Gold medal-winning swimmer would first need to ask his family, however
Ryan Lochte's plans to dominate TV as we know it are taking shape.
The gold medal-winning swimmer and the evil mastermind behind the catchphrase "Oh jeah" was a guest on "The Tonight Show" Thursday and joked with Jay Leno about his single status. Lochte, 28, added that he wouldn't mind being the center of attention on ABC's "The Bachelor," but would have to talk to his family first.
Bing: More on Ryan Lochte | 'The Bachelor'
"If they asked me to do 'The Bachelor,' I would consider it," he said, adding that for the past four years he's been training for the Olympics and wasn't able to date seriously.
Lochte, who is clearly enjoying his newfound status as a heartthrob, said he's also thinking about becoming a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."
"In college I took a dancing class. I got an A, so I think think I’d be pretty good at it," he said.
Plus: Must-see, new fall shows | New fall shows to avoid
Lochte isn't just weighing his reality TV options. The Rochester, N.Y., native recently shot a cameo on the CW's "90210."
Season 5 of "90210" returns Monday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. "The Bachelor" season 17 debuts in 2013 on ABC.
| Tags: | Bachelor |
Maksim Chmerkovskiy's thinly veiled tweet seems targeted at the soccer star
Not content with merely winning gold at this summer's Olympics, U.S. women's soccer goalie Hope Solo has been stirring up quite a bit of controversy off the field. First, there was her Twitter dismissal of past Olympic champion and current broadcast commentator Brandi Chastain. Now, with Hope's autobiography, "Solo: A Memoir of Hope," making the rounds, people are buzzing about her accusations that "Dancing With the Stars" Season 13 partner Maksim Chmerosskiy physically "manhandled" her during rehearsals and even slapped her in the face.Season 2.5 of WE tv's 'Braxton Family Values' full of youngest sister's drama
Although Toni Braxton has the name everyone knows, her youngest sister Tamar has been the catchphrase-slinging breakout star on "Braxton Family Values" since the day the hit WE tv reality series debuted. So, it should come as no surprise to fans that the most outspoken sibling in the brood is getting her own spin-off, "Tamar & Vince."
Bing: More on WE tv's 'Braxton Family Values' | Toni Braxton | Tamar Braxton
What might be a little jarring is that the second half of "Braxton Family Values" Season 2, which kicks off Thursday, Aug. 16, is little more that a thinly veiled launching pad for Tamar's new show. It debuts in September.
This time around on "Braxton Family Values," Tamar and her Lady Gaga-producing hubby, Vince, are trying to get pregnant -- something that has them exploring every option including surrogates. For added drama, one potential candidate is Towanda, the normally level-headed one.
Plus: Must-see fall shows | Fall shows that don't stand a chance
Other histrionic plots include Toni's search for background singers to replace her sisters and Trina confronting her soon-to-be ex-husband, Gabe. Best believe "Tamar dot com" will eclipse all of this.
Will this be too much Tamar for TV? Is that even possible? We'll see.
"Braxton Family Values" Season 2.5 returns Thursday, Aug. 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on WE tv. "Tamar & Vince" debuts Thursday, Sept. 20, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Report: Leakes refuses to join all-star 'Celebrity Apprentice'
NeNe Leakes has turned down an offer to appear on the reported upcoming all-star edition of "Celebrity Apprentice," according to EW.
Bing: More about NeNe Leakes | 'Celebrity Apprentice'
The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star -- who now juggles her duties on that show with recurring roles on "Glee" and an upcoming NBC sitcom called "The New Normal" -- tells the magazine that shooting the Donald Trump reality show was "hard as hell."
"You work every single day except for Sunday from sunup to sundown," she says. "You're locked into a war room and you have to give up your cell phone, your iPad, your laptop, everything.
"It's a tough show. I can't do it again!"
Plus: Reality TV stars who need introductions | Summer TV guide
Actually, Leakes never quite did it the first time. She walked off the 10th episode of the 11th season -- complaining not about the schedule but about mistreatment at the hands of fellow contestant Star Jones. But, whatever.
