Hey, preaching to the choir. I thought our Lady of the Perpetual Sea Breeze was the real deal until the Divine Miss J walked right through that door and right into my ass—which is where my heart is…physiologically. I could show you an x-ray.

Lorne ,'Time Bomb'


Non-Fiction TV: I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own

This thread is for non-fiction TV, including but not limited to reality television (So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef: Masters, Project Runway), documentaries (The History Channel, The Discovery Channel), and sundry (Expedition Africa, Mythbusters), et al. [NAFDA]


Jesse - Apr 21, 2011 10:08:14 am PDT #16524 of 23273
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

OMG. I just. I don't even. Here:

The reality series starring a bunch of unlikeable reality stars has been revealed, and despite the fact that it stars Danielle Staub, Jake Pavelka, and Heidi Montag, it is not about reviled reality TV show villains. Instead, those cast members will be opening a restaurant in West Hollywood together for VH1’s Famous Food, a show that also stars Ashley Dupre (best known for her paying gig with Eliot Spitzer), Vincent Pastore from the Sopranos, and Three 6 Mafia’s DJ Paul and Juicy “J.”

Speaking of reviled cast members, Big Brother winner and former genital wart owner Mike Malin is overseeing the group along with his Dolce Group partner Lonnie Moore. They will choose one of the celebrities to become a partner in the restaurant.

The most hilarious part about this, besides VH1 identifying Ashley Dupre simply as a “singer,” is that VH1’s press release insists the show stars “a cast of food connoisseurs.”

Of course, all of this sounds like a ridiculous joke, and there’s good reason: it comes from producers Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego at 51 Minds Entertainment, the company responsible for all of VH1’s ridiculous dating shows and, before that, The Surreal Life, so despite the fact that VH1’s press release takes all of this seriously, perhaps they’re returning to their celebrity-mocking roots.

[link]


erikaj - Apr 21, 2011 10:18:42 am PDT #16525 of 23273
Always Anti-fascist!

Are there any *likable* reality stars? Um, Mike Rowe, Tim Gunn(I don't even watch that show, and I still like him, I guess.) I like Bourdain, but that may be proof that I'm a dick.(Speaking of, I think part of his soul just died, upon hearing that those doofuses were inflicting themselves upon the restaurant business.) Anyone else?


Frankenbuddha - Apr 21, 2011 10:25:52 am PDT #16526 of 23273
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"

I like Bourdain, but that may be proof that I'm a dick.

Heh. Have you seen his Boston episode of No Reservations? He certainly brought a highly idosyncratic view of Boston (mainly filtered through The Friends of Eddie Coyle, book and movie).


Matt the Bruins fan - Apr 21, 2011 10:30:31 am PDT #16527 of 23273
"I remember when they eventually introduced that drug kingpin who murdered people and smuggled drugs inside snakes and I was like 'Finally. A normal person.'” —RahvinDragand

Do the Mythbusters count as reality stars?


meara - Apr 21, 2011 10:32:45 am PDT #16528 of 23273

I find Adrienne from the first season of Top Model amusing (I'm not sure if "likeable" is the right word...but then I tend to actually like the girls that are not "nice"--Elyse that first season was my favorite!!)

ETA: Adrienne has been on several reality shows, which is why I specify her rather than any of the other Top Models!


Jessica - Apr 21, 2011 10:33:06 am PDT #16529 of 23273
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

There've been several likable TAR teams. Can we have a reality show that stars the clowns and the twin male models?


erikaj - Apr 21, 2011 10:52:32 am PDT #16530 of 23273
Always Anti-fascist!

I thought it was great,Frank, but I'm also the sort of person who could be driven to the Pine Barrens in the dead of night and think "Sopranos shoutout!(sniff) Aw, you guys!"

There may be things wrong with us.

But I do(Halfway, at least, cause I haven't been there myself) understand that All of Boston Doesn't Look Like That. Honest.(I know it's a different part, but that one had a certain Lehane-osity. Kinda missed Dennis, really. He could talk about how he carved some poor, fictional, fucker up and Bourdain can tell us which parts would taste like chicken. *I'd* watch it.) Actually, that one made me more comfortable than when he's talking about the latest trends in calf eyeballs with his buddy who's the sous-chef at L'Enfer Especial or what-have-you.

Sometimes I think they are the culinary equivalent of the guys who write to Dan Savage because they can only come when covered in maple syrup and with a blue lego(and it has to be blue, Dan, any thoughts?) up their asses. And, yet, I still love that damn show.

I told my mother that, because we're so close that I sometimes forget she's not my age and doesn't know who Dan Savage is...she made *such* a face. ETA: Context.


le nubian - Apr 21, 2011 10:55:44 am PDT #16531 of 23273
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

Adrienne was fine until she really went off the deep end a few years back. I don't think you'd like her much now, meara.


Jesse - Apr 21, 2011 10:56:54 am PDT #16532 of 23273
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Are there any *likable* reality stars?

Depends what you mean by stars, really. I mean Mike Boogie level stars? Sure -- a bunch of contestants from Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race, and more are extremely likeable!

In foodie news, my coworker's friend is being taken to Le Bernardin, had never heard of it before, and doesn't like seafood much. Unfair!!


erikaj - Apr 21, 2011 11:01:09 am PDT #16533 of 23273
Always Anti-fascist!

Even though I'm not really a foodie, that does seem like "Um, do I want these tickets right on the hardwood?"