Summer perfect for channel surfing
The summer is only half-eaten, and I’ve already grown full from the current spread of reality shows. And no matter how hard I try to concentrate on “Who Wants to Marry My Dad?” or pretend to wonder if the guys will choose “(For) Love or Money,” I can’t keep my fingers from channel surfing.
It’s really quite easy to lose focus on these shows. For example: I can spend the length of an evening watching my new favorite show, “I Love the 90s” on VH1, and sneak a peek every now and then at a reality show, catching about five to 10 minutes of actual commentary, and still feel satisfied that I watched the bulk of the program.
Long camera shots of girls seductively getting out of a pool, an evil stare shared between two competitors, people feasting on buffalo testicles or a host babbling about twists lurking around the corner. Who needs to watch that nonsense? Show me something with some bite and perhaps some intrigue, and I’ll be your devoted fan.
So far, my allegiance goes to a few shows with attitude: “Amazing Race 5” (CBS, Tuesdays), “Last Comic Standing” (NBC, Tuesdays) and “The Simple Life 2” (Fox, Wednesdays). Yes, “Big Brother 5” (CBS, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) is entertaining and I have enjoyed the naughty night vision of the bedroom romps, but I just can’t commit to three nights of that show.
Perhaps I should forget about this summer and offer you a glimpse of what’s coming up this fall:
“The Benefactor” (ABC) – Billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is set to give away a million dollars to a complete stranger in “The Benefactor.” Not unlike the show of our friend The Donald, applicants will have to prove why they deserve the money and will be faced with tests of character, intelligence, heart and maybe a little bit of luck.
“The Complex: Malibu” (Fox) – Fox’s home renovation competition series will premiere Aug. 30. This series has been airing in Australia as “The Block”; the finale last August drew the highest rating of any show for that country in 15 years. Picture the movie “Money Pit” with a cash prize at the end.
“Dog the Bounty Hunter” (A&E) – I really thought this one was a joke when I first heard about it, but apparently bounty hunter Duane “Dog” Chapman is starring in a new reality series about his work. Chapman, who tracked down convicted rapist and Max Factor heir Andrew Luster in Mexico last year, will be featured in the 12-part series.