HOME > Reality TV News - August 2004
Reality TV News - August 2004
TBS to premiere 'He's A Lady' gender-bendering reality show on October 12
August 31, 2004
TBS, the "very funny" network that recently brought viewers Outback Jack, has announced its next "fish out of water" reality show concept -- He's A Lady, a gender-bending series that will give eleven macho men the opportunity to walk a mile in women’s shoes when they are given a complete feminine makeover.
Fox moves its new 'The Complex' reality series to Friday evenings
August 31, 2004
After having originally announced that its new The Complex series would air Mondays at 9PM ET/PT following its special two-hour Monday, August 30 premiere, Fox has decided to move the series to Fridays at 8PM ET/PT beginning with its Friday, September 3 second episode.
Fox retitles 'Family Time' to 'Renovate My Family', moves premiere to September 1
August 31, 2004
After having originally announced that its new "ultimate family makeover" series, previously assigned the working title of Family Time, would premiere Tuesday, September 7 at 9PM ET/PT and then air twice weekly, Fox has decided to premiere the series (now titled Renovate My Family) on Wednesday, September 1 at 8PM ET/PT and have subsequent episodes of the series air Mondays at 9PM ET/PT.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 22 summary
August 30, 2004
"Project DNA: Discussing Natalie Again," our episode summary for the twenty-second episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by Jims02, is now available.
NBC reveals identities of 'The Apprentice 2's eighteen contestants
August 30, 2004
With its season premiere quickly approaching and promotional commercials featuring the cast having already been airing for several weeks, NBC has finally officially revealed the identities and backgrounds of the eighteen new contestants that will be competing in The Apprentice 2.
CBS to air Tommy Hilfiger fashion trendsetter reality competition show
August 27, 2004
If the likes of real estate developer Donald Trump, supermodel Tyra Banks, and even Tommy Hilfiger's teenage daughter can have their own reality shows, then why can't the famous fashion designer himself?
Twin Killing -- Natalie Carroll becomes the seventh houseguest to be evicted from the 'Big Brother 5' house
August 27, 2004
After being nominated for eviction by Jennifer Dedmon (aka "Nakomis"), the seventh Head of Household, Natalie Carroll was evicted last night from the Big Brother 5 house by her fellow houseguests.
A&E's new 'Dog The Bounty Hunter' series to premiere August 31
August 27, 2004
Move over Gotti, there's a new top dog in town. A&E, the network that's been taking viewers into the skies with Airline, behind the scenes of a funeral home with Family Plots, and into the home of the daughter of convicted New York crime boss John Gotti will now also taking them on the trail of bail jumpers with Dog The Bounty Hunter.
'For Love Or Money' star Rachel Veltri breaks up with Caleb Janus, considers 'Playboy' exposure
August 26, 2004
Perhaps Rachel should just have taken the money after all.
The Amazing Race 5 - Episode 8 summary
August 26, 2004
"Cash? Not!: A Lovely Bunching, And Colin's Nuts," our episode summary for the eighth episode of CBS' The Amazing Race 5 series, written by Estee, is now available.
Fox moves 'The Next Great Champ' premiere to September 7 as 'The Contender' producers sue
August 25, 2004
The "Great Reality TV Show Controversy of 2004" masterminded by Fox is finally headed to court ... despite a late date change by Fox that looked like an effort to circumvent the court fight (although Fox denies any intent to do so).
Big Brother 5 - Episode 21 summary
August 25, 2004
"Screw Your Sibling," our episode summary for the twenty-first episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by GuessItRains, is now available.
Fox's 'Trading Spouses' conducting open casting calls for more families
August 25, 2004
With Fox having recently doubled the size of its initial Trading Spouses episode order from ten episode to twenty as a result of the show's strong initial ratings, that can only mean two things -- more open casting calls... and the careful use of the six remaining original episodes that the network has available for broadcast.
PAX TV's Larissa Meek-hosted 'Model Citizens' reality series to debut October 4
August 25, 2004
PAX TV's has announced that Model Citizens, its new reality series hosted by former Average Joe Hawaii and Miss USA finalist Larissa Meek, will premiere Monday, October 4 at 9PM ET/PT.
CNBC to repeat 'The Apprentice 2' episodes on Fridays and Tuesdays
August 25, 2004
Worried about missing an episode of the upcoming second season of The Apprentice? Well, assuming you have cable or a satellite dish, don't be, as NBC will be giving you upwards of five chances a week to watch the show.
