SantinoRice
Best TV of the '00s: Reality Series

More of our best of the decade coverage, which started on Tuesday. You can read the other posts at the link above. Here, we talk about a major category that came of age in the aughts: Reality shows.
While I would never call myself a reality TV junkie, it really bugs me when people make blanket statements like, "I hate reality TV," or, "Reality TV is the bane of my existence." The genre has grown so much in the past decade that it has become just like scripted television, in that there's good and there's bad. Even though we're splitting this up into two lists, "Reality," and "Trashy Reality," you won't see a single show that starts with, "Who Wants to Marry" on either list.
This list is dedicated not to the guilty pleasures, but to the shows that you wouldn't be embarrassed for your neighbors to know you watch: the classy reality, if you will. So without further ado, here is TV Squad's list of the best reality shows of the decade.
Why Drag Race is better than Top Model
America's Next Top Model could learn a few things from LOGO's reality show Rupaul's Drag Race. Although the two shows are different beasts (one is about models that accidentally look drag, the other intentionally looks drag), the competitive qualities of the show remain the same. There is still runway walking, working in different fashion themes, and looking fierce. RuPaul has said that the two shows aren't interchangeable and it's true: Drag Race is colorful, fun, and intriguing; qualities that Top Model has lost after all these years. Here are several good reasons why Top Model isn't on top anymore.
Fox Reality Channel announces new original series
Fox Reality channel has a new series called Gimme My Reality Show. This series will feature celebrities competing to have their own reality show. D-Listers already signed on for the competition include Traci Bingham, Santino Rice, and Gretchen Bonaduce. Bingham, who played Jordin Tate on Baywatch, has also appeared on VH1's Surreal Life 2 and Celebrity Boot Camp. Rice appeared on the second season of Project Runway and finished in the semi-finals. Bonaduce was on VH1's Breaking Bonaduce which chronicled the life of her husband and former child-star Danny Bonaduce.
That's it? They need to get some Idol alums in there. I'm thinking Sanjaya, just so the rest of the cast can ridicule him. Also, I would love to see one of the guys from I Love New York. Say, Mr. Boston? Who would you like to see on Gimme My Reality Show?
Gimme My Reality Show will premiere on October 11th at midnight, right after the Fox Reality Really Awards.
Jeffrey Sebelia's slightly disappointing post-Runway life
Let me just come right out and say it: Jeffrey Sebelia, winner of Project Runway Season Three, is making costumes for the Bratz movie. Is that really the glorious post-Runway life? The cocky persona that Sebelia took on all season certainly led me to expect him to spend his prize money and fame on jetsetting and more neck tattoos to decorate his massive, massive neck, but, as it turns out, he isn't doing as great as one might expect. Not only is he quite broke, but ... did I mention his post-Runway project is doing the Bratz film? I was quite furious with him when he was on the program, but this article has actually made me -- dare I say it -- sympathize. Maybe he should have taken the Jay McCarroll route and skipped the winning contract to do his own thing.By the way, I had no idea Season Two's Santino Rice was the one who encouraged Sebelia to audition for the program, let alone the fact that the two are buddies. I guess that's where Sebelia learned that the "cocky bastard" act would pay off.
Related:
Project Runway's Jay McCarroll on Tim Gunn
Tim Gunn steals Bravo job from five queer guys
Project Runway 3 to air in July
Bravo has officially decided to start airing the third season of Project Runway this summer in order to use September's Fall Fashion Week for the finale (where the three finalists -- and one other designer who's just there to throw off spectators and will not be aired -- compete with collections instead of individual garments). An hour-long casting special will air July 12 at 9PM ET/PT, with the first episode premiering at 10PM.If you've never seen the program before, I suggest you jump on the bandwagon with the first episode. It really is the classiest reality show on television.
[Thanks, orimental!]
Project Runway: Finale
Chloe wins! Chloe? Chloe. I didn't really want Chloe to win.
I really liked her stuff in the beginning, but I absolutely hated her collection for Fashion Week. I know the judges
kept saying how much she "knows women" and understands a "woman's body", but my body doesn't
look like a couch. I'm not a La-Z-Boy recliner and no way would I want to be covered with half of that
dreadful stuff she used. Everything was so heavy and overdone. I know that fashion shows are supposed to be about
drama and "the show", but I found her stuff borderline laughable. It looked like the
1980s barfed all over her collection. And I thought her 13th outfit was stupid, especially those pockets that
Diana slaved over. I just have so many mixed feelings about Chloe winning because while I like her, I
don't love her.
And Santino...
Tim Gunn sings Nine Inch Nails
If you've been watching Project
Runway lately (and if you haven't been watching, why the hell not?), you've been lucky enough to see Santino's Tim
Gunn impressions. They're pretty spot-on, I must say, because if I'm not watching the screen, sometiems I'll wonder if
it is Tim talking. During this week's episode, Santino revealed that he had created a fake Tim/Andrae relationship to
go along with his impression. In Santino's mind, Tim and Andrae are currently going through some couple-trouble and
have the occasional relationship squabble at Red Lobster... It's absolutely priceless. Now, check this out... I found something to top it! I was looking for some Daniel Vosovic pictures (go Team Vosovic!) and came across a behind-the-scenes video of Daniel asking Santino to do an impression of Tim singing Nine Inch Nails' "Closer". I have no words except: Ell-oh-ell semi-colon shift-dee. Trust me, you must see it for yourself.
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