OK, so I've been watching MTV's "The Real World" religiously since the show first started airing in 1992. Back then it was such a new concept: reality TV, seven strangers picked to live in a house together, etc. Actually the first season they lived in a loft. In New York City.
Back in '92, the seven strangers all seemed to have pretty good heads on their shoulders and all seemed to know what they wanted to do when they grew up. There was Eric, the model; Julie the dancer; Kevin the writer; Becky the singer, Norm the Artist; Heather the rapper; and Andre the rock musician.
OK, so sure, there were some arguments and racial tensions and hookups and drinking. But mostly it was a show about the youth of the early '90s and where they were headed. The kids seemed to have had their thinking caps on, at the very least.
Fast forward to 2005. "The Real World" has been steadily going downhill, in my opinion, since they garnered huge ratings during the "Hawaii" season and Ruthie's alcohol storyline. The last few seasons, "RW Las Vegas" in particular, have been all about sex and drunkfests. The kids don't talk about their futures-- they just get plastered and sleep with each other. There are no thought provoking storylines, no interesting or colorful characters like Puck or Teck or San Fran's Rachel. There's no pre-med students like Pam, no fencers like Kat, not even a lumberjack like Sean. In fact, in most cases I don't know what any of the kids on today's "Real World" does.
I have faithfully hung in there with "The Real World" all of these years, watching each season all the way through, but I'm afraid even I am giving up this time. I tried to get through the premiere of "The Real World Austin", but the cast was so darn bland and predictable that I just gave up and read my In Style Magazine until "Pimp My Ride" came on.
It's like they've filmed the same show over and over again for the past five seasons. The cast members are interchangable. Too much drinking, too much sex, not enough storyline.
Are the kids of today really that shallow or is it just the producers at Bunim/Murray? I don't know and, sorry, for once I ain't sticking around to find out.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Two Parises, Double the Yawns
Am I the only one who finds Paris Hilton to be a big, blonde bore? She's planning her wedding to another Paris-- Latsis, to be exact. Will it actually happen? That remains to be seen. (What are the chances of two Paris's marrying, anyway?) I saw her bridal registry online. Tiffany's, of course.
http://www.tiffany.com/registry/registry_pur.asp?registryID=403955&mysid1=642C95D094534E3AB91F9344E7A77463&cntry1=-1
I'm surprised the dinner plates she wants are only $45.00 each. Maybe she's not planning to ever do dishes and will just use them as diposables.
Atually, I believe the "Tiffany's" registry is a hoax. Something tells me Paris already has all the dishes she'll ever need. Anyway, here's my predication: I predicted it about Britney Spears. (See my review of Spears' asinine reality show, "Chaotic" here: http://www.televisiondepot.com/2005/06/chaotic-reality-tv-with-britney.html.) I knew Brit would somehow use her marriage to Kevin Federline as bait for a reality show and voila-- nine months (and one bun in the oven) later I was right.
And I predict this about the two Parises: Somehow their wedding or the planning thereof will become a reality show. Hilton likes to keep her name in the spotlight and honestly, her 15 minutes has got to be just about up, so she needs to strike while the iron is hot. So look for it come next winter or spring, the Paris/Paris reality show. Behind the scenes and all about the fairytale wedding of the century. Wake me when it's over.
And hey, if I'm wrong, I'll buy her one of those $45.00 plates. I promise.
http://www.tiffany.com/registry/registry_pur.asp?registryID=403955&mysid1=642C95D094534E3AB91F9344E7A77463&cntry1=-1
I'm surprised the dinner plates she wants are only $45.00 each. Maybe she's not planning to ever do dishes and will just use them as diposables.
Atually, I believe the "Tiffany's" registry is a hoax. Something tells me Paris already has all the dishes she'll ever need. Anyway, here's my predication: I predicted it about Britney Spears. (See my review of Spears' asinine reality show, "Chaotic" here: http://www.televisiondepot.com/2005/06/chaotic-reality-tv-with-britney.html.) I knew Brit would somehow use her marriage to Kevin Federline as bait for a reality show and voila-- nine months (and one bun in the oven) later I was right.