MTV's 'Real World: Philadelphia' to feature August 24 casting special, premiere September 7
August 24, 2004
MTV has announced that the fifteenth season of its popular The Real World series, set in Philadelphia, will premiere Tuesday, September 7 at 10PM ET/PT and officially released the identities of the "seven strangers" that will be living together this season. But despite the announcement, MTV will still milk its long-running reality franchise for everything it can by airing an Out of My Way, I’m Moving In: Tips For Getting Into The Real World one-hour casting special tonight, August 24, at 10PM ET/PT.
ABC's sixth 'Bachelor' edition to feature two initial bachelors -- and two "All-Star" bachelorettes
August 23, 2004
Apparently considering turnabout fair play, ABC has announced that the sixth installment of its The Bachelor series will borrow a couple of elements from other reality dating shows (all of which were pretty much derivatives of ABC's own original reality dating series) and feature two initial bachelors -- as well as the later return of two bachelorettes who appeared on previous editions of the series.
NBC's 'Last Comic Standing 3' to feature over $500,000 in prizes, plus many twists and turns
August 23, 2004
Wondering what could have convinced some of the now successful comics of last summer's original Last Comic Standing series to come back from this fall's Last Comic Standing 3? In a word, money -- and quite a bit of it.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 20 summary
August 23, 2004
"'Can we get a dictionary in the Big Brother house?," our episode summary for the twentieth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by volsfan, is now available.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 19 summary
August 20, 2004
"Karma Diem!!," our episode summary for the nineteenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by AMAI, is now available.
Will Wikle becomes the sixth houseguest to be evicted from the 'Big Brother 5' house
August 20, 2004
After being nominated for eviction by twin Adria Klein, the show's sixth Head of Household, Will Wikle was evicted last night from the Big Brother 5 house by his fellow houseguests.
The Amazing Race 5 - Episode 7 summary
August 20, 2004
"Only In Kenya!," our episode summary for the seventh episode of CBS' The Amazing Race 5 series, written by I_AM_HE, is now available.
CBS to award soap opera appearance to 'Big Brother 5' houseguest via 'America's Choice' vote
August 19, 2004
Well this news must gnaw at self-described "working actor" and latest Big Brother 5 ejectee Jase Wirey. CBS has announced that beginning tonight, it will launch this season's "America's Choice" viewer voting polls with a prize that several of the entertainment career-seeking houseguests will no doubt salivate over -- a walk-on role on CBS's long-running The Young And The Restless soap opera.
NBC schedules 'Last Comic Standing 3' "preview" special for August 30
August 19, 2004
Apparently oblivious to the ratings decline that the second season of its Last Comic Standing series received as it limped to the end of its overprogrammed run, NBC executives have decided to waste no time in overexposing the upcoming Last Comic Standing 3.
Report: Britney Spears and fiance "in talks" to take over MTV's 'Newlyweds' series
August 18, 2004
Jessica Simpson might have told the press that after three seasons, she and hubby Nick Lachey are done with their MTV Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica reality series, but leave it to MTV land an even bigger "pop princess" to take her place. According to US Weekly, Britney Spears, the queen of the pop princesses herself, is now "in talks" to take over the "title role" on Jessica's Newlyweds series.
CBS officially announces identities of 'Survivor: Vanuatu's eighteen castaways
August 17, 2004
Despite the fact that online sleuths managed to identify the names of all eighteen of its castmembers over the last few weeks, CBS has officially announced the names and biographical information of the castaways who will compete in Survivor: Vanuatu -- Islands of Fire, which premieres Thursday, September 16 at 8PM ET/PT.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 17 summary
August 17, 2004
"Take One For The Team," our episode summary for the seventeenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by samboohoo, is now available.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 16 summary
August 17, 2004
"The Urinator!," our episode summary for the sixteenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by volsfan, is now available.
Joe Schmo 2 - Finale episode summary
August 17, 2004
"Schmo No More," our episode summary for the season finale episode of Spike TV's second edition of its The Joe Schmo Show, written by woeisme1, is now available.
For Love Or Money 4 - Finale Part Two summary
August 17, 2004
"Season Finale Part Two," our episode summary for the second hour of NBC's special two-hour finale episode of the fourth edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by DebCapsFan, is now available.
For Love Or Money 4 - Finale Part One summary
August 17, 2004
"Season Finale Part One," our episode summary for the first hour of NBC's special two-hour finale episode of the fourth edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by Mon Cherie, is now available.
Ashlee Simpson's 'Autobiography' album returns to top of U.S. sales charts, selling 285,000 copies
August 16, 2004
Once again, Ashlee Simpson stands alone in a place her sister has never been: atop the U.S. album charts.
Outback Jack - Finale episode summary
August 13, 2004
"Roll Credits, Close Set, Kiss Sheila," our episode summary for the eighth and final episode of TBS' Outback Jack series, written by Estee, is now available.
