Blog Archives
Reality TV Has Always Existed
It seems like everyone wants reality television to run its course and get off their television sets. The truth is that’s never going to happen. Reality TV is here to stay. Since the late 1940s, it’s existed in one form or another and many of the first reality shows were adapted from radio. For example, Candid Camera started as Candid Microphone. While it may seem quaint now, Candid Camera basically had the audience spying on people who were put in uncomfortable situations without being in on the joke.
Even though Candid Camera still seems tame, Queen for a Day, which also started on radio and aired on TV from 1956 to 1964, is shocking by modern standards. The host would force housewives to recount all the misery in their lives, many broke down and cried, so that they could potentially win whatever they needed. Whoever the audience determined had the most tragic story would get help, everyone else was sent home without so much as fare for the bus.
Weekly TV Update: September 3
Seth MacFarlane
Why was Jersey Shore canceled? Entertainment Weekly has the lowdown.
Randy Jackson, who is American Idol‘s only original judge left, may have his role reduced to mentor.
After Utah’s NBC affiliate refused to air The New Normal, KUCW, the state’s CW affiliate, agreed to pick up the show.
FX orders 90 more episodes of Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management.
Seth MacFarlane will host the 38th season premiere of Saturday Night Live.
Weekly TV Update: August 6
Each week we bring you stories from around the Internet that you might have missed.
Showtime ends Weeds and The Big C. The season finale of Weeds will air September 16. Date for The Big C have not been announced yet.
Comedy Central roast stalwart Jeffrey Ross offends with a too soon joke about the Aurora, Colorado shootings.
Nick Jonas may become a judge on American Idol.
According to The New York Post, Sharon Osbourne is quitting America’s Got Talent because NBC fired her son from Stars Earn Stripes.
Which new daytime talk show hosts will last? The Hollywood Reporter assesses the pros and cons of all the new daytime hosts.
Mariah Carey Joins American Idol
Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez vacated their judging positions only last week, but one seat on the American Idol judging panel has already been filled by Mariah Carey. Meanwhile, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said at a Television Critics Association meeting that since Lopez told Ryan Seacrest that she was only “99 percent sure” she was leaving, there is a 1 percent chance she will return. Then, Lythgoe went on to contradict himself. He also expressed a desire to keep the show fresh with new judges each season.
Over at The Hollywood Reporter, there are some interesting American Idol related charts, such the following one.
Do you think Mariah Carey will make a good judge? Does American Idol even matter anymore? Tell us what you think in the comments.
Weekly TV Update: July 16
Each week we bring you stories from around the Internet that you might have missed.
Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler leave American Idol.
More American Idol news: Will Aretha Franklin be a new judge?
Aleve may have discovered a way to gets its advertising past a DVR.
Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management keeps losing viewers.
Breaking Bad started a new season last night. Ken Tucker has a review of the show.
Weekly TV Update: July 9
Each week we bring you stories from around the Internet that you might have missed.
Ernest Borgnine dies at 95. Before his death, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Borgnine about his 32 day marriage and his recurring role on Spongebob.
CBS and the cast of Happy Days reach an out of court settlement. The cast, minus Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, were suing because CBS was using their images in merchandising without paying royalties.
Adam Lambert may become the newest judge on American Idol.
Demi Lovato will host the 2012 Teen Choice Awards.
Wait! What's A Dial? 