reality trash- May 31, 2005 It's just never the ones you expect. Or at least that I expect. There's a whole new glut of reality trash tv popping up on basic cable, to take advantage of the network reruns. It wasn't like I was expecting Strip Search to be any good, but I thought it might be a fun guilty pleasure. Just sad and unclean and especially boring. Relentlessly repetitive. Not at all interesting the first time, and then the same crap over and over. Blech. But just as I set the tivo up for it a few weeks ago, as an..http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/30.html#a1614 An endless hour of nothing- May 20, 2005 Tonight's Apprentice. Worst reality finale ever (Of the good shows, I mean.) Worst I ever remember. Nothing happened! At least the right person won, but that could not have been more obvious at the end of last week. Why would they present an hour of filler all by itself If they had tacked it onto last week's it would have felt like two hours that dragged too long. But this Nothing. --- And of all the things to nail Kendra for, tears of joy What a dick. Worst moment ever for Trump. I shared...http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/19.html#a1612 Apprentice let-down- May 19, 2005 Burnett really baffled me last week. Either Kendra mopped up the floor with Tana in the final challenge, or he completely misrepresented it, start to finish. So we approach tonight with the riveting anticipation of two possibilities: a foregone conclusion or an outrage. Huh Why would he possibility set up his finale that wayhttp://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/19.html#a1611 Late to the party- May 19, 2005 I've been hearing about America's Next Top Model being the best reality show on TV for ages now. Wasn't buying it. Or didn't care. The inner life of models Sorry, not interested. (Do models have inner lives) It was Joan Walsh that finally got me tempted, and Tyra Banks' off-her-meds eruption while I happened to be on the phone with a friend who had it on in the background that finally got me to tune in. (Hey! Remind me not to talk to people when they're watching TV.) For about 20 minutes I.http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/19.html#a1610 So it IS an art form- May 18, 2005 Just got hooked on "America's Next Top Model" the past month. I have a dramatic new respect for models after this show. Finally get what it takes to make a stunning shot. Starting to get it. And the surprising thing is, I'm interested. Really interested. Kahlen has been a big part of the reason. More than anyone else on the show, she has demonstrated for me how a winsome, meek little girl can suddenly project this wild intensity of emotion into the photograph. Not cornball rage or...http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/18.html#a1609 Homo humilation- May 16, 2005 Some days, it's just so embarassing to be a homo. I was talking about Ian's failure of self-confidence in the Survivor finale two posts back. There's a guy with almost enough self-respect, just falling a hair short in the final momnet of crisis. Coby is just a walking example of twisted self-loathing world-loathing, sef-destruction. He is so bitter and jaded toward the world he just rips apart any shred of decency he finds anywhere, thereby making a total ass of himself and...http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/15.html#a1602 Finally- May 16, 2005 A deserving Survivor winner. How long has it been since anyone has said that Nice to see this show wrap with a satisfying conclusion. Tom was a great player and deserved every bit of it. Would have been a bit more interesting it the final wasn't against someone so pathetic, but Katie's self-immolation before the jury was kind of entertaining to watch. And great to see everyone do the right thing and the easiest vote since the show's inception. Almost everyone.http://blogs.salon.com/0001137/categories/realityTv/2005/05/15.html#a1601 |