HOME > Reality TV News - June 2004
Reality TV News - June 2004
'Idol 3' winner Fantasia Barrino's 'I Believe' single hits #1 with 142,141 units sold
June 30, 2004
American Idol still rules the U.S. charts. But has a little tarnish developed around the edges?
Clay Aiken to perform on PBS on July 4th, then launch concert tour
June 30, 2004
American Idol 2 runner-up and double-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken will perform on PBS's live-from-Washington D.C. Fourth of July broadcast, according to the Associated Press.
CBS reveals the identities of 'Big Brother 5's thirteen houseguests
June 30, 2004
CBS revealed the identities and profile information of the thirteen houseguests who will be competing in its upcoming Big Brother 5 reality show.
NBC moves 'Next Action Star' to Wednesdays
June 30, 2004
With NBC's Next Action Star continuing to draw poor ratings at 8PM on Tuesdays while its 9PM lead-out Last Comic Standing has been setting series ratings records, NBC has decided to do some schedule swapping, moving Next Action Star to Wednesdays at 8PM and the Wednesday time period's previously planned Last Comic Standing encore broadcasts to Tuesdays at 8PM.
Kelly Osbourne rejects heavy metal, opts for pop sound on second album
June 30, 2004
As the fad that accompanied the pioneering MTV reality-documentary show The Osbournes fades away, daughter Kelly Osbourne has finally decided to embrace her real taste in music.
TBS' 'Outback Jack' premieres to over two million viewers
June 29, 2004
The premiere episode of TBS' new Outback Jack reality show debuted to an audience of over two million viewers last week.
'Survivor' winner Amber Brkich and fiance Rob Mariano negotiate for TV wedding
June 29, 2004
The Boston Herald reports that Survivor: All-Stars winner Amber Brkich and her fiance, runner-up "Boston Rob" Mariano, who became engaged during the show's live finale, have continued to negotiate with a couple of TV networks to have their wedding televised "sometime next year."
The Simple Life 2 - Episode 3 summary
June 29, 2004
"Feeling Caliente," our episode summary for the third episode of FOX's The Simple Life 2, written by dajaki, is now available.Endemol sued for chicken deaths in French reality show
June 28, 2004
AFP reports that the French subsidiary of the reality-TV powerhouse Endemol was sued by a French animal-supply organization over the deaths of 16 chickens and the injury to a pony during the filming of a top-rated French reality show
Jackie Kallen joins NBC's 'The Contender' as "den mother" for aspiring boxers
June 28, 2004
Well-known boxing manager Jackie Kallen has joined Mark Burnett's production team for the upcoming NBC series The Contender.
ABC greenlights two 'Wife Swap' spinoffs: 'Husband Swap' and 'Boss Swap'
June 28, 2004
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC has greenlighted two spinoffs of its upcoming Wife Swap series, which features two wives and mothers trading places for 10 days (but apparently without any extramarital canoodling).
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 5 summary
June 28, 2004
"Welcome to the Hotel California," our episode summary for the fifth episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by FesterFan1, is now available.
Spike TV's struggling 'Joe Schmo 2' gets moved to Monday late nights
June 28, 2004
What a difference a year can make. Last fall, Spike TV's The Joe Schmo Show was being touted as the flagship show of the newly relaunched "First Network For Men." This summer, after opening to disappointing ratings in its Tuesdays at 10PM ET/PT time period, Spike TV has decided to move The Joe Schmo Show 2 to Mondays at 11:05PM ET/PT, following its popular WWE RAW wrestling program.
Fox "borrows" another concept -- 'Trading Spouses' rips off ABC's 'Wife Swap'
June 28, 2004
If Bonnie and Clyde came back today, they wouldn't have to rob banks to make a good living as thieves. Instead, they could create "new" Fox reality shows.
Next Action Star - Episode 3 summary
June 28, 2004
"Trapped!," our episode summary for the third episode of NBC's Next Action Star, written by survivorscott, is now available.
Mark Burnett's 'Rock Star' project prompts idea-theft claims ... and a Fox series
June 25, 2004
Who said the Western was dead? All of the theft of intellectual property going on in reality TV these days is leading to more shootouts (albeit behind the scenes) than a John Wayne film festival.
