Reality News Update, April 18: Fame, Paradise, Protests, and More

Once again we bring you all the news that’s fit to print (and some that isn’t) on reality TV. We’ll begin with yet another protest against a show that hasn’t even been cast yet and then move on to new shows in development.

We’ve already seen reports that members of Congress and then the Louisiana State Senate have protested against the proposed CBS reality show, The Real Beverly Hillbillies. Now another group joins the chorus.

Appalachian coal miners are planning to go to New York at the May 21 Viacom shareholders meeting in protest of the show unless it’s canceled. Apparently they are upset because the original show talked about the Beverly Hillbillies discovering oil instead of coal. Oh, wait, no, that’s not it. They are upset because they think the whole point of the show will be “to take a poor rural family, place them in a Hollywood mansion and ridicule them on national television.”

Viacom said the miners will be welcome only if they are shareholders, but CBS once again pointed out that there still hasn’t been a final decision on whether the show should go forward or not. Apparently, coal miners have no other more important issues facing them (like loss of jobs, health issues, etc.) that the union could be spending time on instead of worrying about this show.

Last week, we told you about a new show taking place in a restaurant where the main action would follow the staff but which would also be open to the public and, therefore, anybody who eats there might end up in front of the camera. Well, now the concept has already been extended to a hotel as well.

Fox is developing a show called Paradise Hotel, which will allow a different viewer to check in each week. Also, hotel guests will be able to vote people out – something that many of us have probably wanted to do to those loud guests staying in the room next door.

However, they will not be fighting for a prize. Fox appears to be hoping for romance, though. Not that anything steamy would ever happen in a hotel…

In any event, you’ll have to wait until mid-June to see it, but it will air twice a week – once to see the action and the second time to see who goes and who arrives.

In England there has been a show recently based on Fame, the movie and television show. Now there will be one here in the U.S. as well. NBC is resurrecting Fame for reality TV this summer.

The show will feature performers who can sing, dance, and be otherwise talented. Debbie Allen, who starred in both the movie and TV show, will help judge auditions and then advise those who make it. She is also part of the prize – a year’s worth of dance lessons at her studio, along with some cash.

Auditions are coming soon to Miami (April 24), New York (April 26-27), Chicago (April 29), and L.A. (May 2-3). For more info, including a song list and locations, check out the NBC page.

In a short blurb of news, we find that MTV is planning a number of new reality shows. Paula Abdul is branching out and will host a talent contest for cheerleaders (how appropriate, considering that seems to be her role on American Idol). Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey will chronicle their first year of marriage (I get the impression I’m supposed to know who those two are, but I have to admit I have no idea). And we’ll follow Blink-182 as they make a new album.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of RealityNewsOnline and can be reached at rno@pobox.com.

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