Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Simon Cowell sounds off on contestants

While "American Idol, which is currently in season nine, has always had a large audience and many votes, it's obvious to some that many people may watch it for reasons other than to hear the contestants sing. One reason is the comments made by Simon Cowell. Cowell gets picked on by viewers and media outlets for sometimes being too harsh, but other people believe Cowell makes the show what it is. In fact, Cowell said he will be leaving the show soon and it has brought up questions of how good the show would be without him.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Casey James' "best" performance saves him from elimination on "American Idol"

Casey James, contestant on this season's American Idol, had what the Simon Cowell called the best performance of the night with the song "Jealous Guy" on Tuesday night's "American Idol."

Reality TV: viewers just can’t get enough

By CARRIE RACOSTA

Reality TV is where we realize the nation is full of girls who are “16 and Pregnant” and possibly in need of an “Intervention.” It is where we see and believe that our boyfriends have “Tool Academy” potential and we may be better off with “The Bachelor.”


Rachel Zoe is going to tell us what to wear, with her "project." You can ditch your family member for a week on “Wife Swap.” Kim Kardashian and her clan’s seemingly staged show, makes us squeal at scripted incidents that were made possible by the media launch of one lusty sex tape. Imagine what you could do with yours. And, Ryan Seacrest’s image is forever implanted in your head. You see more of him than President Barack Obama or your family for that matter.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Save the D-list celebrities: VH1's profitable formula for reality TV continues

By CARRIE RACOSTA
Vh1 has turned itself into one of the biggest reality television successes in the past several years.  As music television of all networks turns away from the video emphasis, VH1 made a profitable decision to go to the increasingly popular route of reality programming. They have a string of successful and much talked about programs which prove endlessly entertaining, even to viewers who typically wouldn’t consider themselves a reality TV buff.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Mom of eight, former dancer compete on "Dancing with the Stars"

By CARRIE RACOSTA

“Dancing with the Stars” has always been pretty good about selecting celebrities with minimal dance background.

There have been a few exceptions, including the chorography king Joey Fatone and ice dancer Kristi Yamaguchi.

This season seems to be unfair to the rest of the participants because of dancer and musical artist Nicole Scherzinger. Scherzinger, famous for her lead singer status with the Pussycat Dolls, is a standout on this season’s reality dance competition.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Surge in reality television affects stars, viewers, networks

By KAITLIN DOYLE 

DEC. 16-Four reality television shows are in the top five most popular regularly syndicated TV shows for 2009 according to the The Nielsen Company. 

Larry Juchartz, who holds a Ph.D in English and is a professor at Mott Community College (MCC) as well as a member of the Popular Culture Association (PCA), believes that high ratings support that an increase of reality TV in the past few years has been a good choice for networks.

"The one-hour drama is the most expensive type of show to make, while the 30-minute reality show is the least expensive," he said. "So networks have flocked to the latter."

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Velvick, Delgado latest "Bachelor" couple to split

Season six bachelor from ABCs "The Bachelor" Bryon Velvick and the woman he chose on the show, Mary Delgado have now split after five years of being together.

This makes Velvick not only the latest bachelor to end a relationship, but also adds him to the list of all other relationships that have failed from the show. In fact, he was the last one and now every relationship started on the show is reportedly over. Well, that is with the exception of the last bachelor, Jason Mesnick, who seems to still be dating the girl he left as runner-up after breaking off an engagement with the woman he actually chose.



"Rad and Bad Reality" hopes that at least one relationship in the future of "The Bachelor" will last at least forever, or maybe a couple will at least make it down the aisle. It is hard to really want to watch future seasons of the show knowing that no one has stayed together (except the guy who changed his mind). In the real world, it's a little harder to just decide who you want, even if you already told them you didn't want them, and then have them come right back. But, for lack of anything better to watch, and a love for reality TV, "Rad and Bad Reality" will watch next season anyway.