Joe Schmo 2 - Episode 2 summary
June 25, 2004
"Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Pearl Necklace," our episode summary for the second episode of Spike TV's second edition of its The Joe Schmo Show, written by Mon Cherie, is now available.
Outback Jack - Episode 1 summary
June 25, 2004
"Barbies In The Wild," our episode summary for the premiere episode of TBS' Outback Jack series, written by MTW1961, is now available.
Who Wants To Marry My Dad 2 - Episode 1 summary
June 25, 2004
"Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," our episode summary for the premiere episode of NBC's second edition of its Who Wants To Marry My Dad? series, written by volsfan, is now available.
For Love Or Money 3 - Episode 3 summary
June 25, 2004
"Passion House - A Harlequin Romance (Sort of)," our episode summary for the third episode of NBC's third edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by Tiger Lily, is now available.
Fantasia Barrino's debut single opens at #14, as Diana DeGarmo's single waits in wings
June 25, 2004
Time for American Idol 3 to see if it can generate as much success at record stores as it did on the airwaves.
CBS lands Mark Burnett's upcoming INXS 'Rock Star' reality show
June 24, 2004
The bidding war for Survivor and The Apprentice producer Mark Burnett's new reality show that will search for a new lead singer for Australian band INXS is over, with CBS having landed the show.
CBS promises "twisted" changes and new rules for 'Big Brother 5'
June 24, 2004
While still revealing few specific details about its upcoming Big Brother 5 reality show, CBS has started to tease the public with the release of an online promotional video that promises "twisted changes" and new show rules that are intended to penalize manipulative players.
'Idol 2' Marine finalist Josh Gracin's eponymous CD debuts at #11 on U.S. charts
June 23, 2004
Judging by record sales, it's beginning to look like American Idol 2 was the best edition of the hit Fox series at date, as so far even the debut albums from the show's third-and-fourth-place finishers have done as well as that of the runner-up from the first edition.
FOX's 'The Simple Life 2' premieres well, wins time periods
June 23, 2004
The second season of FOX's The Simple Life appeared to pick up where last season's edition of the show left off, as two premiere night episodes of the program once again performed well for the network in the ratings.
ESPN announces 'Dream Job 2' and '3' casting calls, moves second series premiere up to September
June 23, 2004
In a move that demonstrates how pleased ESPN was with the performance of the first season of its Dream Job reality show, the sports network has announced that it is moving the broadcast schedule for its Dream Job 2 sequel up to September and replacing Dream Job 2's originally scheduled Winter 2005 slot with an additional third season of the series. Open casting calls for both editions will begin June 29 in New York.Reality TV "pioneer" bride Darva Conger returns as GSN's 'Vegas Weddings Unveiled' host
June 23, 2004
Does anyone need more proof that reality TV stars will do anything to extend their 15 minutes of fame?
The Casino - Episode 2 summary
June 23, 2004
"Bend, Fold, Spindle, Burnettilate," our episode summary for the second episode of FOX's The Casino series, written by Estee, is now available.
Ratings: NBC's 'Next Action Star' fails to shine in debut
June 22, 2004
The final ratings for last week's debut of the first two episodes of NBC's new Next Action Star reality series, and despite the claims of the network's pre-debut promos, so far the series is shaping to be anything but "the next big thing in reality TV."
Second week of NBC's 'Last Comic Standing 2' continues excellent ratings performance
June 22, 2004
The apparent new-found ratings popularity of the second season of NBC's Last Comic Standing continued last week as the program, a modest hit during last summer's first season, once again drew excellent ratings during its Tuesday and Wednesday evening broadcasts.
TBS' 'Outback Jack' reality dating comedy begins with a leap... and later adds a twist
June 22, 2004
TBS has released some additional details regarding its new "comedic" Outback Jack reality dating show, including information on the show's setup and beginning as well as photos and biographical information about the twelve women appearing on the program and the revelation that midway through its broadcast, the show will feature a Average Joe-like twist.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 4 summary
June 22, 2004
"The One Where Brett Throws Down Her Mic and Stomps Off, replayed over and over again, in case you missed it," our episode summary for the fourth episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by Silvergirl1, is now available.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 3 summary
June 22, 2004
"Boredom and Loathing in Las Vegas," our episode summary for the third episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by FesterFan1, is now available.
