MSN TV Blog - Reality TV

The future ex-Travel Channel star has 'No Reservations' about another network series

By Kenny Herzog Jun 7, 2012 9:35AM
Apparently, current "No Reservations" raconteur Anthony Bourdain's appetite for exotic street food is exceeded only by his lust for international televised omnipotence. Just a couple weeks ago, the irascible chef announced he'd be ditching Travel Channel and hosting an as-yet-untitled series for CNN in 2013. Now, ABC has unveiled the below casting video for a new cooking competition hosted by, who else, Anthony Bourdain, along with feisty British grub aficionado Nigella Lawson. 
 
 
Tony B. confirmed with Eater that the ABC venture is a go, adding, "It's true. I will be hosting a competitive reality series for ABC. I'm particularly looking forward to working with Nigella, who's a friend from way back.... More to come later."

Bing:
More on Anthony Bourdain | Nigella Lawson

So, amateur short-order cooks and gourmet kitchen-wranglers, this is your chance to be judged on national TV in an atmosphere slightly less intense than "Hell's Kitchen," but more eccentric than "Top Chef." And America's viewers may as well prep their senses for a seriously enormous portion of Bourdain in 2013, unappealing as that particular choice of words may seem.

 

National Guard asserts stuttering country singer never injured by grenade

By Corey Levitan Jun 6, 2012 8:55AM
dailymail.co.uk

The stuttering country singer who wooed the crowd and judges on "America's Got Talent" is apparently a fraud.

Sgt. Timothy Michael Poe, who introduced himself during the first night of auditions in Austin on Monday night, said he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade while serving with the National Guard in Afghanistan in 2009. He said the brain injury he received was responsible for his stutter, and that he only started singing after it was recommended to him as a form of speech therapy.

 

Bing: More about "America's Got Talent"

 

“Sgt. Poe’s official military records do not indicate that he was injured by a grenade in combat while serving in Afghanistan in 2009, as he reports,” a spokesman for the Guard  said in a widely reported statement.

Exactly what else is not true about the story is unclear. Records indicated that Poe did serve as a supply specialist for the Guard from Dec. 2002 through May 2011, a month of which he served in Afghanistan in 2009.

 

Also: Summer reality TV fare | Summer TV guide for parents

 

However, AGTNews adds that his ex-wife, an Air Force veteran, claims Poe is a compulsive liar whom she "never heard have a stutter like (he had on the show)."

On his Sirius radio show, Howard Stern blasted Poe this morning.

"You never lie about your military service," he said. "This lie is wrong on so many levels … This really sickens me."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Poe performed a rendition of Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes." Check out the video.

 

"America's Got Talent" airs Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

 

The guys fight for Emily’s heart, while Ryan seals up this season’s villain role

By MSN TV Jun 5, 2012 2:37PM

'The Bachelorette'/ABCBy Diane Vadino

Special to MSN TV

 

It's Episode 4 of "The Bachelorette." And whatever charms of Charlotte, N.C., we've left unexplored will remain ever thus: "You'll be leaving this mansion forever," Chris Harrison tells the guys, not at all dramatically, because we're about to travel to "the first stop on a worldwide trip": Bermuda.  The guys collectively whoop and holler until we arrive at their hotel, where we learn that there will be three dates: the group excursion, the one-on-one, and the "dreaded" (it's always "dreaded," in one of Chris Harrison's favorite recurring adjectives) two-on-one. Arie reads the first date card: "Arie, let's explore again." (He's kidding.) It's Doug. The guys razz him: "I think you're building it up too much in your head," one says. Doug is "over the top humble" (as Chris puts it later), but he does not take well to the razz.

 

Bing: More about Emily Maynard | 'The Bachelorette'

 

In fact, if Emily arrived for their date a minute or so earlier, she would have seen him in his less-than-happy state. But because she didn't, she's still worried that Doug is Mr. Perfect (better known as: ex-fiancé Brad Womack.) "I never see you getting grumpy or short," she tells him as they sightsee their way across the island. "This guy can't be for real." Emily asks Doug to name his flaws, and he's all, I'm toooo perfect, it's soooo hard. Emily says that those really aren't flaws. "That's really sweet of you," he says. But she's not being sweet, she says. "I could probably come up with better flaws than 'I'm too good of a mom,'" she says. But then he asks her to name them, and she's basically like, I'm toooo perfect, it's soooo hard. So she gives up, conceding that putting people on the spot is not the right thing to do. "I'm not a genius, but I'm not a dummy; I'm not wealthy, but I'm not poor. I'm just Doug," he says. "Maybe Doug just is that perfect of a person," Emily concludes. One thing he is not perfect at is getting the good-night kiss. Never before has a group of bachelors been so totally inept with this. "I don't ever make the first move -- ever," Doug says. At the exact moment that he should have gone for it, he says, "Shall we?" and they leave.