"Rad and Bad Reality" believes this is important because "The Bachelor" is one of the biggest reality TV shows and was actually one of the first, with the new season, which airs on Jan. 4, being the 14 season. A post like this mainly reflects the traditional news value of audience. The audience was absolutely shocked when Mesnick picked his runner-up and many viewers are always shocked to learn of a relationship ending. When the show is on, much discussion of the show can be heard by viewers in person and on the Internet. This show has a following of people who watch it every season and the audience plays a very crucial role in the show, including in news about couples breaking up after meeting on the show.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

"American Idol" contestant Matt Giraud returns home for sold-out performances

Matt Giraud, season eight "American Idol" contestant recently returned to his home state of Michigan to perform two sold-out shows at Cornerstone Church in Caledonia, a village and township about 50 miles from his home city, Kalamazoo.

Tickets for the show cost $10 and included a concert, a meet and greet (with autographs for the first 200 fans) and free snacks. The meet and greet and snacks were after the first show, at 3:30 p.m., and before the second show at 7:30 p.m.. Fireworks followed the 7:30 p.m. show. Flash photograph and video were not allowed at the event. 

Giraud is known by some as a "piano man" and played piano throughout the entire performance, only switching to a keyboard for a few songs. The piano was also the only instrument used, aside from Giraud's vocals.


Matt Giraud performing at one of his sold-out shows at Cornerstone Church. Photo Credit: WittyBlonde

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Adam Lambert dances, gropes his way to controversy

Adam Lambert, second place finisher on season eight of "American Idol" put on quite the performance at the 2009 American Music Awards on Nov. 22.

Lambert busted out some of the crazy vocals he was known for on the show, but also went a bit further than he ever did on idol. Several of his dancers were dressed in leather and one was on a leash. Lambert put a dancer's face into his crotch and simulated a sexual act that caused caused ABC to cut to an overhead shot of the audience and kissed a male dancer.

First a marriage, now a show: "Jon and Kate Plus 8" officially over

After much speculation of the show ending, or being called "Kate Plus 8" instead, the series finale of “Jon and Kate Plus 8” finally aired on Nov. 23. TLC gave the show a one hour time spot from 9-10 p.m.

The show opened with Kate talking about the fact that the children got to do and see things they otherwise wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for the show. She seemed very grateful for the show and also very sad to see that it was ending. She said her goals are different than Jon’s and her number one priority is and always will be her children. Kate said that she is stronger than she ever thought possible and now knows who her true friends are. She never envisioned how the show would end, but she thinks it ending now is too soon. She also mentioned the fact that the children do not know about Jon's girlfriend.

Jon spoke of the fact that he met Kate when he was 20, got married at 22, had children at 23 and only felt free after the divorce. He admitted that he still has some growing up to do, takes some of the blame now and will be there for the children no matter what.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Be back soon!

"Rad and Bad Reality" is taking a break to catch up on homework, work and hopefully sleep. Posts will resume on Dec. 1! 

Friday, November 20, 2009

Love finds even the biggest losers

"The Biggest Loser" contestant Rebecca Meyer may have lost weight (and the competition), but she gained something as well. Meyer gained love.

Meyer recently told Jay Leno that she is now in a relationship with other former contestant Daniel Wright.

Meyer got kicked off the show just one week after Wright and said, "Daniel was my best friend, is my best friend. Leaving the show we talked -- like five, six hour conversations -- and then, you know, he told me he had feelings."

Meyer also told Leno that it was easy for her to connect with Wright because they have been through the same things. She also said she fell in love with her best friend.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Nicole crowned "America's Next Top Model"

Tonight was the season finale of "America's Next Top Model."

The final two were Laura and Nicole, as chosen last week. Both models had to shoot photos for Covergirl and make a commercial together. Laura was nervous about the commercial because she is dyslexic, but seemed to do fairly well. Coach Jay Manuel told Nicole she seemed snobbish in her commercial. The judges were surprised with Laura's performance in the commercial because they could understand her even through her thick southern dialect. However, they didn't seem fond of Nicole's because she, "Threw her model out the door," according to host Tyra Banks.

The models also had to participate in a fashion show. Some contestants who had previously been sent home participated in the show as well. The fashion show was about "elements" and the models had to walk down the runway in such things as wind and water.

In the end, the judges seemed to like things about each model, but Nicole was declared the winner. She is the first petite model to ever win "ANTM."

