MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

Patriarch says reality show, store attracts eccentrics

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Jul 5, 2012 3:58PM

Customers can get pretty irate on Tru TV's hit reality show "Hardcore Pawn" and the Gold family -- patriarch Les and his adult kids, Seth and Ashley -- often have to get equally irate to keep the peace in their store, American Jewelry and Loan in Detroit.

 

Bing: More on 'Hardcore Pawn'  |  Les Gold and family

 

When the show returns for its sixth season July 10, 9 p.m. ET/PT on Tru TV, fans will see a foul-mouthed customer insult Ashley and infuriate Les, and a man who wants to use his computer even though he pawned it and doesn't have the money to get it out. 

 

Just in time for the show's return, Les Gold, 62, chatted with MSN TV about what viewers can expect.

 

MSN TV:  What was the deal with the computer guy?

Les Gold: When you pawn something to us, we can't allow you to use it. Otherwise, we'd have people coming in everyday wanting to use their merchandise. It's in pawn so we put it in storage.

 

It seems like common sense would tell you if something has been pawned, you can't use it.

Doesn't mean everybody (that we deal with) has common sense.

 

Plus: Reality TV's most ferocious women

 

And the horrible guy who was nasty with Ashley? What was that about?

Inappropriate behavior calls for inappropriate responses. He was very inappropriate with my daughter and I won't stand for it.

 

You roughhoused him a little bit to get your point across. Do you think he got the point?

Well, I treated him appropriately. We'll leave it at that. But he should have never spoken to Ashley that way. There's no question about it. He was really inappropriate and he paid the consequences.

 

Do you think he came on the show with the intention of being crude and getting on camera? Ashley even mentions that he'd been a customer before and had never behaved like that.

That doesn't mean there's not some issues in his life that made him change a little bit. He changed a little too much and I had to escort him out cautiously. People see a camera and they want their five minutes of fame, when they see the cameras here they may act a little differently.

 

You do not look 62. You're in incredible shape. What's your secret?

The key is you have to work out and you have to wake up every morning and say to yourself, "How bad do you want it?" And I want it just as bad at 62 as I did at 32.

 

"Hardcore Pawn" returns Tuesday, July 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Tru TV.

 

 

 
Tags: Interview

The ballet hunk confesses to an emotional ending to the dance drama's six-week season

By Sona Charaipotra Jul 5, 2012 3:29PM
Photo courtesy CW TV
Blink and you've missed the CW's six-week dance docu-drama, "Breaking Pointe," which ends it's short run tonight. 


But one of the show's stars, Rex Tilton -- who's pretty much recovered from the traumatic somersault he made during last week's performance episode -- promises a strong finish for those who have been tuning into life behind-the-scenes at Utah's esteemed Ballet West company. 

"There's going to be a lot more of the romantic drama, of course," says the 24-year-old San Diego-native, who's been dancing since he was 15. "Tonight's definitely going to be the climax. Allison and I are still figuring things out, and it all comes to a head." 

And while Allison's apparently mixed feelings towards Rex have been making her look like the baddie, Tilton says, "I hope they aren't too harsh on either of us tonight. I do care for Allison a lot, and it's been really hard watching the reaction, especially on Twitter. With reality TV, they definitely know how to cut to the root of the issue. The cameras came at the perfect time for the company but the worst time for Allison and me. We weren't really able to hide much."

But whether we'll get to see them live happily ever after remains to be seen. For one, the show has yet to be picked up for a second season. And, Tilton notes, dancing takes precedence over any relationship in their world. "I understand what Allison is going through," he says of his maybe-girlfriend. "Nobody gets it unless they're a dancer, too. But at this level, you follow the work and it can be hard to maintain a relationship. You think you're making the right choices, but there are no guarantee about the way things are going to pan out in a relationship. But there are no guarantees in ballet, either. It's really hard to have a normal life." 

Lucky for Tilton, his brother Ronald is currently in the same company. "It definitely helps to have family to lean on," he says. "I like having him around to talk to. But I know he's torn between staying here with me and following [his girlfriend] Katie. I wouldn't force him, either way. You have to do what's right for you."