The Casino - Episode 1 summary
June 20, 2004
"Betting On The House," our episode summary for the premiere episode of FOX's The Casino series, written by anotherkim, is now available.
For Love Or Money 3 - Episode 2 summary
June 20, 2004
"Another Date, Another Dollar," our episode summary for the second episode of NBC's third edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by cqvenus, is now available.
Jenna Lewis sex tape surfaces on the Internet
June 18, 2004
Survivor All-Stars contestant Jenna Lewis might not be a Hollywood pop star, but clearly someone forgot to point that minor detail out to her.
Next Action Star - Episode 2 summary
June 18, 2004
"If It Bleeds, It Leads," our episode summary for the second episode of NBC's Next Action Star, written by Swami, is now available.
The Simple Life 2 - Episode 2 summary
June 18, 2004
"Killer ducks, flaccid mermaids, and ugly coyotes, Oh my...," our episode summary for the second episode of FOX's The Simple Life 2, written by ballerina_of_doom, is now available.
Next Action Star - Episode 1 summary
June 18, 2004
"Freaks and Geeks," our episode summary for the premiere episode of NBC's Next Action Star, written by I_AM_HE, is now available.
NBC's 'For Love Or Money 3' ratings jump with second episode
June 18, 2004
NBC's For Love Or Money 3 rebounded in the ratings with its second episode, gaining nearly a million additional viewers and defeating the highly-touted premiere of reality titan Mark Burnett's new The Casino series in their first head-to-head showdown.
Mark Burnett reveals additional details of his upcoming INXS 'Rock Star' reality show
June 17, 2004
In an interview conducted with the syndicated Access Hollywood entertainment news program last week, reality uber-producer Mark Burnett revealed numerous additional details regarding his new reality series that will search for a new lead singer for the INXS rock band.
The Simple Life 2 - Episode 1 summary
June 17, 2004
"Much Ado about Nothing," our episode summary for the premiere episode of FOX's The Simple Life 2, written by weltek, is now available.
Joe Schmo 2 - Episode 1 summary
June 17, 2004
"That's Not Jewelry They're Talking About!," our episode summary for the premiere episode of Spike TV's second edition of its The Joe Schmo Show, written by TeamJoisey, is now available.
'Bachelor' Jesse Palmer and Jessica Bowlin announce breakup
June 17, 2004
Better make that "0 for 5." The Bachelor's woeful romance record took another loss today when fifth series bachelor (and rumored to soon be ex-Giants quarterback) Jesse Palmer confirmed to the syndicated Extra entertainment news program that he and Jessica Bowlin, the woman he selected during the program's May finale, have decided to "mutually end their relationship."VH1 reveals identities of 'The Surreal Life 3' housemates, begins filming
June 16, 2004
VH1 announced yesterday that it has selected the cast of The Surreal Life 3 and begun production of the network's inaugural edition of the show.Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg admits to being huge reality TV fan
June 16, 2004
First Michelle Pfeiffer, then Steven Spielberg ... looks like reality TV may have a foothold in Hollywood that extends beyond the Osbourne household and The Surreal Life.
Ratings: FOX's 'The Casino' fails to strike it rich in premiere, draws only 5.8 million viewers
June 16, 2004
From its inception FOX's The Casino series has been compared to producer Mark Burnett's previous non-elimination business startup show, NBC's The Restaurant. And now The Casino apparently has something else in common with The Restaurant -- low ratings.
Jessica Simpson's sister's 'The Ashlee Simpson Show' to debut on MTV on Wednesday, June 16
June 15, 2004
MTV has announced that The Ashlee Simpson Show, a reality series that will follow Jessica Simpson's younger sister Ashlee as she attempts to make the jump from teen actress to pop star, will premiere Wednesday, June 16th at 10:30PM ET/PT.
Third season of MTV's 'Newlyweds' to begin Wednesday, June 16
June 15, 2004
MTV has announced that the third season of Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, the series that follows pop couple Jessica Simpson and Nick Lackey's perpetual television honeymoon, will premiere on Wednesday, June 16 at 10PM ET/PT.