Pratt Attack: Al Roker victim of Spencer Pratt's Twitter Tantrum

Spencer Pratt from "The Hills" is a little upset after "The Today Show" canceled an interview between him, his wife Heidi Montag and Al Roker on Nov. 16. He is so upset in fact that he let the world know via his Twitter.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Makeovers and Weightloss: "The Biggest Loser" contestants look drastically different

On tonight's episode of "The Biggest Loser," the contestants returned to Washington D.C. and met host Alison Sweeney outside of the ranch they live in.

The contestants were surprised with by Tabatha Coffey from "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" and Tim Gunn from "Project Runway." The makeovers were given to the contestants before they had to give inspirational speeches about their experiences on the show and what it has been like to lose weight.

All contestants were surprised by their family members before giving the speeches to an audience of more than 300 that included many overweight individuals. The speeches were very inspiring and motivational. Every speech seemed to touch people in the audience in different ways and many tears were shed.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

"The Hills" star arrested--unfortunately, it's neither Spencer nor Heidi

"The Hills" star Stephanie Pratt, 23, has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving charges in Los Angeles and will enroll in a 30-day rehab facility.

According to police records, Pratt was arrested at 3:45 a.m. on Oct. 18 and released around 10:30 a.m. the same day.

According to People.com, in October, at the time of her arrest, she said that being arrested "was the worst thing to happen to me and, at the same time, it was the biggest blessing."

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Simon Cowell makes $75 million a year by telling people they suck

"Rad and Bad Reality" was absolutely stoked (in a, "See, we knew this reality thing was a big deal" kind of way) to hear that the three men who make the most money in prime-time television are reality stars.

This is all according to Forbes.com, which states that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell is the best paid man in prime-time. "American Idol" had an average weekly audience of 27 million viewers last season and US Magazine states that between the dates of June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009, Cowell made $75 million. He seems to have made a pretty good career for himself by telling people they can't sing on national TV.

Second on the list is Donald Trump, star of the reality show "The Apprentice" who made an estimated $50 million this year. Ryan Seacrest, host of "American Idol" banked about $38 million this year. Seacrest also produces reality shows "Keeping up with the Kardasians" and "Denise Richards: It's complicated." He signed a three-year contract for $45 million, but that will count toward next year's earnings.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"Ghost Hunters" trainees on their way to three million (and maybe a few more) viewers

A spin-off of the SyFy channel reality show "Ghost Hunters," "Ghost Hunters Academy" premiered tonight at 10 p.m.

This show follows ghost hunting trainees as they learn the in and outs of the ghost hunting world.

The episode began by showing the viewers who the trainees will be. There are only five of them, Susan, Ben, Chris, Heathyr, and Karl. Two members of "TAPS," the ghost hunting team on "Ghost Hunters," Steve and Tango, are the trainers throughout the entire season. Grant and Jason, the TAPS founders kicked off the episode by warning the trainees that they should not mess up or will be kicked off quickly because there are many other people that want to be in the competition, in which one person will be chosen as a TAPS team member in the end.

Heathyr revealed immediately that she is a medium, a person who can communicate with the dead. Because of her ability, she chose not to tour the facility of her first investigation in Philadelphia. She felt that it would give her a bias because she would know things she wanted to find out on her own.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

David Hasselhoff more popular in America than Germany?

David Hasselhoff may soon finally be more popular in his home country than he is in Germany thanks to the possibility of a new reality show in the works on A&E.

The train wreck that is Hasselhoff's life is rumored to become a reality show where he will star along side his daughters Hayley and Taylor.

Hayley tweeted last week that "the Hasselhoffs signed the deal with A&E...get readdyy for it." The Tweet is no longer available on her Twitter page.

There is currently no air date set, but a representation of A&E told E! News, "We are in discussions about the possibility of a series, but nothing official at this time.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Stop the spanking: Supernanny offers better ways to discipline misbehaving children

On the latest episode of "Supernanny," which aired Nov. 6, Supernanny Jo Frost had to deal with something she doesn't exactly enjoy. Frost has made it well-known in a few episodes that she does not believe in corporal punishment, including spanking.

When it comes to discipline, Frost is actually more of a believer in children sitting in time out for one minute per year, until they have been in time out for as long as the age they currently are.

But, the parents in tonight's episode, "Phelps Family," did spank their children and didn't follow the time out rule.

The family consisted of the parents and four boys. At one point, one child fell down the stairs, but luckily avoided serious injuries. The parents fought often and Frost tried to help with that as well.