Last Night - Tonight
Facing Reality One Night At A Time
By RTVC Editor Ron Lemon
July 8, 2005
Last Night:
Congratulations to ABC's Dancing With The Stars. With out a doubt the break out ratings winner of the Summer. Over 21 million people watched the finale. That's American Idol numbers.
Of course that means 21 million people watched the Judges screw John O'Hurley and award 3 perfect scores to ABC soap star Kelly Monaco. Think she got the scores because she is an ABC star? How else do you explain it. Did you TIVO the show? Look again at her "Free-Style" dance and watch as she is clearly dropped not once, but twice! Especially the one at the end. It is so clearly evident; check out the look of surprise on partner Alec's face. But do give kudos to Kelly for her quick recovery. But perfect 10's? Nope. It was wrong. It was not deserved. Frankly J.P., you were robbed.
Do I think somebody at ABC told the Judges to award those scores so that an ABC star could win the competition. No, I don't. I would hope that even network execs, whom I rank one step up the food chain from Lawyers and Used Car Salesmen, are smarter than that. In fact I am sure they are. I'm sure they knew that the judges were hoping for a second season, and hoping to get another job out of it, and knew enough to make their employers happy.
There is only one way the networks will ever be trusted in these types of competitions. Listen up Idol. The viewing audience does the only voting. It must be limited. It must be handled by an outside, independent auditing agency. The raw numbers must be released to the public.
But the real question is do the networks care about their credibility on these shows? My guess is they don't not as long as they are getting 20 plus million viewers.
Tonight:
I know that the networks drool over the young audience. And I know that on Friday nights the young go out. But the upper part of that coveted 18 to 49 demographic is 49 years old. And there are millions and millions of us "old folks" enjoying a peaceful Friday night after a long week at work. We could be watching some really good Reality TV if it were offered. Instead we make Blockbuster rich. Of course we might try the FOX Reality Channel if it were actually available where it is supposed to be.
Tonight's Picks:
Rent A Movie.
More Monday.
They Were Cast - Why Not You?
Reality TV Calendar will send you the latest casting calls as soon as they are released. Calls are often short notice with short deadlines. You need to make contact immediately. You can't do that unless you have immediate notification of the call. One Time Payment, Only $7.95.
Click For More Information.
RTVC Editor Ron Lemon is a United State Air Force veteran who has lived in Alaska, Florida and many places in between. He has worked in the Radio, TV and Print media and spent too many years running computer operations for a state prison. Today he edits and manages Reality TV Calendar for fun and a little profit.
Your thoughts, complaints, compliments, questions and rants are welcome. Email Ron
Got an item for News Rumors and Rants. Email it to us.
Just click here.
Questions, comments, and submissions are always welcome.
Please address them to Reality TV Calendar Editor Ron Lemon
at RealityTVCalendar@adelphia.net