UPN to rebroadcast 'America's Next Top Model' Season One beginning June 15
June 15, 2004
What do you do if you're a fledging network with no new summer reality programming to broadcast? If you're UPN, then apparently you try and air rebroadcasts of the first season of America's Next Top Model, your breakout reality hit that set all-time network ratings records in its recently completed second season but wasn't nearly as popular with audiences during its initial 2003 season.
Bravo's 'Blow Out' premieres to over 645,000 viewers, repeats well
June 14, 2004
While it's clear that Bravo's new Blow Out reality show won't be another break-out summer hit similar to last year's Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, June 8th's Blow Out premiere none the less performed well for the network, drawing 645,000 overall viewers during its 9PM premiere and another 567,000 during its 11PM encore.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 2 summary
June 14, 2004
"Why You Can't Trust NBC Accountants or does ANT even count?," our episode summary for the second episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by Silvergirl1, is now available.
The schmo must go on -- the hijinks continue in Spike TV's 'Joe Schmo 2'
June 14, 2004
Having had huge success with last fall's parodying of the reality competition show sub-genre, Spike TV's The Joe Schmo Show is coming back to skewer another popular reality show format ripe for parody -- and if a first episode screener provided by the network is any indication, viewers will once again enjoy the ride.
Paris Hilton to finally make long-delayed Letterman show appearance on June 14
June 14, 2004
CBS has announced that The Simple Life 2 star Paris Hilton will make her long-delayed first appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman on Monday, June 14.
TBS casting for 'The Real Gilligan's Island' reality show
June 11, 2004
Reality producer Mike Fleiss' Next Entertainment has begun casting for The Real Gilligan's Island, TBS' upcoming reality show adaptation of the classic 1960's sitcom.
'Apprentice' winner Bill Rancic to write book about business success
June 11, 2004
Before you can write a book about business success, don't you first have to succeed at business? Apparently not.
Rocco DiSpirito & Jeffrey Chodorow resume fighting & suing over 'The Restaurant'
June 11, 2004
The cameras may have stopped filming at Rocco's on 22nd, but the battles between the co-founders and co-owners of the eatery, featured on NBC's The Restaurant, rage on nonetheless.
NBC announces 'Who Wants To Marry My Dad 2' cast, moves premiere to June 21
June 11, 2004
In addition to releasing the names, photos, and biographical information of the thirteen women and bachelor who will be appearing on the second edition of its Who Wants To Marry My Dad? series, NBC has announced that the program's debut will be delayed by a week, premiering Monday, June 21 at 10PM ET/PT instead of the originally announced June 14 date.
'Last Comic Standing 2' sets series ratings records during dual premiere week broadcasts
June 11, 2004
The second season of NBC's Last Comic Standing 2 burst onto the airwaves with apparent new-found popularity this week, with its initial episodes reaching ratings highs not since during all of last summer's inaugural season.
For Love Or Money 3 - Episode 1 summary
June 11, 2004
"'I'll Buy That For A Dollar," our episode summary for the season premiere episode of NBC's third edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by tig_ger, is now available.
Mark Burnett pitches competition to find new lead singer for Aussie rockers INXS
June 10, 2004
In a development tinged with both competitive anger and bittersweet irony, Variety reports that reality TV superproducer Mark Burnett Productions ("MBP"), headed by Mark Burnett and Conrad Riggs, is planning a new music-based reality competition show. The show's goal: to find a new lead singer for INXS, the Australian band that was one of the most popular bands in the world during the 1980s and 1990s prior to the untimely death of lead singer Michael Hutchence.
CBS unveils the identities of the eleven 'The Amazing Race 5' couples
June 10, 2004
CBS announced yesterday the identities of the eleven couples apppearing in its upcoming The Amazing Race 5.
NBC's 'For Love Or Money 3' premieres to lackluster ratings
June 10, 2004
NBC's two-hour premiere of the third installment of its For Love Or Money series opened the summer reality show season with lackluster results on Monday evening, drawing only 6.3 million overall viewers and placing third in its time period.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 1 summary
June 10, 2004
"Amateurs Need Not Apply," our episode summary for the season premiere episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by FesterFan1, is now available.
NBC announces casting calls for 'Average Joe's 'Average Jane' edition
June 8, 2004
NBC announced yesterday that it has begun casting for Average Jane, this fall's upcoming gender-twisted next installment of its popular Average Joe reality series.