And I predict this about the two Parises: Somehow their wedding or the planning thereof will become a reality show. Hilton likes to keep her name in the spotlight and honestly, her 15 minutes has got to be just about up, so she needs to strike while the iron is hot. So look for it come next winter or spring, the Paris/Paris reality show. Behind the scenes and all about the fairytale wedding of the century. Wake me when it's over.
And hey, if I'm wrong, I'll buy her one of those $45.00 plates. I promise.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Bewitched Today
I've been a lifelong fan of the television series, "Bewitched." Starring the ever-so-gorgeous Elizabeth Montgomery, the show premiered on September 17, 1964. And while I as too young to watch the first-run episodes of the series, I've been a syndication superfan.
Over the years, I've always watched "Bewitched" reruns, but I was thrilled when Nick at Nite and TV Land started airing the classic series in primetime. They even dug up the first two seasons of black and white episodes, shows I had never seen.
There were so many classic episodes of "Bewitched" that I can't possibly list them all here, but a few of my favorites include any episode that featured the great Marion Lorne as Aunt Clara; any episode that featured Endora (Agnes Moorehead) tormenting Durwood, er, Darrin; all of the Christmas episodes. And the classic episode that was the first one to ever air in color, when Samantha discovers that her baby daughter, Tabitha, is also a witch.
And then there's the Stephens' house at 1164 Morning Glory Circle. (I told you I was a fan). The layout of the Stephen's house is my all time favorite TV house. (OK, maybe it's a tie with the "Brady Bunch" home.) I liked how the Stephens' house flowed, how they took you through the whole thing.
So remember those black and white episodes I told you about? Well, when they were released on DVD, I ordered them through Amazon.com, but I have a confession to make-- I ordered the colorized version.
Yes, even I , the biggest "Bewitched" fan around, like to keep up with the times.
Over the years, I've always watched "Bewitched" reruns, but I was thrilled when Nick at Nite and TV Land started airing the classic series in primetime. They even dug up the first two seasons of black and white episodes, shows I had never seen.
There were so many classic episodes of "Bewitched" that I can't possibly list them all here, but a few of my favorites include any episode that featured the great Marion Lorne as Aunt Clara; any episode that featured Endora (Agnes Moorehead) tormenting Durwood, er, Darrin; all of the Christmas episodes. And the classic episode that was the first one to ever air in color, when Samantha discovers that her baby daughter, Tabitha, is also a witch.
And then there's the Stephens' house at 1164 Morning Glory Circle. (I told you I was a fan). The layout of the Stephen's house is my all time favorite TV house. (OK, maybe it's a tie with the "Brady Bunch" home.) I liked how the Stephens' house flowed, how they took you through the whole thing.
So remember those black and white episodes I told you about? Well, when they were released on DVD, I ordered them through Amazon.com, but I have a confession to make-- I ordered the colorized version.
Yes, even I , the biggest "Bewitched" fan around, like to keep up with the times.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Glaring Omissions on the VH1 Child Stars Series
I was loving VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars" series last week. It gave informative updates on former child stars I had all but forgotten about, stars like Quinn Cummings ("The Goodbye Girl," "Family"), Lara Jill Miller ("Gimme a Break") and Cynthia Nixon, who I knew from "Sex and the City" but had no idea she was also a child star, featured in one of my favorite teen movies, "Little Darlings."
Still, there were some blatant omissions on the show. I know, I know, they can't name every child star from the past 40 years, but some of the stars that they forgot about clearly should have been included. For example:
-- Jay North. The original Dennis the Menace from the TV series. That kid was a McCauley Culkin way before Culkin's time. He was adorable and a great actor. And they didn't even mention his name.
--Leif Garrett. And Donny Osmond, for that matter. Yes, VH1 did include some teen singers in their countdown, but they chose to include New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre in lieu of truly great pop stars. Crazy, I tell you!
-- Kim Richards. The greatest child star of the '70s and early '80s. She starred in Disney films like "Escape to Witch Mountain' and television series like "Nanny and the Professor." I expected her to make the top 10 and she didn't even make the top 100?