In any case, whether or not the show's picked up for season two, Tilton hopes the show will bring audiences back to the ballet. "We've developed a pretty loyal fan following, but with the economy the way it is, we've really taken a hit," he says, "so even though these are tough times, I'm hoping people will be inspired to still find the money to do something special like that."

The season finale of "Breaking Pointe" airs tonight at 8 p.m. on the CW. 
 

Report: NBC pushing Trump for it

By Corey Levitan Jul 5, 2012 12:35PM
USA Today

Season 13 of 'Celebrity Apprentice' could be an all-star edition. According to the New York Post, NBC wants a battle between former winners Piers Morgan, Joan Rivers and Bret Michaels -- as well as fan favorites Trace Adkins, Omarosa, Gene Simmons, Lennox Lewis, Meat Loaf, Jesse James and Gary Busey. And the network wants a February premiere date.


Bing: More about 'Celebrity Apprentice' | More: See our 'Celebrity Apprentice' dream cast

Also being considered, says the newspaper's unnamed sources, are Marlee Matlin, Sharon Osbourne, Cyndi Lauper, Marilu Henner and Dennis Rodman.

Of course, the first person NBC needs aboard is Donald Trump. And according to the Post, he's mulling it over.

 

Come for the dates — stay for the show's best prank yet

By MSN TV Jul 3, 2012 12:37PM

'The Bachelorette'/ABC

 

By Diane Vadino

Special to MSN TV

 

How did we get to hometowns already? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were gathered at the mansion with all those fresh-faced bachelors and Kalon was landing his helicopter on the lawn? But no: We're back from the Balkans and considering the remaining four bachelors: Fun Arie! Wacky Jeff! Studly Sean! And Chris, who seems to have wandered in from a different reality show (um, "Bachelor Pad 3," which he's just confirmed he'll be appearing in.) Side note: Why is Chris still even in this show? Because he's "very, very, very happy" when Emily comes to visit him and his family in Chicago's Hanover Park. I maintain that he is a bit of an odd duck, but he definitely gets his stuff slightly more together back home, showing us around his Polish-themed haunts: "On a scale of 1 to Polish, we're Polish," he says. It's kind of adorable the way this show reminds us of America's cultural diversity. (With more to come.) Happy Fourth of July! 

 

Bing: More about Emily Maynard | 'The Bachelorette'

 

Back at Chris' family's house, we have mom Rose, dad John and a bevy of protective siblings. It's the same slightly awkward family dinner as usual, with two exceptions: Chris's sister Renee is this year's overprotective (but usually accurate) sister who's like, dude, I can see you're not into him, so will you just cut him loose already so I don't have to pick up the pieces later? And dad John, meanwhile, commits the season's biggest sin: He tells Chris that Emily's in love with him, after John basically pries it out of her: "Do I sense some love?" John asks her, while Emily just kind of nods. It's a little painful, and it leads Chris — who's giddy with delight at his dad's misreading of the situation — in exactly the wrong direction. 

 

Photos: 'Bachelorette' stars: Where are they now? | This season's contestants

 

Next we're in St. George, Utah, with Jef, and his millions of siblings, since his parents are off in South Carolina doing "charity work." First up is some shooting: "Who knew Jef in his skinny jeans was such a good shot?" Emily says, before picking up the rifle herself. "I'm nervous 'cause I don't want to totally suck." She figures it out, and they carry on to the family gathering, attended by siblings aplenty (Steve, Mike, Melissa and Julie — and "there's a few missing here.") "Honestly, parents usually love me," Emily says. "[But] I'm going to have to work my charm on a lot of brothers and sisters." And there does seem to be some level of disconnect — at least between how Jef has always seen himself previously ("They know I'm free-spirited and do my own thing") and how he's positioning himself to Emily, as a guy who can't wait to be a dad as soon as possible. "She's like the coolest girl in the world," Jef says. "I've never seen you with those other girls," Steve says. The best for Emily, though, is yet to come. Jef takes her out into the wilderness and reads her an exceptionally sincere-sounding love letter, which includes the following: "From the first time I met you, there was a unique connection ... I  love the way you smile; I love the way you grab my hand and hold it. ... Most of all I'm completely and hopeless in love with you." Do you buy it? I totally buy it. I'm confused as to whether I'm rooting for Jef or Arie, but I buy it. 

