Summertime Reality
Author: Allie, Host of Reality Check Radio

For some people summer means vacations, baseball, swimming, and barbeques. For me it means sitting on the couch watching men get roses, people getting evicted from houses, chefs getting called donkey, and wondering who can dance. That’s right summer means reality TV.

And yes summer is in full swing with some of my favorite reality shows, take The Bachelorette for example. Jillian is down to her final 2 suitors; Ed the man who left the show for work only to come back and get a final 4 spot and Kypton the man who has been there all along but Jillian is think he may be too perfect.

Who do I think is going to win? Well, I wanted Reid to win. I thought he was the most real because he didn’t want to say he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. The trouble was he had a hard time saying anything at all and even though Jillian loved his quirky personality, she had to send him home as he had not opened up enough. With Reid out of the mix, I am now predicting Kypton to win. He has been there all along and has always been a top runner. That being said, sometimes the editing throws you off and if Ed wins, I will not be surprised at all. Jillian has been my favorite Bachelorette by far, asking her potential mates difficult questions, taking them on awesome dates and finally ditching Wes whom I was starting to worry would be there in the final 2. Overall this has been my favorite season of The Bachelorette, and if think you will go through dating show withdrawal don’t fret; both More to Love and Dating in the Dark are coming soon.

This week has also brought on the summer staple, Big Brother, with 1 week and 1 houseguest down, this season’s twist involves high school cliques. At first I thought this was going to be a lame twist, however, now I am starting to get into it. If 1 person wins HOH the entire clique is safe and that begins both complications and drama to the naturally forming alliances. We are learning just because you like sports does not mean you are going to like each other and as clique members join opposing alliances, conflicts of interests and jealousy come through in spades.

The other twist this season is making a returning houseguest the 13th member of the new house. In this case we have Jessie, on the athletes’ team and the first HOH of the season. Love him or hate him it does not matter, this guy is reality TV gold with his one liners and obsessive posing he has made the house more interesting. I was really hoping for a new strategy from the returning houseguest now that he has been in the house once before, but sadly we are getting same old game playing Jessie who is not long for the house.

I have seen every season of Big Brother; I have always loved old school with season 3 being my absolute favorite. The last few seasons have been a bit disappointing for me but I think that is turning around now because the cast of season 11 is ready to play.

This week also gave us the top ten on So You Think You Can Dance. This season has been amazing as the top 20 dancers have brought it in a major way and each week they get stronger and stronger. I love Melissa, I do not think she is going to win or even make it to final 4 but I think she is a brilliant ballet dancer out of her element and is so graceful and powerful every single week. On the guy side, I like Brandon and I think he has a real chance of winning the show because he can perform those show stopping flips that everyone loves and votes for.

So You Think You Can Dance will have a fall season very close to the end of the summer one. That worries me because it is such a fantastic summer show and has been for years. I hope people will not grow tired of it and will watch back to back seasons, I know I will

And last but not least I want to talk about a show starting July 21st on Fox, Hell’s Kitchen. The show has been on in the winter and spring before but this is meant to be a summer reality show. Chef Gordon Ramsay might not have the same scary impact he did in earlier seasons but the show has never been better and I just hope this season we have several people who can actually cook and are not there just for personality. I want to be surprised at who wins this year not guess who is in the finals by the third week.

If you love reality TV like I do catch, my radio show called Reality Check Radio, airing live every Monday and Thursday night at 11pm EST / 8pm PST on Blog Talk Radio. We always have guests from all your favorite reality shows as well as the latest news, gossip, show recaps and analysis. You can follow us on Twitter @RCRadio for all the latest as well!

Jessica from Big Brother 8 Will Be Live On-Air Monday July 13

              

Jessica Hughbank’s from Big Brother will be the live on-air guest at Reality Check Radio on Monday, July 13, at 11pm EST/8pm PST. Jessica recently had the chance to go back into the Big Brother house to play for the popular clique, one of the 4 groups of this season. Fans are encouraged to join in and participate in the live chat as Jessica will be discussing this season’s Big Brother and her experience on the hit CBS show.

Listeners can find Reality Check Radio at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reality_check . The show begins at 11pm EST/8pm PST. To participate in the live web chat, listeners are encouraged to register for a user account at http://www.blogtalkradio.com.

Reality Check Radio is an online BlogTalkRadio show which highlights and discusses current reality television.

POLL: Who Should Join The Real Housewives of N.Y.?

Source: People

Sure, season 2 of The Real Housewives of New York City just wrapped with an extra-dramatic two part reunion special, but producers are already thinking ahead to season 3. The network just sent out casting notices targeted to ambitious women in the Big Apple.

“We’re always looking for new and interesting characters and to keep the show fresh” a rep for the show says. “There are so many stories to tell and we want to keep topping ourselves every season.”

