And they’re off…
Some shows are off to a great start; others are just off the air, where they belong.
Hi, my name is Shayna, and I'm the reality TV junkie.
I'm happy to report that, in spite of all my TV watching, I still have some good judgment. I gave up on Fox's "My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss" after suffering through a couple of episodes. It got canceled. I boycotted CBS's "The Will" entirely. It got canceled after only one episode. I'm not sure what "Who's Your Daddy?" was all about and I don't want to know, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, it seems that my wish for some excitement in the new year has come true. I'm enthralled by NBC's newest entry, "Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search." I always enjoyed the magazine's televised specials, and I think the reality contest angle is a perfect fit. This is the big time, folks: The prize includes a spread in the annual blockbuster issue, of course, but it also grants the winner a $1 million contract with Next Model Management. Kind of blows Tyra Banks' model-rama reality show out of the water!
Reality redux
"The Bachelorette"
Mon., 9 p.m., ABC
I do think the oft-repeated claim on the season opener that "America fell in love" with bachelorette Jen Schefft was a bit much. I think she was the popular choice when she was romanced and proposed to by Andrew Firestone on "The Bachelor," though I'd hardly call her, as host Chris Harrison did umpteen times, "America's sweetheart." At least not yet. The perky blonde from Chicago does have plenty going for her; she's sweet and highly watchable, which makes rooting for her a second time OK in my book.
As for her 15 suitors (10 were eliminated on the first episode), there's one hottie I'd like to get my hands on if Jen doesn't want him: Jerry. I know, big surprise, right? I'm sure half the women in America would be lined up right behind me, given the chance. (Make that in front of me, knowing my luck.) One question: Does anybody else think it's odd that two (2!) of the remaining bachelors are virgins? There's the 28-year-old pro marathoner, Josh, and the 29-year-old motivational speaker, Jason. Oh, give me a break. It's weird and you know it!
"Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search"
Wed., 8 p.m., NBC
As I've already mentioned, the stakes on this show are high. There's no denying that a stint in "Sports Illustrated" is a one-way ticket to stardom. And the winner definitely won't be hurting in the pocketbook. But what makes this show fun to watch is the insider's view of a cutthroat industry. You know it's tough when thousands of women were culled to find the dozen who made it on the air and the judges still have no problem pointing out their faults.
Speaking of the judges, thank goodness for supermodel Roshumba Williams. She's an expert without being a know-it-all and she treats the contestants with respect, which is more than I can say for Joel Wilkenfeld, the hard-edged president of Next Model Management, who doesn't hesitate to tell one hopeful that she has a saggy ass and another that she's nothing special. Jeez, Joel, lighten up! Jule Campbell, founding editor of the magazine, rounds out the judges panel, but I fear she's too easily bowled over by the others to make her voice of reason heard.
The hook of the show (as if a bunch of bikini babes weren't enough)? The audience will vote for the winner, à la "American Idol," on the series finale in February. Not sure who I'm pulling for yet. Shannon's certainly the nicest, as far as I can tell. But it'd be hard to beat Jenna's smolder factor on the beach. Time will certainly tell
"BMOC"
Finale airs Wed., 9 p.m., WB
You may recall that I wasn't exactly impressed with Matt, the "sensitive stud" the girls of the University of Central Florida picked to be their Big Man on Campus. A few more episodes haven't changed my mind much. He's a player in nice guy's clothing, plain and simple. But who can really blame him? Like one of the fathers of a finalist said after meeting Matt: "He's a typical 21-year-old guy."
The finalists, if you care, are doe-eyed Michaela, the 18-year-old freshman who was second runner-up in the Miss Teen Florida USA Pageant, and another Florida darling, 19-year-old buxom brunette Alexandra. Seems to me ole Matt just can't lose.
"Drawn Together"
Wed., 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
A friend and colleague (but no real particular fan of reality TV) has been after me to watch this animated reality show by Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein. He calls it "a sick and twisted animated parody of reality TV." At last, I've got an episode taped on TiVo. I'm afraid. Very afraid.
