Well, the CBS heavy-hitters in the reality genre returned this past week. Yes, I’m talking Survivor and The Amazing Race, not Big Brother. Last year’s winter version of BB was only due to the writers’ strike and that show continues to be a guilty pleasure of the summer. That’s just as well. When all three CBS reality series I watch are all in the same season, I go a bit bonkers trying to keep up with it all.
After all, it’s hard to keep up with the shows I’m watching now when you throw in the scripted shows, too. Dang. If only I could watch TV instead of working for a living!
That was the week it was
Survivor Tocantins premiered on Thursday night. No, two people weren’t technically really voted off before they even started. However, two people (Sierra and Sandy) thought they were voted off their tribes. Nope, not really. All that happened was that they got to take a helicopter trip to their camps instead of a nasty four-hour hike. The hype for this season is “first impressions.” Well, obviously they can’t keep up “first impressions” for the entire season. But it seems that neither Sandy nor Sierra made a good first impression with their tribes. Can they redeem themselves? Sandy did as a more obnoxious person ended up being voted off the tribe.
The Amazing Race 14 made its debut last night. I’m excited about many of the teams and look forward to another season of Phil Keoghan watching (he’s simply adorable) as well as the excitement. Unlike Survivor, this show can be fresh and new each season as the locales provide for different challenges — no stuck in the rut with puzzles, endurance and such. I love it!
Hell’s Kitchen was preempted this week due to the NAACP Awards Show. I’m surprised that Gordon Ramsay’s head hasn’t exploded yet. That’s why I’m such a fan of this show. You know I’m just waiting for that to happen. I can see it now … he’s screaming at a chef wannabe, getting redder and redder, the veins are starting to stick out on his forehead, then POOF — his head just blows up! I can’t help but wonder what his blood pressure level is. Dude, you’re working your way to an early death! I usually have to catch the show at the FOX site so I didn’t even know it was preempted until I got all ready to watch it online. Grr.
On The Bachelor, Jason is down to his four finalists in the search for love and living happily ever after. I still think they’re looking for love in all the wrong places and would do better at a supermarket. But that could just be my jaded and cynical thinking. No, I don’t watch the show — thankfully there are scripted shows I enjoy so much more while this is on. But, just to keep things up to date here — Naomi got the boot. Too bad, so sad.
Then there’s American Idol. This week we saw the contestants narrowed down to 36, uncomfortable “sing-offs,” and people make it through who should go far away. Drama queens Tatiana and Nathaniel Marshall made it through. No. No. No. Make both of these whiny crying silly people go away. Yet Jamar, Danny Gokey’s buddy, got the boot. What’s up with that? Hopefully he’ll come back in the wild card vote. Joanna Pacitti made it through only to be disqualified and declared ineligible to compete. She was replaced by Felicia Barton … whom I’m not really remembering. This week we should see 36 separated into groups of 12 for live performances. Only three from each group will make it through to the next round, then we’ll have the wild cards. I’m liking me some Gokey.
In the future
I gave up on Donald Trump’s last plain ol’ The Apprentice, but really enjoyed his The Celebrity Apprentice. Welp, it’s coming back on March 1 with new celebrities! Not only that, but I’m liking many on this list:
Oh, I want Rodman, Joan Rivers, and Andrew Dice Clay to be on the same team!
Until the next time, it’s been real if not necessarily reality.
Clacked by Jackie Schnoop 
on Feb 16, 2009 @ 13:00 EST5EDT
Hi Jackie!
Lots o’ TV to watch right now!
I found the first episode of Survivor a bit slow, but look forward to the next on Thursday evening. I have not yet formed an opinion about this group, so look forward to getting to know them a bit more.
TAR was AMAZING! I loved the season kick off, and loved the bungee jump! So happy to see the “Bickering Couple” off immediately. I watched their clip from Elimination Station in Thailand, and they could not get along there, either. I am excited for some great locations and great teams on this season. No favorites yet – too early for me.
Jason is working his way through the girls on The Bachelor… We are now down to Melissa and Molly. I think most of us will be surprised if he doesn’t choose Melissa, but the scenery is great in New Zealand.
I watched the AI results tonight, but did not see them perform last night. I typically get involved at top 10 or top 12. I must say that Tatiana got on my last nerve, and I have seen nothing but clips to this point. IMO, she would have been a distraction if she moved forward. I really enjoyed the girl that made it through from the first 12.
Celeb Apprentice should be a hoot! What a cast of characters. There should be some firworks this season.
I will check back next week to get your update.