By Jenny Johnston
Editor
As they say in the broadcasting world, sweeps week is coming up. Our most beloved TV shows are winding down for the summer and preparing to launch their most exciting finales. While we’re sad to see most shows leave for break, there’s other shows we can’t wait to forget. Check out the best and worst shows of the 2010-2011 season.
Best Reality Shows
“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” The Real Housewives series on Bravo! have blasted the ratings since its original showing of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Since then, the series has followed housewives all across America, giving the average middle-class viewer a peak at the lives of the rich and famous. Even though there wasn’t any table flipping or White House break-ins, the ladies of Beverly Hills had exceptionally great TV moments. Viewers witnessed the fall out of Kelsey and Camille Grammar’s marriage, the drama between Paris Hilton’s two aunts, Kyle and Kim Richards, and two dinner parties from hell.
“Bethenny Ever After.” Creator of Skinnygirl Margarita, Bethenny Frankel never fails to entertain. She had such a following from her role on The Real Housewives of New York, that Bravo had no choice but to create a show centered around her. “Bethenny Ever After” is a follow-up to her first show “Bethenny Getting Married.” Her witty humor and quotable one-liners make this show a must-see on Monday nights. I love to watch her just as much as I love to drink her diet Skinnygirl Margarita, available in all local grocery and liquor stores. Who doesn’t want to drink without gaining calories?
Worst Reality Shows
“Real Housewives of DC.” Normally, I’m a huge fan of the housewives shows on Bravo.Yeah, they’re ridiculous to watch, and a colossal waste of time, but they’re entertaining and dysfunctional--which seems to be the kind of shows I love to watch. This series, however, hit an all time low. The show was in the spotlight before it even aired because of the incident at the White House where one housewife and her husband snuck into the dinner and got their pictures taken with Joe Biden, Katie Couric and other famous politicians and media personnel. Bravo was filming while it took place, so viewers got a firsthand look at how easy it is to sneak past the secret service. The fall out was nasty: White House security is still in question and it’s no surprise this series has been banned to return.
“Kate Plus 8.” As predicted, the break-up between Jon and Kate created such a buzz that tabloids, media, classmates and colleagues wouldn’t shut up about it. Fortunately, once the hype died, so did the ratings for the spin-off show. The break-up is over, and there just isn’t any reason to watch anymore. TLC tried to revamp it by bringing Kate and her kids on an episode of Sarah Palin’s Alaska where the two families were supposed to go camping in a remote area. Let’s just say, Kate made Sarah look like a sane, normal person. When Sarah Palin is pointing out how whiney and pathetic you act, you know it has to be bad.
“16 & Pregnant.” I’m not sure what is more disturbing: the fact that this show exists, or that people actually watch it. Obviously, teen pregnancy has been such an epidemic in America that it warranted its own show. I just don’t understand why people in college want to watch miserable teenagers trying to work through the struggles of being a teen mom. At least the cast of “Jersey Shore” knows how to use birth control.
Best Game Shows
“American Idol.” Before the current season started, I never imagined myself putting the show in this category. The previous season was hard to stomach and I had my doubts about the new judges and the talent pool. Fortunately, the offseason changes paid off, and “American Idol” has once again turned into a successful hit. The new judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, gave the show the fresh boost it needed. They add humor, constructive criticism and did a hell of a job picking the talent. The show’s high ratings can also be credited to the performers. The singers this year have unbelievable talent and never fail to give an outstanding performance every week. It’s a tough call who the winner will be, but you can bet America will be watching and judging every episode.
“The Bachelor.” This is another show I’m surprised I’m putting in this category. It technically isn’t a “game” show, but it’s definitely set up like one. Normally, these shows are destined to fail. Once the couples are off camera, they find out they have nothing in common and don’t have the spark they have on the show. Anyone can fall in love on the side of a mountain or a remote beach. I suggest their dates should be a trip to Target, McDonald’s and other places most couples go on a regular basis. This season’s bachelor, Brad Womack, was previously on the show and didn’t pick any ladies in the end. After some much needed therapy sessions and soul searching, Brad came back and picked fan favorite, Emily Maynard. He came back as a reformed man, and chose the North Carolina sweetheart with a heartbreaking past. I’m sure Brad felt pressured to actually pick a woman this time around, or else ABC would have his head on a platter for wasting another season on his fear of commitment.
Worst Game Shows
“Skating with the Stars.” Just because a show is a hit, it doesn’t mean a spin-off should be required. This was the case with “Skating with the Stars.” Some out of touch producer came into work on a Monday morning, looked over the ratings of “Dancing with the Stars” and thought “hey, let’s make a similar show so we can really dominate the primetime lineup.” Some networks and producers don’t learn their lesson. They did this show several years ago. Remember “Skating with Celebrities?” The show was a disaster and quickly pulled from the air. “Skating with the Stars” was the same story. It was a lackluster show (no offense, Bethenny) and didn’t give audiences a reason to watch.
“The Apprentice.” I like Donald Trump, and I hope he actually runs for President like he says he will, but his show needs to go. I don’t think Donald is the one who’s bringing the show down, instead, I think it’s the contestants. The apprentice selection isn’t thought out and it leads to awkward behaviors and forced humor. Personally, I think it’s embarrassing to watch these people act like fools in a monkey suit. If you want to know what’s wrong with the leaders of our country, just watch this show. Donald needs to quit messing around with this circus and take on Congress. Oh wait, what’s the difference?
“The Bachelor Pad.” This show is “Temptation Island” on steroids. “The Bachelor Pad” takes the rejects from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” and puts them in a mansion for a second shot at love. If I want to watch shallow men and women fool around, I’d watch “Jersey Shore.” At least their cast is emotionally stable. I’ve never seen so much crying, backstabbing, cheating, and immature behavior on any one show. Unfortunately, ABC is bringing this show back, so just flip the channel if you happen to run across it. You won’t regret it.
Best Documentary Shows
“Ax Men.” Strap up your boots and grab a chainsaw. Ax Men takes you coast-to-coast to see one of the continent’s most rugged careers: logging. This show features a variety of logging styles. The logging crews in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and Canada practice traditional downhill logging in the forest. The crews in Florida pull logs from the bottom of a black-water river. And one brave soul swims with alligators to pull 100-year old logs from the bottom of the Louisiana swamp. This show takes you somewhere you probably will never go, shows you where the wood to build your house came from, and features plenty of grown-man drama.
“Pawn Stars.” It’s boom or bust in Sin City. Pawn Stars features a family-owned pawn shop in Las Vegas. The appeal of this show is the incredibly unique items patrons bring to sell to the store. Whether it’s a fighter jet ejection seat or a document with Thomas Jefferson’s signature, there’s a history lesson in each piece. The shop owners explain each piece in great detail and often bring in experts to share additional information, verify that the piece is authentic and help establish a value. The most entertaining part of the show is the negotiations. People always want top dollar for their old junk, but many end up taking what they’re offered--there’s a whole city of fun to be had with cold hard cash, after all.
“Swamp People.” This is hands down one of the most fascinating shows I’ve ever watched. “Swamp People” is centered around swamp dwellers who capture and kill 12+ foot alligators by hand. The alligator population is out of control, so these rednecks hunt the alligators to keep the Louisiana Bayou as safe as possible. How they catch the alligators is the amazing part. They hang lines of stink bait and wait for the alligators to get caught up on the line. The hunters then drive up in their little fishing boats, pull up the line and dangerously wrestle with the alligator to try and pull it in the boat. The only way to kill an alligator is to shoot it’s quarter size kill spot on the back of their head. This is a show you definitely don’t want to miss.
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