 

Speaking of, our Indy car racer is next, and we're headed to Scottsdale to watch Arie zip around the track. ("Arie definitely looks stupid hot," Emily says.) Arie's dad is Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, Sr., and that last name is our first clue that we're about to get "The Bachelorette's" first-ever Dutch-language interlude. (Moooooi!) Arie is open about his concerns bringing Emily into the fold of his European family: "I think tonight the person I have to win over is my mother," he tells Emily. "If they say bad things, I'll just translate them favorably." Which is funny but also slightly terrifying. 

 

And so it goes: Halfway through their remarks, Arie's mom Mieke starts speaking in Dutch, which means Emily gets to enjoy sitting there in silence until Arie realizes they're torturing her. Eventually, his mom drags Emily outside: "So, do you want to have a chat with me? I was just wondering like a few things." It's so terrifying and Dutch and includes perhaps the most thorough read of last year's "Bachelor" debacle yet. "Usually when you're being proposed to you're not the Bachelorette," Mieke says. Didn't see that coming, Emily? Nevertheless, Arie is resolute: "I could definitley propose to her right now." 

 

Finally, we're in Dallas with Sean's family. The day ends with the usual family pow-wows, and Sean does this funny thing where he runs down his street (Sean is forever running down streets yelling Emily's name) to smooch her. But none of that matters, because what precedes it is easily the funniest (er, intentionally funniest) moment on this show ever, when perfect Sean shows Emily where he actually lives — essentially, in his parents' attic. With his stuffed animals ("that's Moomoo, and that's Froggy"), and his saltines, and his cookie crumbs. "I'm trying my best to be a polite Southern girl," Emily says, "when in reality I'm going back on every conversation we had." Personally, I totally bought it when Sean says, "I wish my mom had picked up a little bit." (My notes read: "Did the producers not let him clean up his room?") Emily: "In that moment, it was like every amazing thing I had thought about Sean completely shattered." To Sean: "That's alright—I can clean," she says, dying on the inside. "He's a mess, and he's really into stuffed animals." At that point, Sean can't take it anymore: "The look on her face was pure horror and disgust." But it was all a joke! And most definitely the best joke ever played on this show. 

 

Without much ado, though, we're in Las Vegas for the night's cocktail party where four are about to become three. Jef and Arie snag the first roses, and it's clear who's going home — though even if it was a prank, I think Sean's prank is still freaking Emily out. Chris is gone. He's thinking, But my dad said! "I loved the girl, and I thought she loved me back," he says. It's sad, but he's so aggro about it that it's hard to feel bad for him. "I'm 10 times the man of all those dudes that are still in there right now," Chris says. We're betting he'll be back in fighting mode in a couple weeks — when "Bachelor Pad 3" premieres.

 

"The Bachelorette" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

 

Unlike in years past, the happy couple will go straight to rehash mode

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Jul 2, 2012 3:48PM

'The Bachelorette'/ABC

Emily Maynard will have barely processed her happily-eve after on the July 22 finale of ABC's "The Bachelorette" before her and her Prince Charming are whisked away to shoot the "After the Final Rose" special.

 

Bing: 'The Bachelorette' |  Emily Maynard

 

ABC usually pre-tapes its "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" finales and subsequent follow-up but this year, Maynard and her man (Arie, Chris, Jef or Sean) will go straight to the live special immediately after she hands the man of her dreams his rose, the network announced today.

 

Related: Cast of 'The Bachelorette' Season 8

 

Both "The Bachelorette" finale and "After the Final Rose" will also air on a new night, Sunday instead of Monday, another network first in the seven-year history of the show.

 

"The Bachelorette" finale airs Sunday, July 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. "After the Final Rose" airs Sunday, July 22, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.   

 

 
Tags: Bachelor

Bravo special stresses the importance of big and small things

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Jul 1, 2012 4:51PM

 

If you're looking for a positive spin on reality TV, check out the Bravo special "10 Things That Make Me Happy." The half-hour program follows Bravo stars Kyle Richards of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" fame and designer Jonathan Adler of "Top Design."

