Metropolis Reality Forums - Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows

Sponsored by: The Fans!

Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register.
Nov 24^th, 2024, 7:28am

Upcoming Premiere Dates:
Survivor 23, Season premiere
Thursday, September 14 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on CBS

Metropolis Reality Forums Ť Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows ť

   Metropolis Reality Forums
   Other Television Shows
   Other Television Shows (Moderators: lakelady, yesteach, MediaScribe, Bumper, Isle_be_back)
   Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows

Previous topic | New Topic | Next topic »

Pages: 1

Add Poll

Notify of replies

Send Topic

Author

Topic: Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows (Read 186 times)

BlankWillWin
ForumsNet Member

The Psychotic Predictor

Gender:

Posts: 1257

Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows
« on: Jan 3^rd, 2004, 4:02pm »

Quote

Modify

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42832-2003Dec30.html
Celebrities Lend Their Names to Reality Shows

By Tracy L. Scott
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 4, 2004

When "Survivor" first appeared on network television, the participants were regular people -- just like the viewers.

Richard Hatch, the winner of that first season's show, only gained an amount of celebrity status after the show aired.

However, since the number of reality shows has increased, networks are looking for something to set their shows apart, according to David Stanley executive producer of several reality shows including ABC's "Celebrity Mole."

The presence of famous personalities is now becoming a common device for luring viewers.

"Celebrity Mole" and the WB's "Surreal Life" star well-known personalities such as Erik Estrada of "CHiPs," the NBA's Dennis Rodman and comedian Mark Curry of "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper."

"Celebrity Mole" returns for its third season Wednesday at 10 p.m. The new season of "The Surreal Life" begins Sunday, Jan. 11, at 9 p.m.

Business tycoon Donald Trump has lent his name to NBC's new reality series "The Apprentice," premiering Thursday.

Fox's riches-to-rags reality show "The Simple Life" featured model Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, daughter of singer Lionel Richie.

Supermodel Tyra Banks is producer of UPN's "America's Next Top Model."

"Cheers" alumni George Wendt and John Ratzenberger star in A&E's new "House of Dreams" and Travel channel's new "Made in America," respectively.

MTV has several shows that focus on celebrities. "The Osbournes" takes viewers into the lives of legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his family. "Newlyweds" offers a look into the new marriage of recording artists Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson and in "Making the Band" Sean Combs heads the process of turning musicians with raw talent into a first-rate group.

On Jan. 21, "Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave" premieres on MTV. Carmen Electra and fiance Dave Navarro star in this new reality series that follows the couple as they prepare for their "unconventional" nuptials.

Greg Johnson, executive producer of "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds," said audiences tune in to see celebrities on reality shows because the programs give viewers the opportunity to see stars in an environment, other than the red carpet.

Viewers "want to know more about these people and see how they are when they're not at a normal celebrity event. It humanizes people they've only seen one layer of," Johnson said.

Stanley of "Celebrity Mole" said reality shows give viewers a chance to see entertainers in a different light.

Although it may seem viewers would feel a stronger connection to the non-celebrities featured on reality shows, Johnson said audiences feel a connection to the famous people as well.

Viewers "want to see if they're exactly like them. I think that's why people stick around and attach themselves" to these series. "There is a connection," Johnson said.

Stanley said using celebrities on reality shows is an asset because of "promotability" and because the participants "automatically come to the party with a character."

However, the majority of reality programs still rely on everyday people.

The second season of NBC's "Average Joe," premieres Monday at 10 p.m.

Discovery's "American Chopper" featuring the Teutels family, owner of Orange County Choppers, returns for its second season Monday, Jan. 12.

"Todd TV" in which cameras will follow a complete unknown as he carries out the daily duties of his life, premieres on Wednesday, Jan. 21, on FX. Viewers are part of the show deciding what Todd eats and wears, among other things.

This season's "Celebrity Mole" also includes interactive elements, as does Fox's "American Idol," returning Monday, Jan. 19.

Along with that trend of viewer participation, Stanley and Johnson both suggest that the next step of the reality evolution involves combining scripted and unscripted material.

"We made a step forward with 'Joe Schmo,' " said Stanley referring to the Spike TV series in which an unsuspecting "Joe" participated in what he thought was a reality show. However, the cast of characters were actors, and "Joe" was the only person not in on the joke.

"We combined scripted comedy with reality. We included actors. It really did create a new paradigm for reality," he said.

Š 2004 The Washington Post Company
---------------------------------------------------------
Eric.

IP Logged

The Artist formerly known as Tina, Ethan, Neleh, Helen, Deena, Tijuana, & AmberWillWin.

Pages: 1

Add Poll

Notify of replies

Send Topic


Previous topic \| New Topic \| Next topic »