 

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

 

Next we have our group date, which pits the red team against the yellow team. Spoiler: The yellow team wins, so the red team (despite Sean's Division I football-playing competitive spirit) head back to the hotel -- there is some bellyaching about this and, actually, a tiny but noticeable bit of crying. There is some good news in this for Emily. She gets more time with yellow-teamers Arie, with whom she promptly makes out, and Jef. The Utah entrepreneur is afflicted with the same disease as Doug, and at the exact moment he should have gone for his own smooch, he instead says, "Should we go back?" (Is it because she's a mom? Because she's Barbie-doll perfect?)

 

The real drama, such as it is, is reserved for Ryan, who continues his devolution into total douchebag. He begins by calling Emily his "trophy possible wife." "She's been given great responsibility, and I want to see her do a lot with it," Ryan says. (And yes, he is cribbing from Spider-Man.) Everything he says sounds like it was stolen from the Olympics of annoying guy lines: "I'm not here to impress you but to make an impression on you." "There's a lot of depth here." (He's talking about himself.) Emily reminds him of his previous annoying lines, like the one about how he wouldn't love her if she gained weight: "Would you like [my figure] if it hadn't been to the gym because I was chasing your kids around?" "Some pretty kids..." Ryan muses. "You're trying to get out of answering my question," says Emily, in a record-setting (for this show) level of holding someone accountable for his words. "God designed you to be a beautiful woman. So, be a beautiful woman," Ryan says. He's no Bentley, but he sure is quickly turning into this season's villain. Jef, thank goodness, gets the rose. Ryan, of course, ably reworks this as positive news for himself (it seems that Emily intuited that he'd be mad if she gave it to Arie). "I just feel like [Ryan is] judging me," Emily says.

 

The two-on-one date goes by mercifully quickly. It really does look like torture. Accountant Nate seems to spend half the night -- at dinner in a room of caves -- talking about the quinoa. "We can get boxes to go if y'all are hungry later," Emily says. Then, to us: "This is going to be the worst date of my life. John (a.k.a. "Wolf") does a much better job of keeping his issues under control -- as seen when Nate breaks down in tears describing how much he loves his family and friends. All John has to do is sit back and watch Nate self-destruct -- which is exactly what happens. "I wouldn't be honest if I said I saw us together forever," Emily says to Nate. He's going home, and John has the rose.

 

All that's left for the evening is the rose ceremony -- which would have gone without any fireworks if not for Ryan, essentially, setting himself on fire. He does this by revealing that he has not come on "The Bachelorette" for the right reasons, the gravest of all "Bachelorette" sins: "If it doesn't work out I'm involved with the media back home -- let's do "Bachelor Ryan," he says. "Whether I end up with [Emily] or, not this is part of the journey that I'm walking." Here's hoping that he's the guy Emily curses out next week. (I still have a suspicion that that honor goes to Alejandro. I can think of no other reason why we've suddenly seen so much of him.)

 

Out on this night: Two guys who get more screen time walking out of the hotel than they did the rest of the season -- Charlie and Michael, who is so adorable. Here's hoping that guy is exceptionally boring, or Emily has made a terrible mistake.

 

Next week: London -- and Emily's F-bombs.

 

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

 

On vacation from filming, the reality clan keeps on filming

By Corey Levitan Jun 5, 2012 10:14AM
bossip.com

The Kardashians feel they don't spend enough time in front of cameras. That's why, on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic, they felt it necessary to film their own video for the Notorious B.I.G. song "Hypnotize."

The vid shows they like goofing around with each other, and that's great. Particularly fun is Bruce Jenner's choice in bongos: Kris Jenner's butt.

 

Bing: More about 'Keeping Up With the Kardashians'

 

"We always have the craziest time filming these," Celebuzz quotes Kourtney Kardashian. "It's become a tradition now." (This BuzzFeed post  links to the similar Kardashian lip-synch videos produced during similar vacations.)

 

Also: Summer reality TV fare | Summer TV guide for parents

 

However, the latest video shows nothing more compelling than familiar faces and friends pretending to rap and grind like Biggie while positioned on different areas of a yacht, then making it rain with fake money on a beach. Here, check it out for yourself:

In addition, it is fairly elaborately produced for its lack of content, revealing the precious vacay time spent setting up shots, then shooting multiple takes.

Doesn't this family already do this for a living?

What brings this tradition to a higher level of wrong is the family's choice to proudly release these clips to YouTube instead of keeping them in their private DVD collection.

 

Then again, Kardashians don't have a sterling reputation for keeping private videos very private, do they?


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

 

'Toddlers & Tiaras' girl gets her own series

By Corey Levitan Jun 1, 2012 9:52AM
womansday.com

In the surest sign yet that the world will come to an end this year, Honey Boo Boo Child is getting her own spinoff.

According to US Weekly, six-year-old Alana Thompson -- introduced to TLC viewers via "Toddlers & Tiaras" in January -- is confirmed to star in "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo."

 

Bing: More about Honey Boo Boo Child | More on 'Toddlers & Tiaras'

The new reality series -- so far consisting of six half-hour episodes -- will intersperse glimpses of the toddler's professional life with her tiara-less personal life among the mudpits of rural Georgia.

Viewers will get to see plenty of their favorite star along with her belching mom, June; her chalk-mining dad, Sugar Bear; and sisters Lauryn "Pumpkin," 12; Jessica "Chubbs," 15; and Anna "Chickadee," who is 17 and pregnant.