(If you’ve got what it takes, email Bravo at tvrealitycasting@gmail.com)

PEOPLE thought, who better to join Alex, Ramona, Jill, Bethenny, LuAnn and Kelly than a famous face?

Here are our picks:

• Dina Lohan — She was already named Long Island Top Mom, and she has raised her children in the spotlight. We predict clashes with resident mother hen, Jill Zarin.

• Tinsley Mortimer — She’s got edge as a fashion designer, actual socialite status (watch out, Kelly!) and has guest starred on Gossip Girl.

• Star Jones — The former View co-host is a real professional woman who loves to live large! Maybe she and Simon will hit it off?

• Christie Brinkley — A dedicated mother, supermodel and fixture on the Hamptons scene. We see her bonding with Countess LuAnn.

• Ivanka Trump — She’s a businesswoman, heiress and true New Yorker. Plus, we’d love to see Ramona take on The Donald!

Which New Yorker would be the best new Housewife?
Dina Lohan
Tinsley Mortimer
Star Jones
Christie Brinkley
Ivanka Trump

Vote

America’s Next Top Model – New Interview with Nigel Barker

                                

On Monday, April 13, Reality Check Radio will air an all new interview with America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker. Barker, a noted fashion photographer and former model, discusses his break into the fashion industry, his experience on the hit CW show and behind the scenes of judging the contestants and its process.

Listeners can find Reality Check Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/reality_check. The show begins at 11pm EST/8pm PST. To participate in the live web chat, listeners are encouraged to register for a user account at www.blogtalkradio.com.

Reality Check Radio is an online BlogTalkRadio show which highlights and discusses current reality television.

‘Project Runway’ Lawsuit Settled

Source: ETonline

               

At last, “Project Runway” will be able to “make it work”!

The lawsuit between NBC Universal and The Weinstein Company has been settled, so look for the sixth season of the popular reality series, starring Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, along with judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, to return to the tube this summer.

According to an official statement released by NBC Universal, The Weinstein Company will pay NBCU for the right to move Project Runway to Lifetime.

“I want to personally congratulate Jeff Zucker and NBCU on their success in the litigation and thank Jeff for resolving this in a professional manner. We look forward to working together on our ongoing projects,” Harvey Weinstein said in the same statement.

“I couldn’t be more excited that Lifetime will bring its viewers an amazing, all-new season of ‘Project Runway’ this summer,” added Andrea Wong, Lifetime President and CEO. “As the highest-rated cable network for women, Lifetime is the perfect home for this outstanding program, as well as its companion series ‘Models of the Runway.’ All of us at Lifetime are thrilled to move forward with Heidi, Tim, Nina, Michael, The Weinstein Company and the entire Project Runway team.”

In the meantime, Bravo today unveiled the 15 professional designers chosen for its new fashion creative competition series, “The Fashion Show,” as they compete for a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize. “The Fashion Show” premieres on Bravo on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10 p.m. It will be hosted by designer Isaac Mizrahi and four-time Grammy Award-winning performer and actress Kelly Rowland.

Live On-Air Interview with The Hills newest cast member Casey Reinhardt

On Thursday, March 26, Reality Check Radio will have Casey Reinhardt, the newest cast member to join MTV’s smash hit “The Hill’s”, on-air for a live interview.

                          

Audiences still remember Casey as one of the stars of MTV’s “Laguna Beach.” She recently completed filming the thriller, LURE playing the female lead. Besides gracing the small and big screens, Casey also competed in “Miss Teen California,” winning “Miss Laguna Beach.”

Listeners can find Reality Check Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/reality_check. The show begins at 11pm EST/8pm PST. To participate in the live web chat, listeners are encouraged to register for a user account at www.blogtalkradio.com.

Reality Check Radio is an online BlogTalkRadio show which highlights and discusses current reality television.

Meet The Real Housewives of New Jersey

Source: PEOPLE

The newest cast of Housewives is close-knit and includes friends, a pair of sisters — who married brothers! — and their sister-in-law. The show is set to premiere May 12 (11 p.m. ET) on Bravo.

         

From left to right, the women of The Real Housewives of New Jersey are …

Jacqueline Laurita: A former cosmetologist, she is now a stay-at-home mom, but still loves to pamper herself. She has a teenage daughter from her previous marriage and a 6-year-old son with her husband Chris, who owns wholesale apparel businesses and is brother to Caroline and Dina.

Teresa Giudice: Born and raised in New Jersey, her husband Joe owns a successful construction company. Together they have three young daughters, who take up much of her time. A friend of Dina and Caroline, she also loves to shop, get spa treatments and spend time at her beach house on the Jersey Shore.

Danielle Staub: “You either love me or you hate me, there is no in between,” says the single mom of two daughters. She prides herself as one of the first female American Express Black card members in New Jersey. She is also active in her local parish and regularly attends mass. She and Jacqueline are friends.

