Summer Reality TV Has A Familiar Feel
Summer is here, so clear some space on your TiVo for a fresh crop of reality shows.
New shows are launching, older ones are returning, but the real trend among them seems to be familiar faces. Regis Philbin returns to primetime June 21, hosting Simon Cowell's new talent contest "America's Got Talent."
R&B singer Brandy, actor-singer and "American Idol" fan David Hasselhoff, and British TV personality Piers Morgan will serve as judges. The show aims to give the most talented person in America $1 million.
Did you ever think you'd see "Survivor" baddy Jonny "Fairplay" again? Well, he pops up on a three-episode "Reality Stars Fear Factor" this summer, along with other reality stars milking their 16th minute of fame, like "American Idol" alum Anthony Fedorov, "The Real World's" and "Surreal Life's" Trishelle Cannatella. The show's summer run begins June 6.
Playing off the successful all-stars edition of "Survivor" from a few years ago, CBS is bringing back the best and worst contestants from "Big Brother" for an all-stars edition July 6. This time the viewers choose the housemates by voting online at CBS.com. Polls close June 28 at 11:59pm ET.
On July 5, CBS is also bringing back its popular "Rock Star" entry, which found a new lead singer for the band INXS last year. Winner J.D. Fortune released his first CD with INXS in November.
This season, a new band called Supernova is searching for a frontman or woman. The supporting members of the band are Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (in his second shot at reality TV, the first being last year's "Tommy Lee Goes To College"), Metallica's Jason Newsted, and guitarist Gilby Clarke of Guns 'n Roses.
Dance competition "So You Think You Can Dance" began auditions in New York and Charleston, S.C., May 25 on Fox and hot-headed chef Gordon Ramsay returns to the network with the second season of his cooking contest "Hell's Kitchen" on June 11.
The fourth go-round of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" kicks off tonight with celebrity judges Kathy Griffin, Garry Marshall and Tim Meadows. Instead of a house, this season's semi-finalists will live on the Queen Mary luxury liner docked off the California coast. Anthony Clark of the CBS comedy "Yes, Dear" will take over hosting duties for funnyman Jay Mohr.
Two other Bravo shows are back this summer. Heidi Klum's "Project Runway" will return sometime in July, while the "Queer Eye" guys are back for a fourth season, beginning June 6.
Here are a few new entries that could be worth a look:
"Treasure Hunters," a new adventure series that challenges teams to find a hidden treasure. "Da Vinci Code" producer Brian Grazer is executive producer of this series which sends competitors on a "global search" cracking codes and solving puzzles along the way. It premieres June 18 on NBC.
"Tuesday Night Book Club," a reality series that follows the lives of a group of women living in middle class suburbia — it sounds like Wisteria Lane but for real. It premieres June 13 on CBS.
"How To Get The Guy," a reality series that chronicles four eligible women seeking out Mr. Right in San Francisco with help from two "Love Coaches." It premieres June 12 on ABC.
"Master of Champions," a variety competition featuring off the wall challenges such as Interpretive Pizza Tossing and an Extreme Unicycle Obstacle Course. A live audience votes on who deserves the title of "Master Champion." It premieres June 22 on ABC.
On July 27 the Sci-Fi Channel serves up one of the wackiest reality shows yet: "Who Wants to be a Superhero?" where contestants compete to be a real-life superhero. The challenge is to live like a superhero 24/7 while big brother, comic book creator Stan Lee, monitors their every move. The winner will star in a new comic book series created by Lee.