Miscellaneous Reality TV News
- January 9, 2003
Reuters reports that in a novel blend of TV formats that could hardly be further apart, ABC plans to inject a bit of "reality" -- in this case a search for five of America's sexist men -- into the fantasy world of its popular soap opera "All My Children."
- January 7, 2003
Variety reports that FOX will air an upcoming special entitled "Bridezilla" that will feature a full hour of what the network is calling "matrimonial monsters" who wreak havoc on their loved ones as they prepare to walk down the aisle.
- January 6, 2003
Reuters reports that a cameraman working on a new British reality TV show produced by pop superstar Madonna's husband, was stabbed while filming a stunt designed to trap would-be car thieves. The cameraman was working on a new series called "Swag," produced by Guy Ritchie which uses hidden cameras to film people being tempted into illegal acts, British broadcaster Channel Five said Monday.
- January 6, 2003
Variety reports Fox is developing a trio of way-out-there reality specials -- including a doggie beauty pageant some are dubbing "Miss Bitch" and a multi-species athletic competition boasting, among other things, a team of little people squaring off against an 8,000 lb. elephant.
- December 23, 2002
Variety reports that basic cable network FX is developing a reality program based on Esquire magazine's annual "What It Feels Like" editorial feature. The magazine series, which debuted in Esquire last year, features first-person accounts of experiences such as being bitten by a shark or surviving an avalanche. - December 8, 2002
In a move that shows no matter how low viewers might think that American reality TV has sunk, the British have proven it can sink even much, much further, the UK Independent reports that british celebrities will be shown vomiting and analysing their bowel movements in a new United Kingdom Channel 5 reality show that promises to offer the ultimate form of exposure for struggling C-list stars. Eighties singer Kim Wilde and comedian Richard Blackwood will be among four "contestants" sent to an island to undergo a week of enemas and colonic irrigation in the interests of science – and voyeuristic television viewers.
- November 23, 2002
Call it "Big Brother" meets "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Reuters reports that HBO will air a documentary next month in which patrons of a Nevada brothel happily appear on camera negotiating and consorting with prostitutes. "Cathouse," a one-hour special that HBO will telecast after the season finale of its mob drama "The Sopranos" on December 8th, takes viewers behind closed doors at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch in Carson City, Nevada, where prostitution is legal. The film is part of HBO's "America Undercover" documentary series.
- November 2, 2002
The Hollywood Reporter reports that FOX and Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment are working on a variation on the "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" theme revolving around former pop stars and one-hit wonders looking to resuscitate their careers. Dubbed "Second Chance," the show was dreamed up by Fox's alternative programming guru, Mike Darnell.
- October 1, 2002
Pepsi is floating a proposal for a TV series in which contestants would compete to win the opportunity to travel into outer space, the New York Post reports, according to Zap2It.com. - September 27, 2002
Reuters reports that Germans competing in a new television gameshow will not be bidding to win a luxury car or exotic holiday. In a country where four million people are out of work, the prize is much more sought-after: a job. In a European version of a program on in Argentina, a country reeling from economic crisis, two unemployed people will compete for one job contract in each show.