With 2009 drawing to a close, it's time to take a look back at the year that was. The following is Reality TV World's 2009 Reality TV Year In Review, a 12-part, month-by-month review of some of the past year's reality TV headlines, highlights, lowlights, and milestones.
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Today we continue our 12-day countdown with the seventh installment: July 2009.
- CBS revealsBig Brother's eleventh-season cast and announces it will begin with a "high schools clique" twist. In addition, former Big Brother tenth-season cast member Jessie Godderzenters the eleventh-season house once the competition begins.
- Jon Gosselinaccepts criticism for dating Glassman -- who is either dating him to "get famous" or "upset" about the resulting publicity, according to conflicting reports -- so soon after his separation from Kate.
- Discovery airsPitchmen: A Tribute to Billy Mays and renews the reality series for a second season despite Mays' June death. Mays is also laid to rest in Pennsylvania.
- American Idol judge Kara DioGuardimarries longtime boyfriend Mike McCuddy in Maine.
- The Biggest Loser couple Marty and Amy Wolff welcome a son.
- Reports that American Idol judge Simon Cowell is in talks to launch his U.K. The X Factor reality series in the U.S. surface and he calls a report that he signed a new $144 million contract to continue on Idol "absolute nonsense."
- American Idol host Ryan Seacrestsigns a new $45 million, three-year deal to continue helming the show.
- Original Survivor winner Richard Hatch files a court motion requesting he be allowed to travel to Samoa to film Survivor's twentieth season, which his filing confirms will be an all-stars edition. A judge subsequently denies Hatch's request.
- Former The Hills star Lauren Conrad has her debut novel "L.A. Candy" reach No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers List.
- Marlo and Mark Corliss winHere Come the Newlyweds' second season.
- The future of new A&E reality series that was to follow Michael Jackson and his brothers becomes uncertain after the singer died last month at the age of 50.
- The Hills star Holly Montag reiterates she's not dating fellow former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! participant Sanjaya Malakar but adds the two are "close."
- Reality television shows receive a record 63 Emmy Award nominations, led for the third consecutive year by ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
- A report that Bethenny Frankelis leavingThe Real Housewives of New York City for own Bravo reality series surfaces.
- The Millionaire Matchmaker star Patti Stanger gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend.
- Former American Idol hopeful Alexis Cohen dies at age 25 when she is struck by a car in New Jersey. The vehicle's driver is subsequently charged in her death.
- Former reality television producer Ben Silverman announces he's leaving his position as NBC's programming chief for a new venture.
- American Idol executive producer Ken Warwick signs a new deal to continue with the reality series.
- Former Hogan Knows Best co-stars Hulk and Linda Hogan reach a settlement in their acrimonious divorce.
Premieres:Great American Road Trip (7/7); Big Brother, Season 11 (7/9); Ghost Hunters International, Season 2 (7/9); Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design (7/11); Miami Social (7/14); HGTV Design Star, Season 4 (7/19); Dating in the Dark (7/20); Hell's Kitchen, Season 6 (7/21); The Colony (7/21); More to Love (7/28); The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Season 2 (7/30).
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