TresSugar

Flashback: Cheaters, the Most Trashtastic Reality TV Show Ever

TresSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

Back in the day when I watched waaay too much television, I couldn't even justify it by saying I was watching the good stuff. If anything, I watched the worst television had to offer. Take Cheaters, the reality television show hosted by smarmy Joey Greco.

The premise was simple. Tail some guy or gal who was stepping out on their significant other, show the horrified cheatee the video evidence, and ask the wronged person what they wanted to do. The magic words I longed to hear? "I want to confront him." In this clip, Joey works his magic as he leads this poor woman into a blow-by-blow account of her boyfriend's cheating, accompanied by his transparently fake concern for her. In one infamous episode, Joey got his: a cheater actually stabs him, and they aired the episode! Ah, the good ol' days. Bring back Cheaters!

Megan Wants . . . a Murderer?

TresSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I bet Megan Hauserman (previously from Rock of Love 2 and I Love Money) did not think that her money-hungry ways could blind her from seeing a potential murderer in her midst. But that’s exactly what happens on Megan Wants a Millionaire, VH1’s show about a bunch of douches who want to date a gold-digger. It turns out that contestant Ryan Jenkins is a person of interest in the murder of his wife, Jasmine Fiore, whom he married (and possibly killed!) after the show finished taping. It's been reported that he's already fled the country.

I saw a few episodes of Megan Wants a Millionaire, and even for reality TV, it’s pretty awful. Just when you thought the worst character infraction the contestants could have was being douchey, this news comes out. Very, very scary.

7 Gimmicky Reality Dating Shows

TresSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Just like there's a dating site for everyone, there's also a dating show for everyone! Reality TV now tests whether age, size, or looks matter. It seems like network producers are keen on conducting sociological experiments - either that or they want the ratings. While almost every reality show has an angle, take a look at seven particularly gimmicky examples. And be sure to vote on your favorite at the end!

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Cute Alert: It's an El-Infant!

GiggleSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Keeping elephants in zoos is controversial. Some people say they shouldn't be in captivity, others say allowing people to see endangered animals makes them care about their continued survival. I don't know enough about it to say, but I do know that it's touching to see this tiny (by elephant standards!) baby elephant finally bonding with his mother, Rose-Tu (who had been a little rough with him at the beginning). Zookeepers kept watch to make sure that Rose-Tu was gentle with the little one and according to this news story, "The calf leaned against her wrinkled side, and she gathered him between her front legs, a sign of affection." Cute!

Indian Kids Are Pitted Against Each Other on Reality Shows

CitizenSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:00:23 -0700

A show with a name like Boogie Woogie sounds like it should be nothing but harmless fun right? For the tidal wave of kids clamoring to get onto the Indian reality TV show, perhaps not. After one young girl collapsed on the dance contest show after she lost, the pressure is starting to get noticed. Her parents blame the Simon Cowell-esque reprimanding after her performance for her collapse, while the show's producers say the parents should know the limits of their children.

Regardless of the cause its anything but a deterrent for hopeful contestants for any of India's five music and dance contest shows. Thousands of kids are signing up, and the long days, grueling criticism, and even the parents themselves are becoming a problem. One Boogie Woogie producer says, "Some parents are so ambitious that they need to be counselled. We have to tell them to let the children be. Sometimes parents push the children to wear certain clothes, practice some gyrating adult moves. At such times we ask them to change their dance."

Why are kids being pushed onto TV shows? To find out, read more.

The same reason so many things happen: money honey. One media researcher says, "The audience segment of four to 14 years is becoming important. Children are a major influence on consumer behaviour. Segments like sports, music, and pure children's channels have a viewership base which manufacturers of consumer durables, auto industries, food industry would like to tap."

Four-year-olds are the next coveted demographic?! Wow. While the dubious trend is taking off, experts counsel moderation. "As long as parents and children know that these competitions are just a part of life and not life itself, children will be able to handle the pressures."

Should kids be able to compete on reality shows, or in the words of Simon, is that "just awful?"

Source

Reality Star Learns She Has Cancer - on TV! Where's the Line?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:00:56 -0700

Hey, I watched Joe Millionaire, I'm no reality TV snob, but crushing medical diagnoses? Is this entertainment? Millions of viewers will get to decide that for themselves when they watch British reality star Jade Goody find out she has cancer on the Indian version of the show Big Brother (called Bigg Boss.)

The 27-year-old star received the diagnosis that she had cervical cancer from her doctor and broke the news to her housemates, in tears of course, all on camera. Goody immediately quit the show but the event had already been caught on tape. She's since given her consent to have the footage shown, but is there a line?

While we certainly follow the health concerns of celebrities, at least with stories like Christina Applegate, she carefully chose how to break the news and certainly wasn't filmed at the time of finding out. Should reality TV be a free-for-all, as long as the participant agrees - or should we start policing what we deem entertainment with the long arm of the remote?

Source

"I'm Not Here to Make Friends"

GiggleSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

It's the reality television cliché of the century, and this clip makes you wonder who said it first. Best variation: "I ain't here to make no friends." Runner up: "This isn't America's Next Top . . . Best Friend." Clever! Honestly, I think these folks say "I'm not here to make friends" as a preemptive strike against their radical charmlessness.

Another Writer's Strike?!

GiggleSugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:06:58 -0800

Oh, wait. Whew! It's just a novelist's strike. As long as I can watch Dr. Phil and Rock of Love - who needs novels?

Rock of Love Presents: Stroller Derby

GiggleSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:00:00 -0800

In case you've been hiding under a rock like I have, the object of Rock of Love With Bret Michaels is to win a date with the front man of once-hot metal band Poison. The chicks competing for this thing are scary. Even scarier, though, are their opponents in this episode. The ladies of Rock of Love are supposed to prove their maternal instincts by protecting a baby-doll replica of Bret he calls "Baby Bret" during a roller-derby competition with the LA Derby Dolls. Wow - reality television gets weirder by the minute.

What Is the Craziest Reality Show of 2007?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

These days, you can't turn on the television without catching some oddball reality show. Some folks love these programs, others disregard them as "trash," while I just consider them crazy fun. From the untouchable Tyra to those kooky Kardashians to Sleeza Tequila, the idiot box lives up to its name. These characters will do whatever it takes to increase their ratings, but which show should be crowned the craziest of 2007?