Friday, June 27, 2008

Why do We Watch These Shows

If you are anything like me you can't wait until prime time (8 o'clock) when all the reality television shows hit the air. I look forward to certain nights only because I know that a certain show is coming on. But why do these shows get us so hype. Why do we constantly sit in front of the TV and watch these shows. There are literally hundreds of channels but what is the secret formula to celebrity reality TV shows?

According to TV.com the top 5 reality television shows today are:
1: So You Think You Can Dance
2. Farmer Wants a Wife
3. Hell's Kitchen
4. Black Gold
5. America's Next Top Model

These shows are popular for various reasons. They each provide drama. Drama entertains people. These shows are suspenseful. At the end of each episode you want to tune in next week to find out what happens and gets sent home. They have great characters. On every show there is someone you love and someone you hate. The casting directors do a great job and provide a variety of characters on each show.

These shows have proved successful. So You Think You Can Dance has been through four seasons, Hell's Kitchen four and America's Next Top Model 10. These shows come back season after season because you want to see what spend they are going to have next season. I know I watch these shows because they are highly entertaining.

The funny thing about it...they know we want more. With the show Big Brother, you can watch the show 24 hours on the Internet and watch Big Brother After Dark on Showtime everyday from 12-3 AM.

So what is next. One of the reality TV shows to air next is Wipeout and I Survived a Japanese Game show. I can only imagine what is next.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Too Many Hats

It is possible to be involved in too many things. Some celebrities fall into this catergory. Now celebrities want to be actors, singers, rappers, entrpreneurs, fashion moguls, television personalities, authors and list goes on and on. Now celebrities want to own have their own television shows. Some celebrities have been successful and others have not. For Flavor Flav if one show doesn't succeed, then try, try again.

Let's talk about these brave and maybe even greedy celebrities that have dove into these celebreality TV shows. Both of these celebrities really have not been in significant trouble in which they wanted to pursue a TV show to get them out of hot water. Their shows are really to boost their careers and their bank accounts.

1. Kimora Lee Simmons - business woman, model, mother, fashion mogul (cosmetics, makeup, fragances, jewelery, cell phones), actress
Kimora Life in the Fab Lane is a look into Kimora's life as she carries on the everyday activities in her career. She is the typical Diva and everything has to be her way.



2. Sean "Diddy" Combs - rapper, actor, CEO, producer, humanitarian, designer, entertainer
Diddy has gone through 4 seasons of Making the Band . WHY? Because his bank account can afford it and it is highly entertaining.



Both of these clips from their shows really showcase who they are. I don't think either one of these hurt Kimora or Diddy's career. It really helps them and allows people to see who they really are.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Celebrities Become Documentaries - Introduction


As a "normal" citizen, most of us prefer a lifestyle that is private. We want to be able to come and go as we please without our private lives becoming public.


But this is not the case for other people, especially celebrities. In the past fews years there has been a sweeping number of reality television shows broadcasted. Some involve normal citizens who want to make some quick cash through gameshows like The Bachelor or Deal or No Deal. Some choose to have their livestyles taped in a more personal way but still are in it for the cash like Survivor, Real World or Big Brother. The application processes for these shows are long and very personal. Its almost like signing your lives away to a television network.

Below is a video from Big Brother 7 All Stars Season. These people could not get enough of the public spotlight so they wanted to participate in the show again.


Recently a spree of personal celebrity reality television shows have become popular like Kimora Life in the Fab Lane. It's like celebrities want to add another title to their resumes - Documentarian. One would think that celebrities would want to stay away from the cameras as much as possible. But some celebrities want extra exposure for whatever reasons they think will benefit them.


Some celebrities use their name and image to host competition shows like Sean "Diddy" Combs with his hit show Making the Band or Randy Jackson's America's Best Dance Crew. This way their name is still in streets but their personally lives are not neccessarily broadcasted.


Here are some reasons I think celebrities would want to broadcast their lives so the whole world would like or may not like to see.

1. Public relations - Celebrities need to keep their names in the news so celebreality shows are a great move.
2. Money, money, money - If the show is a success, the profits are great and can potentially lead to more seasons.
3. Negative turned into a positive - Celebrities may fing themselves in trouble and why not show the world the type of person you really are than make a show about yourself.
4. Out of submission - Some celebrities are trying to make a come back and they will pitch a show about their journey as they are trying to get back into the business.
5. Full plate - Some celebrities want to be known for as many things as possible so a television show would be a great asset.

I've have become hooked on these celebreality (that's what I am calling these productions) shows myself. They are entertaining and great way to occupy my television time so I'm not worrying about my own personal problems but can observe others.

Ultimately, do you think this shows are helping or hindering the celebrities?

Graduate Work

Much preparation proves successful for grads

Students at Midlothian High School have been preparing to end one chapter while starting a new one at their graduation commencement.

Christopher Shelton hangs out with friends backstage at the Siegel Center as he awaits his graduation. As Shelton looks back over many years of hard work, he realizes he is spending the last minutes of being a senior at Midlothian High School.

Shelton is nervous, but excited at the same time.

“Since the first day of my senior year I have been looking forward to this day,” said Shelton. “I made sure I did all my work, kept studying, kept good grades and always held on hope.” He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall majoring in computer engineering.

Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties high school graduations are held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s
Stuart C. Siegel Center. VCU hosts 26 graduations at its 190,000 square foot facility.

Many behind the scenes preparations help make this day for Shelton and the other 341 seniors at Midlothian High School a day they will never forget. Parking passes are issued, roads are blocked, security is in place and chairs are organized.

There are close interactions between senior class faculty sponsors and officials at VCU. Nate Doughty, associate director of the Siegel Center and Athletic Facilities, said it is great public relations.

“This is a great way for VCU to give back to the community,” said Doughty. “We fit the need and it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Eileen Sunseri, senior class sponsor at Midlothian High School, is already planning for the 2009 commencement ceremony. Preparations for an event that involves students, families, faculty and the community is a year round affair.

Sunseri describes the graduation process as “controlled chaos.”

“We get started in October when the students are measured for their caps and gowns,” said Sunseri. “Most planning really starts in March. VCU sends us the date, time and schedules. In mid-May there is a walk through where we receive maps, parking passes and information to give to the parents.”

Doughty said the biggest headache is parking.
Traffic on VCU’s campus is congested and heavy during these times. There are between 300 to 500 graduates for each ceremony. On average, there are three graduations a day during this 11-day period yielding more than 1300 vehicles for each graduation.

VCU Enforcement and Safety Coordinator Lou Ann Jones has overseen this process for the past four years. Each year changes are made to make sure the entire graduation process is a success.

Between 100 to 150 people work during graduations.

“The secret is teamwork,” said Jones. “The school systems, Siegel Center staff, deck staff, enforcement staff and the VCU Police Department work closely to assure that everything run smoothly.”

During graduation regular traffic is not stopped. Jones said that so far they have done a great job with accommodating everyone.

“Our goal for these graduations is to make them as safe and happy as possible for all involved,” said Jones.

Shelton could not be more happier as he hugs his friends and takes pictures to capture last memories. He reunites with his parents.

His mother Debra Shelton said that the entire process leading up to graduation has been a smooth one.

“I thought the graduation was wonderful and well organized,” said Debra. “I was impressed.”