On Gear Live: Apple’s HUGE Siri Apple Intelligence Fumble w/ John Gruber - Geared Up 205

MTV JuviesLike Britney and Anna Nicole self-destructing in tandem, MTV has put out two new “reality” shows about kids who have made and are making some really horrible decisions: “Juvies” and “Engaged and Underage.”

So, full disclosure, I am, in fact, engaged, though not underage, and I have an extensive juvenile record that has, thankfully, been expunged.  Just kidding, I was a big ol’ goody two shoes, but I’ve recently realized that I am the target audience for both shows, and, really, just about all of MTV’s reality programming.

Why, you ask (as your coworkers stare at you, because why the hell are you talking to a computer screen)?  Because the purpose of MTV’s reality shows is not to give you a glimpse into the lives of others (as it is in … well, all right, that’s the stated goal of most reality shows, even though it rarely happens that way).  Nope, MTV’s reality shows are for one reason and one reason alone: to make you feel better about your life.

Click to continue reading Why MTV Reality Shows Make Us Feel Good

Gallery: Why MTV Reality Shows Make Us Feel Good


Advertisement

Rosie O'Donnell Rosie O’Donnell’s big opinions have gotten her in trouble again. This time, she butted heads with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on Wednesday’s show. While the show is called The View, I believe the format’s intention is to be a bit more tolerant of other people’s “views,” especially when you’re sharing the same table. Rosie and Elisabeth couldn’t see eye-to-eye on whether or not the government should be privy to citizens’ telephone conversations. Elisabeth was ok with it, but Rosie was not and berated her on the show, saying, “Elisabeth, you are very young, and you are very wrong.” Thursday, Rosie posted an apology on her web site via haiku (ugh, enough with the haikus already). The poem began, “i said some of elisabeths comments were ignorant / which was ignorant itself.” There was no mention of the incident on Friday’s show, so seems life will go on for The View‘s ladies.

Read More | People

Gallery: Rosie O’Donnell Apologizes for Comments to Co-Host


Anna Nicole FuneralThough the Anna Nicole Smith case still hasn’t been put to rest (nothing about Anna’s estate or her baby daughter has been decided), Anna herself will finally be put to rest Friday, March 2, 2007. The beautiful former model/reality TV star will be buried next to her son in the Bahamas, wearing a custom-made gown for the occasion. The very public funeral will give all those who cared about Anna the chance to mourn, but the event promises some surprises for fans, as well. According to insiders, an “undisclosed singer” will perform at Anna Nicole Smith’s funeral. The song that will be sung has also not been disclosed, nor whether or not this will be a previously unheard musical event. Who will sing? What will they sing? For some reason, Anna always manages to just raise more questions. At least some of the mystery will be solved tomorrow, when Anna is finally put to rest.

Read More | TV Guide

Gallery: Anna Nicole Attends Her Last Party


Antonella BarbaBeautiful, 20-year-old Antonella Barba got camera attention early as one of the two best friends auditioning for American Idol together. Both bombshells drew questions and comments from Simon Cowell (“I bet you two are very popular”) and managed to snag golden tickets to Hollywood. While Barba’s best friend half didn’t make it past Group Night, Antonella managed to survive through Hollywood week and find her way to the big Idol stage. Almost immediately thereafter, questionable photos began to surface of a scantily clad Barba (hem, allegedly of Barba) on the Internet. Antonella hails from Point Pleasant, NJ, a town that carries its own notoriety already – Point Pleasant is the home of the Mothman. There’s no word yet from American Idol execs on whether or not Antonella Barba will be asked to leave the competition, though Playboy founder Hugh Heffner did comment that he might ask her to pose in his famous magazine, when all her Idol business is said and done. Judging by the way Barba sings, he might not have to wait too long.

Read More | Antonella Barba

Gallery: Idol Cutie Embroiled in Nudie Scandal?


Paris HiltonThough the famous party girl Paris Hilton celebrated her 26th birthday with a big Las Vegas bash, she threw another party over the weekend for those friends who couldn’t make it to her first one. Well, for her friends and for herself - Paris loves to party. The celebutante opened her Hollywood Hills home (an extravagant pad filled with Paris pictures and an actual stripper pole right in the living room) and let the pink drinks flow from the bar for her crowd of friends and hangers-on. Red bull, Pinky Vodka, and AsomBroso Pink Tequila were liberally poured to party guests, who were on hand when Paris’s huge, present-shaped birthday cake was wheeled out among oohs and ahhs. Chocolates and other sweet treats circulated as Paris danced the night away. Paris told Extra that her favorite birthday present came from boyfriend Stavros Niarchos, an elegant (read “expensive”) bracelet for her wrist. Many of Paris’s usual guests were on hand, from sister Nicky Hilton to Stavros, Brandon Davis, and her publicist Elliott Mintz. Other guests included American Idol judge Paula Abdul, wrestler turned movie hunk The Rock, and Ryan Reynolds.