 

Bing: More on Kyle Richards  | Jonathan Adler

 

Both Richards and Adler will give audiences a glimpse into their worlds by highlighting the 10 things that make them happy -- big and small.

 

Prized possessions run the gamut of costs and sentiments including designer handbags, a custom couture ping-pong table and family heirlooms. Richards will even reveal the secret to her coveted shiny hair, a beauty tip which rings in at just under $10.

 

Plus: Controversial TV shows   |  The Best of 'So You Think You Can Dance'

 

"10 Things That Make Me Happy" airs Sunday, July 1, at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.

 

 

 

Choreographer plugs the dance competition series' 200th episode

By Mekeisha Madden Toby Jun 27, 2012 10:06AM

'Mia Michaels' '/' Fox

 

Mia Michaels is a fascinating woman.

 

A choreographer on the hit FOX show, "So You Think You Can Dance," Michaels has grabbed headlines as of late for the work she did teaching Tom Cruise how to move in the big-screen musical, "Rock of Ages."

 

Bing: More on 'So You Think You Can Dance' | Mia Michaels

 

After finishing up the movie, Michaels returned to "So You Think You Can Dance" to once again guide young dancers and give them the steps and confidence they need to win.

 

Michaels, 42, chatted up reporters in a teleconference to promote the show's 200th episode, which is airing Wednesday June 27, the same night the Top 20 finalists will be revealed.

 

MSN TV: What advice would you give to the top 20 finalists?

 

Mia Michaels: Be inspired. Have a healthy competition with the people around you but stay focused and be the best you can be. Become your own competition. That's always what I've done in every phase of my career.

 

Are there any dances you want to learn?

 

I would love to learn Latin ballroom. I want my legs to look like that. My parents ballroom danced and dance was always a part of everything. I was running around a studio at 3 years old. Plus I'm from Miami.

 

Is there anything you think the finalists should work on?

 

Have a work ethic. We had to have them really open up and we worked to pull more out of them as performers. Initially, they held back a little bit during rehearsals but after last night's show, they got it. They know now that it's important to go hard. It's a blood, sweat and tears sort of thing. Having a work ethic is everything. That's the key for sure.

 

What is your dream collaboration?

 

I would love to work with Tim Burton. I want to do film and stage musicals and I love his work. And Baz Luhrmann. And Sting.

 

Are there any dances you want to bring back from the past?

 

The Roger Rabbit. I Roger Rabbit-ed for the gods. (Laughs) They need to bring that back in a really unique and classic way.

 

Also: Reality TV's most ferocious females | TV's boys of summer | Summer reality TV fare

 

"So You Think You Can Dance" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

 

Former daytime queen reportedly will make cameo on E! reality series

By Corey Levitan Jun 27, 2012 8:34AM
ivillage.com

Oprah, how the mighty have fallen! In order to land big interviews these days, Oprah Winfrey apparently has to offer big favors in return.

 

According to US Magazine, Winfrey -- once the most watched and respected media mogul on earth -- has agreed to appear on an upcoming episode of E!'s "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

 

Bing: More about 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'

 

"Oprah signed the release!" the story quotes an excited unnamed source.

Not coincidentally, Winfrey was fortunate enough to recently score Kim Kardashian for an interview on her OWN cable network (which, due to poor ratings, is teetering on the brink of nonexistence). During the interview, according to US, Kardashian said, "I've obviously made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime, but I'm not the type to sit and beat myself up over it." Winfrey then replied, "That is so perfect, I could weep."

 

Also: Reality TV's most ferocious females | TV's boys of summer | Summer reality TV fare


It's possible that Winfrey's cameo consists entirely of allowing E! to use footage of her interacting with Kardashians backstage at OWN. And, for Winfrey's sake, we hope that's all it is. However, the US story seems to suggest that more is involved. And, of course, it spins Winfrey's commitment not as a quid-pro-quo situation, but as an organic byproduct of her becoming instant BFF's with the K-Klan.

"She and Khloe [Kardashian Odom] especially hit it off," the US source said. "Khloe had her dying laughing. It meant so much because she loves Oprah!"

"Keeping Up With the Kardashians" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on E!