MTV's thirteenth 'Road Rules' season goes to X-Treme's beginning June 7
June 7, 2004
Road Rules will kick off its thirteenth season of adventure on Monday, June 7th when MTV airs the half-hour season premiere of Road Rules X-TREME at 10PM ET/PT.
NBC unveils 'For Love Or Money 3' program details and cast information, photos
June 6, 2004
NBC has released the names, photos, and biographical information of the sixteen women and bachelor who will be appearing on the third edition of it's For Love Or Money series, premiering Monday, June 7 at 9PM ET/PT.
Bravo's 'Blow Out' "docureality" featuring stylist Jonathan Antin premieres June 8
June 4, 2004
How important was executive producer Mark Burnett to the success of NBC's The Restaurant? Beginning June 8, we'll have a chance to find out.
ABC moves 'Wife Swap' to fall, following 'The Bachelor' on Wednesday nights
June 4, 2004
When you're already mired in last place, why not throw caution to the winds?
NBC's 'The Apprentice' nominated for "Program of the Year" by television critics
June 4, 2004
The Hollywood Reporter reports that the Television Critics Association has nominated NBC's reality-competition hit The Apprentice as one of the five finalists for its 2004 "Program of the Year" award. The other four finalists are Fox's Arrested Development and three cable shows: HBO's The Sopranos and Angels in America and Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (the only repeat nominee from 2003).
Fox shifts 'The Casino' to Monday nights, debuting June 14
June 4, 2004
The only thing that's certain in television scheduling is this: nothing stays the same for very long.
Debut singles from 'Idol' finalists Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo pushed back a week
June 4, 2004
Looks like the American Idol 3 recording sessions are taking longer than RCA Music Group chairman and CEO Clive Davis expected.
'Idol 3' winner Fantasia Barrino and runner-up Diana DeGarmo plan June singles
June 3, 2004
Could we have a repeat brewing of last June's battle between American Idol finalists?
CBS keeps 'The Amazing Race 5' on summer schedule, changes fall airtime of 'Race 6'
June 3, 2004
CBS has confirmed that it will air The Amazing Race 5 during the summer of 2004, beginning on July 6, as it originally planned. Thus, CBS chairman Les Moonves' trial balloon regarding the possibility of delaying TAR5 for the CBS fall schedule, which he trotted out during the network's "upfront" presentations in May, has been punctured.
Original 'Idol' finalist Tamyra Gray's 'The Dreamer' album only debuts at #23 on U.S. charts
June 2, 2004
In a somewhat disappointing debut, American Idol 1 fourth-place finisher Tamyra Gray's debut CD, entitled The Dreamer, only managed to reach #23 in its first week on the Nielsen SoundScan U.S. Album Sales chart (also known as the Billboard 200) for the week ended May 30, 2004. Tamyra's CD thus becomes the first of the five CDs released by Idol finalists through major labels to fail to reach the Top 20 in its debut.
American Idol - Gay Idol Journal, "Live At The Finale"
June 2, 2004
Thought Larry Johnson's Gay Idol Journal commentary was over just because American Idol's season was over? Think again -- Reality TV World arranged for Larry to attend American Idol's live season finale, where he wrote his own unique commentary on the finale.The WB loads up on reality shows -- and Mark Burnett scripted programming -- for 2004-05 season
June 2, 2004
A new name can now be added to the list of prolific yet successful producers of TV shows, joining such celebrities as Jerry Bruckheimer and Dick Wolf: that of reality television superproducer Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice).
'American Idol 3' reject William Hung "sings" at Toronto Blue Jays game
June 2, 2004
To the list of famous singers butchering tunes at baseball games -- a list which proudly includes Ozzy Osbourne and Roseanne Barr -- we can now add the name of William Hung.
'Apprentice' runner-up Kwame Jackson axed as 'MIss Universe' judge
June 1, 2004
Maybe Kwame Jackson, the Harvard Business School graduate who was runner-up on NBC's The Apprentice, just isn't meant to work for Donald Trump. First, Kwame lost out to Bill Rancic in the "hiring" on the finale of the show. Then The Donald hired Kwame as a "temp" -- to be a judge at the 2004 Miss Universe beauty pageant, which Trump sponsors and co-owns along with NBC. But, before the pageant even took place, Kwame was once again out of work.
