tv

what’s your reality…

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I’ve had a couple recent conversations with people about our television faves and habits. And like many conversations the question comes up in some form or another, do you watch reality shows? And if so which ones? My party line is that I truly try not to add any new reality shows. Not because I don’t think there are some good ones, but because I am afraid that I could get sucked into any of them. They’re also for me somewhat easier to drop between seasons because the cast changes and I’m not invested. I have managed to keep a few around so here’s what’s still in the queue?

  • ANTM (CW) – The combination of ridiculousness and the actual skill that it seems to take to be a model are compelling – runway, shoots, commercials – I thought I had finally dropped this but two things sucked me back in, 1) I have two good friends who are dedicated and although we no longer try to get together on a regular basis we do try to get together once a season 2) all-stars season brought back some faves.
  • Project Runway (Life) – My favorite of the skill competitions, it’s a totally unrealistic way to design fashion, but the process and the result are always enthralling and the personalities that design fashion are not without drama.
  • Rehab with Dr Drew (VH1) – I should not have started watching these but I actually did it with a bit of disgust that they were taking advantage of these people for ratings, but the good Dr. truly cares, and although the editing process showcases more of the train wrecks than anything else, which you can’t look away from, it’s the closest I get to wanting a feel-good moment.
  • What Not to Wear (TLC) – Who doesn’t love a good makeover? Ok, well if you don’t this show clearly isn’t for you, but Stacy and Clinton offer some good quips and tough love as they manifest real change for most of these people even if some of them fight it every step of the way, plus it never hurts to learn a good tip or check out a good outfit.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) – I’ve extolled the virtues of this show before but have to be honest that I have the last three eps of last season getting stale on my TiVo, I still do love the competition and the jam packed format and clearly focused casting make it a good tale.

I don’t do as much of the dating, dancing, cooking, celebrity lifestyle, or straight up voyeuristic… But remember the first season of Real World? Remember the first season of American Idol? I stuck with Survivor for a few seasons, Rock of Love for more than I will admit, Apprentice for a couple, Simple Life, Rockstar, Pop Stars, and the Voice for a whole season. Hmm what else am I forgetting?

These recent conversations came up with recommendations for Lizard Lick Towing and Long Island Medium which makes me wonder what I’m missing out on. What are your favorites, guilty pleasures, and recommendations? Chime in with comments below and tell me what might be worth a watch.

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tv

watch this: the glee project

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Here’s a new feature we’re trying out at pchron, ‘watch this’ throws a light on some shows that may be under your radar and are worth checking out. This first feature is a little nugget on Oxygen, The Glee Project. I caught this show last summer and was sucked in. But this year with deciding that singing competitions and Glee just sort of sucked, I wasn’t sure I’d be as enamored.

What keeps this engaging is its unique slant, this isn’t a competition for the best singer, it is casting for a specific show, Glee. And with the actual casting agent, vocal coach, choreographer, and creator of Glee making the call we get insight into the reality of the process. I don’t think watching Glee is a prerequisite, but having seen it might enhance your enjoyment.

The format is jam packed, the gang starts with a ‘homework assignment’ which is basically them being given a song and doing a group number, each person has to try to shine. The special mentor (someone from the Glee cast) picks the winner who gets some one-on-one time and an extra feature in the video. Then there’s the video, first they learn choreography, then they get in the vocal booth, and then we watch the shoot. It’s always a bit of a mess but at the end of the day they piece together a pretty good video, though they are all aware of who flailed.

The mentors (casting, vocals, and dance) pick the bottom three who then get to do a ‘last chance’ performance in front of creator Ryan Murphy. The first part of the show is more about whether they can bring it while fitting into the group and keeping up with the multiple demands of the musical numbers that make up the show. This second part gives them opportunities to not only perform but share a bit of their personality for Ryan who needs to decide whether the person is someone they can create a unique misfit character for. And when I say unique, they pick people from your standard geeky musical theater backgrounds but also like to add in peeps with a good story like a blind kid and a transgendered kid.

The kids are of course a mix of sweet, and annoying, and driven and all that, and there’s just a touch of their off screen time to add to the mix. As with all reality competitions at the end of the day I don’t so much care who the winner of the next The Glee Project is, but I enjoy tagging along for the competition.

Details: The Glee Project, Oxygen, Tuesdays at 10pm.

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tv

new and noteworthy tv: 5/28-6/3

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And here I thought listings would start quieting down, a few summer series to check out…

Monday

  • French Open (ESPN2, Various) – Week one of play gets going, will Nadal crush another?
  • Hemingway & Gellhorn (HBO, 9pm) – Word is good for this dramatic look at Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman as these writers.
  • Cake Boss/Extreme Couponing (TLC, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Cakes and coupons.
  • Gene Simmons Family Jewels/Monster In-Laws (A&E, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Gene and his family and family in-law dynamics.
  • Hatfields & McCoys (Hist, 9pm) Mini-series Premiere – Family rivalries drama.
  • Single Ladies (VH1, 9pm) Season Premiere – A little cast swap but assume the ladies will still bring the same flavor of drama.