"The New Normal" premieres Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Celebrity chef's new show tackles the hotel industry

Two prevailing thoughts emerge while watching Gordon Ramsay's latest show "Hotel Hell."
One, the celebrity chef has found a new group of people to yell at. And two, he has too many FOX shows. "Hotel Hell" is Ramsay's fourth program on the network, and it premieres over two days starting Monday, Aug. 13. In the opener, Ramsay takes on the owners of a stately but struggling inn in Vermont.
Bing: More on 'Hotel Hell' | Gordon Ramsay
But before you write the Scot off as a culinary version of Ryan Seacrest -- a comparison Ramsay loathes -- check out this husband and father's take on the hospitality industry, consumer advocacy, and what he sees as an undue reputation as a hothead.
Plus: Reality stars that need introductions | 'Dancing With the Stars' All-Stars
Ramsay sat down and chatted with MSN TV after a recent panel promoting his show at the Television Critics Association's press tour in Beverly Hills.
MSN TV: It seemed like the reporters in that panel were trying to rile you up and get you to yell. Do you get that a lot?
Gordon Ramsay: Yes. A lot of it gets misconstrued because people think it's anger. Yeah, I get pissed off. Yeah, I get upset. But I want things to be done right. Why do I want it right? Because I care. That's what never comes across properly. How much I care. I'm in the industry. This is not something I just do. This is my life. So, whether it's s----- service in a restaurant that's arrogant and obnoxious or it's food that's bland or a hotel room that hasn't been made over properly, I care.
Do you think your fans wish they could yell as much as you do?
I understand this is a politically correct world and the importance of that but we've got to be real. I've got to get things done. Yes, I know I'm not saving lives but I think that level of drive is healthy today. I think competition is healthy as well. I look at obesity, for instance. That's the biggest frustration on my mind. Everyone's singling out the kids but it's the parents. If you have children and you nurse them to become obese, it's the same as driving under the influence. Like with that, you should be held responsible. It's from the beginning. You don't have to be rich to eat healthily. I keep it real.
What made you want to do "Hotel Hell" and rehab inns and bed and breakfasts?
I'm not rubbing people's faces in it. I mean it. I take this show very seriously. Whether it's a $400 a night or a $200 night establishment, I don't care. We've got to get it right. That's the way I am. The minute I start taking shortcuts as an individual in this industry, I'd rather not do it.
Will viewers stop staying in hotels after seeing your show?
I hope not but everyone has had a bad hotel experience. The objective of "Hotel Hell" is to appeal to that commonality. Americans don't have long breaks. You don't have the holidays that we have in the U.K. All you have is these weekends away so they're more precious, I think. So booking a hotel now will be a lot more happier and evident in terms of great experiences on the back of "Hotel Hell." Don't be put off by the title.
While promoting "Hotel Hell," you mentioned several times that customers don't complain enough. Can you explain that notion?
We don't complain enough. When you go into a clothing store, you don't buy a shirt or a pair of pants that don't fit properly. The same goes for a hotel or restaurant. You've got the right to ask for better. The more we complain, the better things are going to get.
You've been accused of overexposure now that you have four FOX shows. What's your response to this kind of criticism?
It's different sectors of the same industry. I would've preferred the program to have gone out back in April like it should've but I don't get involved with the politics of scheduling. But it's all the hospitality industry. "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef" are similar shows but one deals with amateurs and the other deals with professionals. "Hotel Hell" is an extension of "Hell's Kitchen." What you have to realize is the difference my shows are making in people's lives. The phenomenon of "MasterChef" with 57,000 applicants, is amazing and viewers are dictating it. Do I ever get tired of Ryan Seacrest on "Idol" two or three nights a week and his radio show and his show on E!? No, I love the guy. But I don't understand the comparison. I don't get caught up in TV stardom. I work friggin' hard. I just got out of prison for a new show in the UK called "Gordon Behind Bars." I set up a cottage industry called Bad Boys Bakery that sold lemon slice (tarts). All the glamour and the glitz that goes with studios and cameras were put aside for this documentary style show. We're talking about doing something like it in the U.S. We've had 15 million viewers in the last four weeks.