Write to the Reality TV Junkie at tvjunkie@latimes.com.
I'm happy to report that, in spite of all my TV watching, I still have some good judgment. I gave up on Fox's "My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss" after suffering through a couple of episodes. It got canceled. I boycotted CBS's "The Will" entirely. It got canceled after only one episode. I'm not sure what "Who's Your Daddy?" was all about and I don't want to know, thank you very much.
Meanwhile, it seems that my wish for some excitement in the new year has come true. I'm enthralled by NBC's newest entry, "Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search." I always enjoyed the magazine's televised specials, and I think the reality contest angle is a perfect fit. This is the big time, folks: The prize includes a spread in the annual blockbuster issue, of course, but it also grants the winner a $1 million contract with Next Model Management. Kind of blows Tyra Banks' model-rama reality show out of the water!
Reality redux
"The Bachelorette"
Mon., 9 p.m., ABC
I do think the oft-repeated claim on the season opener that "America fell in love" with bachelorette Jen Schefft was a bit much. I think she was the popular choice when she was romanced and proposed to by Andrew Firestone on "The Bachelor," though I'd hardly call her, as host Chris Harrison did umpteen times, "America's sweetheart." At least not yet. The perky blonde from Chicago does have plenty going for her; she's sweet and highly watchable, which makes rooting for her a second time OK in my book.
As for her 15 suitors (10 were eliminated on the first episode), there's one hottie I'd like to get my hands on if Jen doesn't want him: Jerry. I know, big surprise, right? I'm sure half the women in America would be lined up right behind me, given the chance. (Make that in front of me, knowing my luck.) One question: Does anybody else think it's odd that two (2!) of the remaining bachelors are virgins? There's the 28-year-old pro marathoner, Josh, and the 29-year-old motivational speaker, Jason. Oh, give me a break. It's weird and you know it!
"Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Model Search"
Wed., 8 p.m., NBC
As I've already mentioned, the stakes on this show are high. There's no denying that a stint in "Sports Illustrated" is a one-way ticket to stardom. And the winner definitely won't be hurting in the pocketbook. But what makes this show fun to watch is the insider's view of a cutthroat industry. You know it's tough when thousands of women were culled to find the dozen who made it on the air and the judges still have no problem pointing out their faults.
Speaking of the judges, thank goodness for supermodel Roshumba Williams. She's an expert without being a know-it-all and she treats the contestants with respect, which is more than I can say for Joel Wilkenfeld, the hard-edged president of Next Model Management, who doesn't hesitate to tell one hopeful that she has a saggy ass and another that she's nothing special. Jeez, Joel, lighten up! Jule Campbell, founding editor of the magazine, rounds out the judges panel, but I fear she's too easily bowled over by the others to make her voice of reason heard.
The hook of the show (as if a bunch of bikini babes weren't enough)? The audience will vote for the winner, à la "American Idol," on the series finale in February. Not sure who I'm pulling for yet. Shannon's certainly the nicest, as far as I can tell. But it'd be hard to beat Jenna's smolder factor on the beach. Time will certainly tell
"BMOC"
Finale airs Wed., 9 p.m., WB
You may recall that I wasn't exactly impressed with Matt, the "sensitive stud" the girls of the University of Central Florida picked to be their Big Man on Campus. A few more episodes haven't changed my mind much. He's a player in nice guy's clothing, plain and simple. But who can really blame him? Like one of the fathers of a finalist said after meeting Matt: "He's a typical 21-year-old guy."
The finalists, if you care, are doe-eyed Michaela, the 18-year-old freshman who was second runner-up in the Miss Teen Florida USA Pageant, and another Florida darling, 19-year-old buxom brunette Alexandra. Seems to me ole Matt just can't lose.
"Drawn Together"
Wed., 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
A friend and colleague (but no real particular fan of reality TV) has been after me to watch this animated reality show by Dave Jeser and Matt Silverstein. He calls it "a sick and twisted animated parody of reality TV." At last, I've got an episode taped on TiVo. I'm afraid. Very afraid.
Write to the Reality TV Junkie at tvjunkie@latimes.com.
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