Read More | Extra

Gallery: Paris Celebrates 26 With a Big Bash – Again


Simon Cowell If you’re an Internet surfer, chances are you have seen some mention of the American Idol contestant’s scandalous pics—or maybe you’ve even seen them. Racy photos of Antonella Barba have been circulating online, and until now Idol producers have not made a comment about her status in the competition. Producer Nigel Lythgoe is now saying that she will not be disqualified from the show, saying it will be up to voters to determine her fate. On Inside Edition, he said, “It won’t affect anything, Antonella is about her looks and her talent and that’s the only thing that will affect her journey on American Idol.” The other players on American Idol—Ryan, Randy and Simon—are supporting the singer:

  • Simon: “[The photos should] not affect her standing on the show, and if the public wants to keep her in, they’ll keep her in.”
  • Randy: “Nobody’s clean in the entertainment business. “There are definitely some moral things that go on with this show.” 
  • Ryan: “If American Idol is a true representation of American youth, we’re going to find imperfections. And it’s OK to be imperfect.”

Read More | Reality TV World

Gallery: Idol Producers, Judges Speak Out About Antonella Barba Pics


Vincent PastoreSo, the Dancing With the Stars lineup was in place—when, just as we are poised to begin season four on March 19th, one of the contestants drops out. That’s right, Vincent Pastore, of The Sopranos, has decided to leave the dance competition. And why? Because he found out that it’s more strenuous than he anticipated. You would think after his weight loss on Celebrity Fit Club that he would be in decent enough shape to tackle this challenge. The contestants have only been in training for one week, so I guess it’s good that he came to this realization now… then again, how could you not think that this ballroom dance-off was going to be easy? “When I initially committed to joining Dancing with the Stars I didn’t realize just how physically demanding it would be for me,” Pastore said. “Unable to put forth my best effort, I felt it appropriate to step aside and give someone else the opportunity.” The producers are a-ok with this decision, saying that they “respect his decision.” So now the question is—who will fill those big shoes? Does Dancing With the Stars have understudies? Or will the show go on with one less celebrity?

Read More | People

Gallery: Vincent Pastore Ditches Dancing With the Stars


Jeff FoxworthyLeave it to FOX to ask the question no other network dares: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Most adults would say yes, of course. In a new big-budget game show (a deviation for FOX, a network that relies largely upon animated series, intense dramas, and reality TV) college grads will be pit against a class of five fifth graders in an effort to test their general knowledge smarts. There’s only one catch: all of the questions range from first to fifth grade class teachings. The show will run every night this week after FOX’s mega-hit American Idol, in an effort to boost up ratings for the fledging program. Cute little nine, ten, and eleven-year olds, a famous redneck for a host (Jeff Foxworthy), and plenty of money to throw around (the prize for answering only eleven questions? One million dollars) – FOX is banking on a hit. Think you’ve got what it takes to beat fifth graders at school trivia? Then you probably aren’t watching the show.

Read More | TV Squad

Gallery: Are Ten-Year-Olds Smarter Than You?


Victoria BeckhamI love how celebrities think their lives are so interesting that the masses will watch every detail played out on television. Well, in some cases, I suppose it’s interesting. In this case, I’m not so sure. Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, is negotiating her own reality series. An unnamed source says that the decision will be “coming very soon.” Reportedly, the show will be on NBC and details have not yet been ironed out. The rumors do speculate that the show will not focus as much on husband, David Beckham, or their three children. Instead, the series would take an inside look at her fashion business and her move to America in mid-July. Since David Beckham will be playing for the L.A. Galaxy team in a super lucrative deal, why not let the misses putter around with her little reality show?

Read More | People

Gallery: Posh Spice Brings Her Reality to TV


Girls Next Door If you’ve ever watched the Girls Next Door, the reality series that chronicles the happenings of Playboy Hugh Hefner and his three girlfriends, you may have noticed that Holly seems to have the most affection for the old guy. Reports are swirling that Hef may actually tie the knot. His number one girlfriend, Holly Madison, is just 27-years-old. Hef, on the other hand? 80?! The New York Post broke the news on Monday, saying that the nuptials are expected before the end of the year. An insider was quoted as saying, “This is very secret, but the word is ‘yes.’ Hef has decided he will marry Holly, and he wants it for his show, The Girls Next Door. Hef thinks business all the time, and looks for a new hook, although he also does really love Holly.” Hmmm. Sounds like a way to get more viewers to tune in, like he’s all business. And, oh yeah, he loves her too. I love how that part is secondary. Question is, how will his other two girlfriends feel about this—and will Bridget Marquardt and Kendra Wilkinson still be in the picture? This inside source also said that Kendra and Holly don’t get along. Holly has been with Hef since 2001. The Girls Next Door‘s third season will begin airing in March.

Read More | Reality TV World

Gallery: Hugh Hefner May Marry One of His ‘Girls’


Advertisement