Is winning a reality show really the easy way out?

I think a lot of people see winning a reality show as the easy way out, the easy way to fame or to your dream job. I definitely don’t think that is completely true in all cases though. People who win have never dealt with anything like the fame they receive afterwards or haven’t had the chance to work their way up to the job they get after the show. All of this can be so overwhelming for the ordinary person.

Christian Siriano, a 23 year old, became the youngest person to win the reality show Project Runway. While presenting his line of clothes at the semi-annual fashion even, he was blocked from the hall where his clothes were being displayed by a body guard because he didn’t recognize him as a designer. That is just one incident that shows the difficulty of becoming a big time so quickly. There is a documentary out called “Eleven Minutes” it was created by Project Runways first winner, Jay McCarroll, it takes a look at all the months it took him to finish his 11-minute runway collection, raising financial backing and selling the line, and it also asks whether or not a reality show winner can transfer its television success into the real world.

Siriano now has a deal designing low-cost shoes and bags for payless. What he says about winning Project Runway, “It definitely gave me a platform, but for other young designers I would say, it's not the best way to go if you want to be a real, serious designer.” Other Project Runway contestants have sold their clothing in U.S stores, and some have appeared as guests on television shows, but a limited few have actually held their own runway shoes.

Project Runways season 6 finale show is at the Mercedes-Benz fashion week fall 2009 in New York City.

American Idol: Bikini Girl

If you are an avid watcher of the reality TV show series American Idol you probably know who I am talking about when I say “bikini girl.” Her name is Katrina Darrell, a 20-year-old who tried out for the eighth season of American Idol wearing nothing but a small two piece bikini. After she was done singing she got in a verbal fight with Kara DioGuardi, who was judging at the time. She was eliminated from the competition, and while having her talk with Ryan Seacrest she pulled him in for a kiss. Without her on the show anymore they turn to Tatiana Del Toro to keep the drama alive.

Tatiana Del Toro, is a 23 year old Puerto Rican dancer and lingerie model. She made it into the top 36 by the skin of her teeth. The first try out she had she did anything she could to annoy the heck out of Simon Cowell. She also gave Simon sexy snap shots of herself. There is a lot of talk about her making it this far just to make the show more interesting and add drama and entertainment. Tatiana also gives the people someone to hate, which will make people watch more for the pleasure they get from the put downs she receives. I think keeping her may be a waste of their time though, because once the phone lines start ringing and the competitions is up to the people I don’t think she will last very long.

Unlike any other season, this season has 36 semifinalists. The contestants will be grouped into 3 groups of 12. After they are grouped, Idol will have three weeks where the twelve will perform during two hour pre-taped Tuesdays at 8PM. While those who voted at home votes will be revealed Wednesday at 8PM during the one hour show. The male and female who received the highest number of votes from home voters will automatically be one of the 12 finalists. For more information on this seasons American Idol visit: http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/alleged-identities-of-american-idol-eighth-season-top-36-released-8352.php

Double Shot at Love Season Finale

If you have been a big “Double Shot at Love” fan you probably tuned into the season finale that aired last week. I will give you a little recap on what the show is about if your not a regular watcher. This show’s goal was to find two hot, twin, bisexuals true love. It started off with 12 women and 12 men and they had competitions to see who got alone time with the girls, the more alone time you got the better the girls got to know you. Each week they had elimination where the girls would have to make a decision and send competitors home.
This week, only two competitors remained, and if all worked out right they were both suppose to have someone in the end, but there was a twist they could not discuss their decisions with each other. Rebekah and Trevor were the two to make it to the finale. Rebekah came out first and both of the girls ended up confessing that they were in love with Trevor. So, when Trevor came out the girls told him they both fell in love with him and it was now up to him to pick who he wanted to be with. He said he had to follow his heart and chose Vikki. Rikki left crying.
For previous episode summaries visit: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/a_double_shot_at_love/episodes.jhtml
I think a lot of people enjoyed seeing an ending like this because they realized that even people as pretty as these girls don’t get what they want and don’t always get a happy ending. I have a feeling there might be another season with just Rikki looking for love again, or maybe them both if Vikki and Trevor don’t work out. I think this, because back when the show was “A shot at Love With Tila Tequila” she thought she found love the first time and it didn’t work out so she had another season to try again. These shows become very entertaining because the viewer often starts to gain feelings for the competitors.

Watch the season finale at: http://www.mtv.com/videos/a-double-shot-at-love-one-shot-too-many/1604218/playlist.jhtml

Reality TV vs Drama TV

Two very similar genres of TV are dramatic television and reality television. People love to watch reality TV because it hits them right at home. People can relate so well to how the ordinary people who are in the show react in certain situations. This is because there are no scripts and they are doing what is natural to them. Sheryl Longin, a person who considers herself a “reality show addict,” says “we may be approaching the death of drama,” because seeing people acting naturally, using normal, natural body language meets the expectations of viewers that cannot be met by actors. Watching a high definition TV and a 1970’s quality TV is to our vision, like watching reality TV and drama is to our brains.

I, personally, like to watch reality TV more because I feel it’s more likely that someday I could actually be on a show like that. Often times I find myself wondering what exactly I would do if I was put into some of the situations I see on the shows I watch. I think it is harder to do that while watching drama shows because unless you become an actor or actress someday, there is no way you’re ever going to be on a show like that.

I would love to be on the reality show The Real World. The opportunity to live in a sweet house, in a big city with 6-7 interesting strangers really intrigues me. I think it would be extremely hard to get used to having cameras on you all the time, but once I got over that it would be a lot of fun. Since I am from South Dakota and have been rather sheltered my entire life I’m not exactly used to all the racial differences, sexual orientation, sexual experiences, religious differences and political differences this show involves, but since I am pretty open minded and love learning about these kind of things I think I would really enjoy an experience like that.
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/real_world_brooklyn/series.jhtml