What made you want to do "Gordon Behind Bars"?
The objective is doing something positive in a system that hasn't changed in three decades. It's dysfunctional and 72 percent are reoffending and there are 92,000 inmates. Sadly, my little brother has been inside and he's still suffering from addiction. And it was about keeping one foot on the carpet. I never get carried away. They were trying to rile me today and poke at me. I take that s--- everywhere I go. I'm used to it now. It's like come on guys. Can we be a little bit more stimulating?
With all of these shows and projects, would you say your passion is still in the kitchen?
My passion is in my level of perfection of food and that's in the kitchen mainly. But I like that other side. I'm 45 now. Do I want to spend 18 hours a day of my life in a kitchen? Not really. No. I always like to move forward. They always make a big deal. "Hey, your show is being dropped." But I've had 12 seasons of "Hell's Kitchen." Before anything gets canceled, I want to make sure I'm onto the next thing to continue moving forward. I like jumping off the bandwagon before I'm told to get off.
"Hotel Hell" premieres Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 13 and 14, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.
| Tags: | Hell's Kitchen |
Popular Olympic swimmer poised to become TV personality

Multiple reality show offers are being floated to Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Lochte, 28, won five medals in London. However, that had as much to do with his appeal as his admission of urinating in the pool, his attempt to wear a $25,000 diamond-and-ruby American flag mouth grill while accepting the gold medal for the 400 meter individual medley (which Team USA forced him to remove), and his own mother decrying his penchant for one-night stands. ("He's more of a love 'em and leave 'em type," she told "Today" last week.)
Plus: Olympic TV efforts
Lochte's sports agent told THR that "two different reality show concepts have been offered and one additional is being discussed."
Lochte -- who plans to relocate to Los Angeles following the Olympics -- also told reporters in London that he would love to do "Dancing With the Stars," perhaps in a square-off with U.S. swimming teammate Michael Phelps.
Plus: Reality TV stars who need introductions | Summer TV guide
Last week, Lochte was named "America's Sexiest Douchebag" by a blog called Jezebel.
In related news, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino was discovered moving over.
Primetime coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics airs nightly at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC until Sunday, Aug. 12.
Kevin McHale joins Khloe Kardashian and others on list of reported possibilities
Kevin McHale might be the perfect option for a new "X Factor" co-host, which is the latest gossip being reported by TV Guide. After all, the "Glee" star, best known as that show's wheelchair-bound academic decathlete Artie Abrams, already has a veritable six degrees of separation from the reality talent competition. TV Guide Network series and its star vie for more viewers and buzz in Season 2

No one could ever accuse nail-salon owner and overnight reality vixen Katie Cazorla of being dull. Find out just how wild Cazorla's life can be when the star of the TV Guide Network's top-rated unscripted series "Nail Files" returns for a sophomore season of employee/client drama, business expansion and glamour.
Bing: More on 'Nail Files' | Katie Cazorla
The Season 2 opener debuts Sunday, Aug. 19, and will not disappoint with its high number of overblown crises. For starters, Cazorla, 34, must attend the ASCAP awards with her fiance Walter Afanasieff, a music producer, but doesn't have a dress. Gasp!
Later in the episode, Cazorla, who has a whole new roster of nail techs, has to reprimand an employee for feeding foot scrub to a client. Egats and ewww!
Plus: Reality TV stars who need introductions | Summer TV guide
But Cazorla is as ambitious as she is likeable and despite the show's insipid nail-salon setting, this woman who started out in Hollywood as an extra on "Suddenly Susan," is magnetic. How else can you explain the 1.1 million viewers, mostly women, who tuned in when the show debuted last year?
Sure, Cazorla's salon attracts C and D-listers such as Candace Cameron (last season) and Marissa Jaret Winokur (this season) but it's Cazorla who draws you in and keeps you watching.
"Nail Files" returns for a second season Sunday, Aug. 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the TV Guide Network.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.