A statement from the apparently proud network calls Ms. Boo Boo Child "more than just a Go-Go Juice-drinking beauty queen."

In other words, the Mayan calendar is correct.

 

 

More: Must See Reality TV


Tell us what you think about Honey Boo Boo Child on MSN TV Facebook and MSN TV Twitter.

 

"Toddlers & Tiaras" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.



 

The 21-year-old really wants world to know she and her implants are not expecting

By Kenny Herzog May 31, 2012 10:15AM
See, 'Teen Mom' tabloid magnet Jenelle Evans is totes not preggers. Just thought we'd settle that ongoing debate.

Bing: More on Jenelle Evans | "Teen Mom"

The MTV reality show's most high-profile and controversial alum has managed to keep herself and the series in headlines practically without interruption the past couple years. Whether it's multiple arrests, impulsive engagements to guys who wear shirts like this or going under the knife for breast implants, Evans has a nose for being newsworthy.

Most recently, she's been the subject of pregnancy rumors, leading to much concerted speculation about the possibility of expanding her empire into a "Legal Drinking Aged-Mom" spinoff. Or at least by us. Alas, Evans set the proverbial record straight by Tweeting this bikini pic to your left, along with the inspiring message, "No I'm not pregnant. No I'm not fat. Check out my new bathing suit. :) I love it. SO BRIGHT!" Much like her future, we're sure. 

 

The CW's new dance docu-drama serves up their signature sultry angst

By Sona Charaipotra May 31, 2012 12:16AM
Photo courtesy the CW
The CW's newest sure bet? The six-week reality dance drama "Breaking Pointe," which follows the travails of a cast of beautiful young things at the Ballet West, a cut-throat regional company in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It's got all the right ingredients: gorgeous costumes, a pair of sexy, strong brothers (think "Vampire Diaries" in tights), competition, tears and adrenaline. Beckanne, 19, is on the fast track to principal dancer, while the current reigning queen bee, Allison, can't be pushed to commit to her on-again, off-again love Ronald. Meanwhile, his kid brother, Rex, is glad to have a family member to lean on in this bright new world -- but he's worried he may lose his new love, Katie, if she doesn't clean up her act and start pulling it together in the classroom. The pilot introduces key figures amongst the company's 40 dancers -- and starts on a turning point as they receive their contract renewals. Or not, as the case may be.  

Fascinating stuff. Or at least it should be. But there's something not quite there. Perhaps it's the all-white cast in the pilot, which may not even occur to some viewers, despite the where's-the-diversity backlash instigated by the HBO drama "Girls." Here, though, the world is clearly a niche, a small, specific demo that lives insular lives in a largely-white community who likes its dancers as pure as the driven snow. Still, as beautiful as the dancers are, the fact that most of them are pale, lean brunette's may leave viewers forgetting who's who.

This is compounded with the lethargic, underplayed energy of the storytelling -- it's all lovely images, shadows and lush costumes. But it moves at a lull -- you know something should be happening, but given the breakneck speed at which most plots progress on TV these days, this one almost seems, well, quiet.

Still, the insight the show offers into the exciting yet insular world of these dancers should draw viewers in -- and keep them there. 

Here's a sneak peek of the premiere:
"Breaking Pointe" premieres Thursday, May 31 at 8 p.m. on the CW. 
 

Lindsay's notorious giver of life gets her own series, and reportedly guests on another

By Kenny Herzog May 30, 2012 9:35AM
There are a handful of on-screen matriarchs currently competing for worst TV mom. Neglectful Sarah Linden of "The Killing" and vindictive "Mad Men" debutante Betty Draper come to mind. Nevermind incestuous manipulator Gillian Darmody on "Boardwalk Empire." Of course, those are fictional characters whose imperfections heighten artificial drama. Contrarily, Dina Lohan isn't a scripted fabrication. She is, in fact, Lindsay and Ali's actual, real-life mother, and is potentially about to give America two more reasons to question her parental aptitude.  

Bing: More on "Hollywood Exes" | "DramaMamas" | Dina Lohan 

First, Celebuzz has learned from the former "Living with Lohan" principal herself that Dina is directly involved in a currently network-less reality show titled "DramaMamas." The series will document a fledgling musical on its journey from written word to Broadway-aspiring performance spectacle. The elder Lohan tells Celebuzz that, “There is nothing more important to me than a parent standing behind their child and helping them fulfill their dreams,” clearly editing out the words "in court" after "their child."

Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that D-Lo (not to be confused with former WWE semi-great D'Lo Brown) is going to participate in several episodes of VH1's "Hollywood Exes." The story clarifies that she'd merely be appearing sporadically as a full-time cast member's friend, not a series regular. And given that said cast includes the one-time wives of Jose Canseco, Eddie Murphy and Prince, it's both impossible and endlessly entertaining to imagine which less-than-better half she considers a bestie.

No word on a possible Lindsay cameo in either of the aforementioned projects, but we're sure her people will be in touch with Dina's if an opportunity arises.

"Hollywood Exes" will premiere on VH1 this summer. "DramaMamas" goes into production this summer for a TBD network.