--Johnny Whitaker. Red-haired child star of "Family Affair" fame and then Saturday morning's "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters," this kid was a bona fide poster child for child stars in the '60s and '70s. Remember him? VH1 sure didn't!
--Billy Mumy. The ultimate child star, in my opinion. Watch any TV show from the 1960s-- from "Bewitched" to "Twilight Zone" to "My Favorite Martian" -- and this kid has guest starred on it. VH1 didn't deem him worthy, but Cindy Brady makes the list?
I'm still scratching my head over that one.....
--
Still, there were some blatant omissions on the show. I know, I know, they can't name every child star from the past 40 years, but some of the stars that they forgot about clearly should have been included. For example:
-- Jay North. The original Dennis the Menace from the TV series. That kid was a McCauley Culkin way before Culkin's time. He was adorable and a great actor. And they didn't even mention his name.
--Leif Garrett. And Donny Osmond, for that matter. Yes, VH1 did include some teen singers in their countdown, but they chose to include New Kids on the Block's Joey McIntyre in lieu of truly great pop stars. Crazy, I tell you!
-- Kim Richards. The greatest child star of the '70s and early '80s. She starred in Disney films like "Escape to Witch Mountain' and television series like "Nanny and the Professor." I expected her to make the top 10 and she didn't even make the top 100?
--Johnny Whitaker. Red-haired child star of "Family Affair" fame and then Saturday morning's "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters," this kid was a bona fide poster child for child stars in the '60s and '70s. Remember him? VH1 sure didn't!
--Billy Mumy. The ultimate child star, in my opinion. Watch any TV show from the 1960s-- from "Bewitched" to "Twilight Zone" to "My Favorite Martian" -- and this kid has guest starred on it. VH1 didn't deem him worthy, but Cindy Brady makes the list?
I'm still scratching my head over that one.....
--
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Where have all the child stars gone?
Have you seen the VH1 series "The 100 Greatest Kid Stars of All Time?" For a pop culture enthusiast like me, it's a great little package of interesting tidbits. And a nice walk down memory lane.
It's a five-part series, so I've only seen the first two night's worth, but I've already learned a ton.
For instance, did you know that Peter Olstrum (the kid who played Charlie in the 70's film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory") is now a veterinarian on a dairy farm? And Alison Arngrim (aka Nellie Olsen) does a one woman comedy show, rehashing her "Little House on the Prairie" days. Lara Jill Miller, the youngest daughter from the show "Gimme a Break," was a lawyer for a while, but now she does cartoon voice over work. And Candace Cameron Bure, formerly DJ on "Full House", is HOT now-- and she's a mom of three to boot!
So far they've showed the first 40 people on their list, and I can't help but wonder who the other 60 will be. How can they choose a mere 100? Because there's been so darn many great kid stars over the years!. ike, whatever happened to that adorable kid Ricky Segall from "The Partridge Family?" Will he be remembered? And what about the girl who played the annoying Margaret on "Dennis the Menace?" And how many Bradys will make the list? No doubt about it, this show is a pop culture fanatic's dream come true!
Stay tuned.....
It's a five-part series, so I've only seen the first two night's worth, but I've already learned a ton.
For instance, did you know that Peter Olstrum (the kid who played Charlie in the 70's film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory") is now a veterinarian on a dairy farm? And Alison Arngrim (aka Nellie Olsen) does a one woman comedy show, rehashing her "Little House on the Prairie" days. Lara Jill Miller, the youngest daughter from the show "Gimme a Break," was a lawyer for a while, but now she does cartoon voice over work. And Candace Cameron Bure, formerly DJ on "Full House", is HOT now-- and she's a mom of three to boot!
So far they've showed the first 40 people on their list, and I can't help but wonder who the other 60 will be. How can they choose a mere 100? Because there's been so darn many great kid stars over the years!. ike, whatever happened to that adorable kid Ricky Segall from "The Partridge Family?" Will he be remembered? And what about the girl who played the annoying Margaret on "Dennis the Menace?" And how many Bradys will make the list? No doubt about it, this show is a pop culture fanatic's dream come true!
Stay tuned.....
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