Tuesday

  • The Catalina (CW, 8pm) Series Premiere – A look at the goings on at a real South Beach hotel.
  • HGTV Design Star (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Twelve designers design.
  • Roadtrip with G. Garvin (Cook, 9pm) Series Premiere – Visiting eateries.
  • What Not to Wear/Big Brooklyn Style (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Stacy and Clinton return and then we visit a plus-size clothing store in Brooklyn.
  • Tosh.0/Workaholics (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season Premieres – The boys are back.

Wednesday

  • Dogs in the City (CBS, 8pm) Series Premiere – Dog trainer Justin Silver visits some dogs.
  • Melissa & Joey (ABCF, 8pm) Season Premiere – Who’s the Boss-esque update is back.

Thursday

  • Breaking Pointe (CW, 8pm) Series Premiere – The world of ballet reality-style.
  • Final Offer (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – A more selective bidding on big ticket items.
  • LA Hair (WE, 10pm) Series Premiere – Celebrity stylist.
  • Mountain Men (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Outdoorsmen live off the wilderness.

Friday

  • Whale Wars/Louisiana Lockdown (AnPl, 6/7pm) Season/Series Premiere – Whaling and prison.
  • Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia (Cook, 10pm) Series Premiere – On the hunt for tasty treats.
  • My Yard Goes Disney/House Hunters on Vacation (HGTV, 8/8:30pm) Season Premieres – Disney themed yards has a whole show? and you know vacation houses.

Saturday

  • The Glee Project (Oxy, 7pm) – The casting special heads into the show that I actually enjoyed for it’s focus on casting of a specific show and not just talent, I won’t hold lackluster performances by winners on last season’s Glee against them.
  • It’s Me or the Dog (AnPl, 7pm) Season Premiere – Dogs gone wild.
  • Easy Chinese (Cook, 8:30pm) Season Premiere – Chinese food made easy.
  • Iyanla, Fix My Life (OWN, 10pm) Series Premiere – Iyanla and Oprah patched it up now you can see her work again.

Sunday

  • Adele Live in London/Miss USA Pageant (NBC, 8/9pm) – Specials.
  • Secret Millionaire/Extreme Makeover Weightloss (ABC, 8pm) – Rich people pop by to visit poor people and focus on weightloss.
  • Drop Dead Diva (Life, 9pm) Season Premiere – Ridiculous premise made cute, with the merging of lives of the model drops into a lawyer’s body.
  • Empire Girls (Style, 9pm) Series Premiere – More reality of reality stars.
  • The Glades/Longmire (A&E, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – The return of the detective that I almost find entertaining and a look at Wyoming lawman based on the book series with intriguing enough cast to tune in.
  • Ice Road Truckers (Hist, 9pm) Season Premiere – I think there’s ice, roads, and trucks.
  • MTV Movie Awards (MTV, 9pm) – Its own brand of movie awards.
  • Are You Normal, America? (OWN, 10pm) Series Premiere – Oprah’s look at what’s normal.
  • Call of the Wildman (AnPl, 10pm) Season Premiere – He’s looking into nature.
  • Head Games (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – Delving into the human brain.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2011

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The critics have given their best lists so it’s time for mine. As most of you know I don’t get top tier cable so some of the HBO and Showtime and other options are waiting for a Netflix showing for me to properly evaluate. And as with all of my top ten lists there could be a good degree of variability particularly on order but also on inclusion depending on the way the wind blows… but here’s where I ended up today:

  • Justified (Fx) – Last season’s plot line did a great job of not only showcasing why we love US Marshall Raylan but the complexities of the good and not so good guys in rural Kentucky.
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – I’m still impressed with the well rounded stories and characters and the politics that go into everything they do, be it the weekly court case, the running of the law firm, the family drama and of course the politics.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – This series started off a little rough not quite knowing what to do with their Office spinoff-ish format, but the show has really found its footing week after week with small town office politics and the characters involved.
  • Sons of Anarchy (FX) – Have recently been wondering how many club members could die a season and still keep going, but this show makes me mostly suspend belief as I am caught up in all the tensions wondering how they will ever make it through the next jam.
  • Bones (Fox) – So far I still enjoy the chemistry and character between/of the two leads as their relationship progresses on this sciency procedural with a supporting cast of folks that add good stuff to each week.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) – This new angle on talent competition, looking for someone who would fit into a specific show focusing on slightly underdog characters, coached and judged by the cast, staff, and creators gives a great look at both the talent and what goes into getting it all together.
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher each embodied a wonderfully nuanced character dealing with the dramas of life, I enjoyed what was unfortunately the final season.
  • Parenthood (NBC) – Ah the silly Bravermans keep making missteps but they seem to mostly balance family drama ridiculousness with some touching and truthful moments from each of the generations.
  • Cougar Town (ABC)/Community (NBC) – These two comedies were more uneven than some but still consistently gave me the most laughs and enjoyment, both took a little while to find their footing but they each were able to find the funny in their off beat characters and situations.

And of course lots of  stuff almost made the list, my TiVo is certainly full! What are your picks?

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