Dina Manzo: Founder of the nonprofit Project Ladybug, which helps children with cancer, she’s also an interior designer, an event planner, mother and best friends with her sister Caroline. Her husband Tommy works with his brother (Caroline’s husband) at their family’s catering business.

Caroline Manzo: She’s a mother of three and own a real estate firm and a line of children’s accessories. Described as a “feisty spitfire,” she’s Dina’s sister and is on the board of Project Ladybug. She’s married to Albert Manzo, brother of Dina’s husband Tommy. Dina and Caroline’s brother is Jacqueline’s husband Chris.

Exclusive Live Chat with Carla, Jamie & Ariane from Bravo’s Top Chef

On Thursday, March 19th, Reality Check Radio welcomes Carla, Jamie, and Ariane from the 5th season of Bravo’s Top Chef for an exclusive live on-air chat. All three ladies will be taking questions from fans and discussing their experience on the cooking competition reality show. These 3 fan favorites are sure to bring plenty to the table.

                 

Listeners can find Reality Check Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/reality_check. The show begins at 11pm EST/8pm PST. To participate in the live web chat, listeners are encouraged to register for a user account at www.blogtalkradio.com.

Reality Check Radio is an online BlogTalkRadio show which highlights and discusses current reality television.

‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ star Kelly Killoren Bensimon arrested

Source: NYDailyNews

New York’s newest “Real Housewife” is denying blockbuster charges that she beat up her boyfriend, but the bruised beau said it happened – and it wasn’t the first time.

                       
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, 40, was arrested last week for misdemeanor assault after 30-year-old Nicholas Stefanov called cops, saying she punched him.

Bensimon, who appears on Bravo’s hit reality show “The Real Housewives of New York City,” hit him “with a closed fist, thereby causing informant to suffer a laceration below informant’s left eye and substantial pain,” the criminal complaint he filed with police charges.

The model/editor/reality TV star – who is actually divorced – turned herself in Thursday, two days after the incident. She was released on her own recognizance.

“The allegations are by a jilted lover saying she struck him during the course of an argument,” said her lawyer Stephen Turano. “We deny the charges, and we are hopeful this will be resolved.”

In an exclusive interview, Stefanov said he still loves Bensimon, but blamed stress from their recent engagement and the pressure of being on the show for causing her to snap.

“She is a great girl,” he said. “I do want to work it out. But what are you supposed to do when a girl is hitting you, just sit there like a punching bag?

“If I had hit her, I’d be sitting in a jail cell right now,” he said, adding that it was not the first time he’s been socked by Bensimon.

Stefanov said he called cops because he wanted the incident on the record, but that he doesn’t want to press charges. It’s out of his hands now, however, as cops are obligated to charge Bensimon and even filed a restraining order against her on his behalf.

Stefanov said the couple was fighting over the “usual stuff that couples fight about.” Stefanov said Bensimon “sucker-punched” him during the fight, but noted that at least she “had the courtesy to take her [engagement] ring off first.” She also returned it to him that night, he said.

Turano took issue with Stefanov’s account.

“They are most certainly not engaged and his allegations of past abuse are false,” the lawyer said.

Fellow “Housewives” co-star Bethenny Frankel stood by Bensimon: “I cannot imagine this being true, but all I can say is love shouldn’t hurt.”

Bensimon was married to famed fashion photographer Giles Bensimon until they split in 2006. They have two daughters.

In recent years, Bensimon and Stefanov have been staples of the society pages, photographed together at swanky celebrity parties.

Bensimon is due back in court March 31. Turano said he doesn’t think the charges will stick.

A Bravo rep declined to comment, saying, “We don’t comment on the personal lives of our talent.”

Outside her posh SoHo home, Bensimon refused to comment Monday night as two doormen shielded her with an umbrella and tried to shoo a reporter away.

Let’s Go Back to the Sugar Shack: Our Interview with Sugar from Survivor

Author: Allie, Host of Reality Check Radio

On Thursday, March 5th, 2009, Jessica “Sugar” Kiper joined Reality Check Radio where she gave her take on her season, the current season, and what she has been up to since the show has ended. We had so much fun discussing her former castmates, who her perfect alliance would be, and why she can’t get her name printed on a pair of mouse ears. If you love Survivor this was a great interview as it gave us a lot of insight into the casting process as well as what happens right before cameras roll and the torches are lit.

  

If you missed the live interview, you can always catch it on archive at Reality Check Radio on Blog Talk Radio. There you will find all of our shows including our other interviews with former survivors including Rupert and Billy Garcia. And of course, we are on live every Monday and Thursday nights at 11pm EST/8pm PST with all of the latest reality show news, gossip, interviews, and show caps from all of your favorite reality shows.

Sugar was fantastic, we had a great time talking and learned a lot about Survivor and specifically her season. Check it out and we know you will get a sweet tooth.