Jase Wirey becomes the fifth houseguest to be evicted from the 'Big Brother 5' house
August 13, 2004
After being nominated for eviction by Jennifer Dedmon, the fifth Head of Household, Jase Wirey was evicted last night from the Big Brother 5 house by his fellow houseguests.
Fox's 'Family Time' "ultimate family makeover" show to premiere September 7
August 12, 2004
Give Fox credit -- some of their reality concepts might not be original, but they certainly seem to know how to get a show to the airwaves quickly.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 15 summary
August 12, 2004
"Not the Brightest Bulb in the Box," our episode summary for the fifteenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by strid333, is now available.
'Outback Jack's Vadim Dale selects Natalie Franzman over Marissa Clark in series finale
August 12, 2004
Australian Vadim Dale chose Natalie Franzman to be his city girl girlfriend during Tuesday night's finale of TBS's Outback Jack, passing on "boomerang" returnee Marissa Clark in the process.
Second season of 'Starting Over' to premiere September 13, feature new city, new cast
August 11, 2004
Starting Over, the syndicated real-life daytime drama from the Bunim-Murray Productions folks behind MTV's The Real World series, has started production on its second season which will premiere on September 13, 2004.
Rachel Veltri selects Caleb Janus over $1,000,000 prize during 'For Love Or Money 4' finale
August 11, 2004
Rachel Veltri, the 26-year-old Chicago flight attendant who'd been rejected by bachelor Preston Mercer during last month's For Love Or Money 3, picked love over money in Monday night's finale of her own For Love Or Money edition, choosing Caleb Janus, a 30-year-old realtor from Phoenix, AZ over a $1,000,000 prize.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 14 summary
August 10, 2004
"An Alliance of One," our episode summary for the fourteenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by bdemoney, is now available.
The Amazing Race 5 - Episode 5 summary
August 10, 2004
"A Tough Act To Follow," our episode summary for the fifth episode of CBS' The Amazing Race 5 series, written by thetick, is now available.
Fox's 'The Next Great Champ' to premiere September 10
August 10, 2004
Officially confirming reports that have circulated for several weeks, Fox has announced that its The Next Great Champ reality boxing series will premiere on Friday, September 10 at 9PM ET/PT.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 13 summary
August 9, 2004
"Project DNA: Discovering Natalie & Adria," our episode summary for the thirteenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by Jims02, is now available.
The Simple Life 2 - Finale episode summary
August 9, 2004
"The One With the Cowboys," our episode summary for the finale episode of FOX's The Simple Life 2, written by ballerina_of_doom, is now available.
The Simple Life 2 - Episode 9 summary
August 9, 2004
"You Had Me at Boo-Yah," our episode summary for the ninth episode of FOX's The Simple Life 2, written by ballerina_of_doom, is now available.
Outback Jack - Episode 7 summary
August 9, 2004
"Can’t I Just Keep All Three?," our episode summary for the seventh episode of TBS' Outback Jack series, written by MTW1961, is now available.
Who Wants To Marry My Dad 2 - Finale episode summary
August 9, 2004
"Turn On The Water Works," our episode summary for the finale episode of NBC's second edition of its Who Wants To Marry My Dad? series, written by MTW1961, is now available.
CBS picks up Mark Burnett's controversial child-rescue 'Recovery' show for midseason
August 9, 2004
One of the rare flops in the body of work of reality-TV "superproducer" Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Apprentice, The Restaurant) was a USA Networks show called Combat Missions, featuring former military and law enforcement personnel performing various rescues and stealth operations. According to viewers, one of the reasons that it flopped was that the "good guys" had to fight an unconvincing "shadow squad" of bad guys.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 12 summary
August 6, 2004
"The Final Six," our episode summary for the twelfth episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by Silvergirl1, is now available.
Joe Schmo 2 - Episode 8 summary
August 6, 2004
"Do The Pepto-mint Twist," our episode summary for the eighth episode of Spike TV's second edition of its The Joe Schmo Show, written by Esbea, is now available.
Scott Long becomes the fourth houseguest evicted from the 'Big Brother 5' house... and Adria's twin enters
August 6, 2004
After being nominated for eviction by Diane Henry, the fourth Head of Household, Scott Long was evicted last night from the Big Brother 5 house by his fellow houseguests.
Former 'Apprentice' Ereka Vetrini lands gig on Tony Danza's new upcoming daytime talk show
August 5, 2004
Move over Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Kit Hoover, another former reality TV contestant has landed a regular gig on daytime television. The producers of Tony Danza's upcoming ABC daily talk show have announced that former The Apprentice contestant Ereka Vetrini will join Danza as his announcer and sidekick on Danza 's new The Tony Danza Show.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 12 summary
August 5, 2004
"Dumb, Dumber, and Dumbest!," our episode summary for the twelfth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by volsfan, is now available.
