanka ep "Assassin," which otherwise had a very cool and dark atmosphere to it.
I'm just trying to make sure I avoid failure in my own personal "reality show" so I'll pass on the TV ones for now (LOL).
I love some of the rich details of MAD MEN but does this show run the risk of becoming very exact, perhaps too taken with closing all the loops and sketching the picture so every tree is just right? Where is the nexus right now? It doesn't need the same center as more conventional dramas, but it does need some focal point.
Bruce | Aug 25, 2008 9:26:17 PM | #madbard the thing about Jeff was played after the show was over, might of been during the split screen of credit or after the "In Memory of" whom name I can't remember now. It was an empty squad room or whatever you want to call the area where all the desks are. Kudos to the writer for doing a great job on L&O:CI.
Ron B | Aug 25, 2008 9:57:16 PM | #Here's an idea American Idol. Yes, you've gotten rather stale. To remedy that, rather than adding a fourth judge which will cut down the performance times even more, why don't you:
1. Pick better, more talented and interesting contestants.
and
2. Actually let them sing an entire song, which might let us judge their real level of talent.
ferretrick | Aug 26, 2008 5:18:49 AM | #I gave up watching American Idol years ago, and don't plan on comming back with or without a new judge.
I don't know if it counts, but even though I don't watch it anymore, the show I want to be on is Deal or No Deal. I am a statistician, I understand odds, and consider it a free 75,000 to 150,000 dollars if I could somehow get on. If it has to be a recurring reality show, I guess I would choose The Mole or Murder in Small Town X. I love mysterys and those seemed like I would have a good time.
The reality show I would leat want to be on -- Fear Factor. THe eating challenges looked disgusting, and I know they would find the things I am most scared of and want to make me do them and embarass me. Again, if it had to be a recurring show, probably Boot Camp. That show just generally looked like they put you through hell.
Dan H | Aug 26, 2008 7:19:42 AM | #I love to watch The Amazing Race but since I hate to fly, can't drive a stick, have no sense of direction and can't sleep under less than ideal circumstances, I'd be the first one out.
On the other hand, I wish I could sing because I know lots of songs from lots of eras and genres so I could be very strategic when it came to song choice on American Idol.
Bea | Aug 26, 2008 7:49:59 AM | #I hope that they are not replacing Paula Abdul. She is an integral part of the show's "craziness." Also, she's the mother-hen who comforts these hopefuls. DioGuardi doesn't give me that vibe, at least from her brief Access Hollywood segment. But we'll just have to wait and see.
RItchie | Aug 26, 2008 8:01:07 AM | #I've been done with Bones for awhile now. Yes, Zach being what’s-his-name apprentice was just the cheery on top, but what actually turned me off was the Booth and Brennan will-they-won't-they focus. This used to be a show about a forensic anthropologist, her team and this kind of annoying, kind of interesting FBI agent. Now it's about when is Booth and Brennan going to kiss, touch, rub, make sweet, sweet love and maybe, if they have some time to fill, a little investigation.
Alana | Aug 26, 2008 8:11:29 AM | #This week's Closer was fantastic. Phenomenal.
Theresa | Aug 26, 2008 11:55:56 AM | #okay, first, I was shocked at Eureka last week, as Nathan's smiling image was wiped away by moving time. I was so sad! I didn't know he was leaving. too bad. I felt so badly for Ali. sigh.
then, Project Runway, I don't have a favorite yet this year. I'm still trying to get into the show this year. It's my least favorite season so far. I hope something sparks me soon or I'm afraid when they move to L.A. it will really be a yawner.
Terry H. | Aug 26, 2008 12:27:25 PM | #
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