I Love: Reality TV Competitions
One of the biggest stories in the TV industry over the past two decades has been the rocketing popularity of “reality” shows. I was there for all of it when to comes to the ups and downs of televised talent competitons. It doesn’t get more compelling or unpredictable. I’ve watched every episode of every season of the best of the bunch: American Idol on FOX and (now) ABC. The show that produced superstars (Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and more) was my life for years back in my 20s. I even created and wrote a blog about the megahit during its heyday when I worked on the copy desk for The Augusta Chronicle. The tens of millions of viewers who tuned in multiple times a week would agree with me. I correctly predicted Kris’ Allen’s upset win over Adam Lambert, a proud accomplishment I still claim today.
Anyway, water-cooler programs like Idol and The Bachelor and Big Brother have had a tremendous impact on our culture — here in the United States and around the word. After Idol, my Top 10 would have to include (in no particular order): Survivor (CBS), Project Runway (Bravo/Lifetime), RuPaul’s Drag Race (Logo/VH1), Top Chef (Bravo), Songland (NBC), Making It (NBC), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), Are You the One? (MTV) and The Circle (Netflix). The talent, results and production value on these shows are undeniable and captivating. Not to mention, it’s fun to discuss and debate. The omission of The Voice (NBC) might be controversial to some. While I’ve watched it off and on since it began, I’m not a huge fan. Too much of the focus is on the judges (enough of Adam and Blake), and the eventual winners never amount to much of anything. I’d say the worst are NBC’s The Biggest Loser and Fear Factor as well as Love Is Blind on Netflix and America’s Next Top Model on UPN and The CW. Also: Does anyone remember Nashville Star (USA), Finding Prince Charming (Logo) and The World’s Best (CBS)? Probably not. (Here’s another writer’s opinion, which includes non-competitions.) Have some fun with this at Ranker.
One of the reasons I decided to publish this post today is because networks are relying heavily on reality shows/competitions over the next few months because the coronavirus pandemic. Scripted series and other kinds of shows that are more expensive and harder to produce won’t be on the air until later this year (or into 2021). The Season 15 winner of America’s Got Talent (NBC) will be announced tonight. (More on that later.) The new season of Dancing with the Stars (ABC) got underway last week with a new host and a shakeup on the judging panel. And there is a lot on the way. I’ve also been using some of my free time to work on a few TV-related projects: checking out shows I skipped or haven’t seen in a long time. They include the current seasons of Big Brother All-Stars (CBS), which I’ve found is nowhere near as compelling as Survivor, and the U.S. version of Love Island (also on CBS). The latter is in the middle of its second season and runs six (!) days a week. I have to admit, I prefer Bachelor in Paradise (ABC) to this very hetero dating offering. Finally, a new edition of The Amazing Race (CBS), which seemingly has won a billion Emmys, premieres next month. I’ll be on top of it! Same goes for Netflix’s Nailed It! with the amazing Nicole Byer. I’ll have much more say about the endings of BB All-Stars and Love Island in the coming weeks.
A few more random thoughts:
On America’s Got Talent: I haven’t followed a season from start to finish in probably five years. Simon Cowell has been gone the past weeks after he was involved in an accident o n his electric bike. Honestly, I don’t miss him. The other judges on the panel — Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara, a new addition this year — more than picked up the slack. I didn’t connect with most of the final acts that performed last night. But poet Brandon Leake gives me chills every time he takes the stage. He’s crazy talented and always delivers memorable moments. If there’s any justice in the world, it might his time to become a $1 million winner. Ranking the other contenders: 2. Roberta Battaglia 3. Cristina Rae 4. Daneliya Tuleshova 5. Alan Silva 6. Bello Sisters 7. BAD Salsa 8. Archie Williams 9. Broken Roots 10. Kenadi Dodds (not be harsh, but she was totally forgettable). Check out the current odds at Gold Derby.
On Dancing with the Stars: I think the last season I watched in entirety came at least 10 years ago. The audience here skews older, which might be why ABC wanted to change things up with a new host (veteran media personality Tyra Banks) and yet another buzzy slate of celebrity dancers. The second round of dances went down last night, but I haven’t watched them yet. I plan to do that this afternoon. My gut tells me Carole Baskin or Charles Oakley can’t last long. If the champion is someone other than Justina Machado or Johnny Weir, I’ll be stunned. My predicted order of finish: 15. Charles Oakley 14. Carole Baskin 13. Chrishelle Staus 12. Nev Schulman 11. Jesse Metcalfe 10. Anne Heche 9. Nelly 8. Kaitlyn Bristowe 7. Monica Aldama 6. Jeannie Mai 5. AJ McLean 4. Skai Jackson 3. Verdon Davis 2. Johnny Weir 1. Justina Machado. By the way, PLEASE find a way to watch this lovely actor and her amazing castmates on One Day at a Time (Netflix/Pop TV).
Here are the reality shows/competitions on my radar for the remainder of 2020:
Currently watching
Dancing with the Stars (Mondays, ABC)
Big Brother All-Stars (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, CBS)
Love Island (Daily except Saturdays, CBS)
Coming up (subject to change, of course)
The Masked Singer (tonight, FOX). I can’t endorse this show because it seems dumb (from the few episodes I’ve seen) and it features Jenny McCarthy and her horrid anti-vaccine views.
I Can See Your Voice (tonight, FOX). Come on. Do we really need this?
Haute Dog (Sept. 24, HBO Max). This should be … interesting.
The Great British Baking Show (Sept. 25, Netflix). I can’t wait! But be warned: just one episode a week this season.
The Bachelorette (Oct. 13, ABC). I’ve witnessed most of this franchise’s drama the past five years. Don’t judge me.
The Amazing Race (Oct. 14, CBS). Check out the just-announced teams competing this season (taped in 2018).
Shark Tank (Oct. 16, ABC). Do we have a deal? Sure.
The Voice (Oct. 19, NBC). I’m on the fence about coming back for another round. Leaning toward no.