'Bachelor 3' fiancee Jen Schefft to star as ABC's next 'Bachelorette'
August 4, 2004
Multimillionaire Andrew Firestone proposed to her, equivocated, and then decided that he preferred skirt-chasing to monogamy. Donald Trump's Apprentice Bill Rancic -- who had been under consideration for Andrew's role on Bachelor 3 -- also dated her before she realized that he was too similar to Andrew. Now she has a chance to do it her way.
UPN moves 'The Player' to Wednesdays after 'Amish In The City'
August 4, 2004
As any reality television viewer is well aware, Tuesdays at 9PM ET/PT has become a reality logjam this summer season, with no fewer than three reality programs (CBS's Big Brother, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and TBS's Outback Jack) regularly airing in the time period.
Ashlee Simpson's 'Autobiography' drops to #2 in U.S. -- but sells 269,000 units
August 4, 2004
Only the debut of a cross-label smash could deny Ashlee Simpson's debut Geffin CD Autobiography a second week at #1 in the U.S.
For Love Or Money 4 - Episode 4 summary
August 4, 2004
"Four Dates and aFuneralElimination," our episode summary for the fourth episode of NBC's fourth edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by Mon Cherie, is now available.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 11 summary
August 4, 2004
"The Big Brother Drinking Game - Version 5.11," our episode summary for the eleventh episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by BennyBoy, is now available.
Fox announces 'Family Time' "family makeover" show... 'Trading Spouses' Biggins family to appear in premiere
August 4, 2004
Is it the ultimate capstone in Fox's string of concept and execution thefts? Or is it a new idea for a show with some repackaging and borrowing to make it seem more familiar? Those are the questions surrounding Fox's new reality show Family Time, a show focusing on the "ultimate family makeover."
Marty Okland proposes to Stacy Leutner in 'Who Wants to Marry My Dad? 2' finale
August 4, 2004
The finale of NBC's Who Wants to Marry My Dad? 2 produced something that hadn't been seen on a reality-dating show for a long time: a formal proposal of marriage. Whether it will produce something that has only been seen once -- a wedding -- is less clear.
Next Action Star - Finale episode summary
August 4, 2004
"You Hate Me, You Really Hate Me!," our episode summary for the eighth and final episode of NBC's Next Action Star, written by Megacanuck, is now available.
NBC and Sports Illustrated team together for swimsuit model reality competition show
August 3, 2004
Move over Tyra Banks and UPN, NBC and Sports Illustrated have announced that they are teaming together to create a modeling reality competition of their own, The Sports Illustrated Fresh Faces Competition.
Copycat or not, Fox's 'Trading Spouses' series finding ratings success
August 3, 2004
Who says copying is bad for you?
CBS accepting applications for 'The Amazing Race 7'
August 3, 2004
With The Amazing Race ending its "summer programming" status of the past two years and once again rejoining CBS's traditional Fall/Winter/Spring programming schedule, one thing is clear -- CBS is going to need to start producing more Amazing Race editions more frequently -- and quickly.
Fox to burn off remaining 'The Casino' episodes with dual Sunday/Monday broadcasts
August 2, 2004
This hasn't been the best few months for reality uber-producer Mark Burnett. First NBC pulled the second season of his The Restaurant series off the schedule and later burned off the remaining episodes on Saturday nights. Now Fox has announced that it's apparently so anxious to get his extremely disappointing The Casino series off the its airwaves that the show will air twice weekly for the duration of its thirteen episode run.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 10 summary
August 2, 2004
"Have a Jolly Holly Exit," our episode summary for the tenth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by ginger, is now available.
The Amazing Race 5 - Episode 4 summary
August 2, 2004
"I Promise Not To Caviar In Your Mouth," our episode summary for the fourth episode of CBS' The Amazing Race 5 series, written by landruajm, is now available.
Last Comic Standing 2 - Episode 10 summary
August 2, 2004
"5 Card Stud: Jokers and Queens are Not So Wild," our episode summary for the tenth episode of NBC's second edition of its Last Comic Standing series, written by Silvergirl1, is now available.
Outback Jack - Episode 6 summary
August 2, 2004
"The One Where Estee Almost Gets Banned," our episode summary for the sixth episode of TBS' Outback Jack series, written by Estee, is now available.
Big Brother 5 - Episode 9 summary
August 2, 2004
"I'm Not, Like, A Mastermind," our episode summary for the ninth episode of CBS' Big Brother 5 series, written by J Slice, is now available.
For Love Or Money 4 - Episode 3 summary
August 2, 2004
"The Great Check Swap," our episode summary for the third episode of NBC's fourth edition of its For Love Or Money series, written by DebCapsFan, is now available.
