Reality TV: February 2008 Archives
The relationship between Neil and Joshuah, brought together as "soul mates" on the new season of Big Brother 9, appears to have ended shortly after it began. Our friend Brian Juergens has been tracking the show for AfterElton.com and reports that viewers of the live feed saw an emotional goodbye from Neil (left), who had to leave the show mysteriously only a week into the game. An edited explanation of this will likely air on CBS this week. Since this season the "soul mates" are playing as a team, that might have spelled the end of Joshuah (right) as well, but Big Brother saved the contestant by allowing him to pick someone who was voted off to bring back as his new partner. Exiled contestant Sharon isn't exactly "soul mate" material but as it turns out, there are currently four pairings on the show where romance definitely isn't happening.
Elsewhere...ABC has picked up a new comedy pilot project from Warner Bros. TV and David Kohan and Max Mutchnick, the folks behind Will & Grace. Thus far untitled, the project is about two business partners - one straight and one gay - who both find their significant others around the same time and attempt to balance work and love.
BBC America's Hotel Babylon, the gay-inclusive drama series about an exclusive hotel and the staff who gives guests whatever they want, is back for season three starting March 12. Paula Abdul makes a guest starring appearance in the season opener. BBC America will also release season one of Hotel Babylon on DVD February 26.
Leo Marlowe wowed the American Idol judges during the open call in Omaha to become the show's first openly gay contestant. Unfortunately, his luck wore off during tonight's Hollywood round. The 23-year-old from Charlotte, Iowa, performed Bryan Adams' "I Do It For You," a ballad that failed to impress.
"You just went from memorable to forgettable all in the space of thirty seconds, because that's precisely what we're not looking for," Simon told a disappointed Leo who was cut when the contestants were narrowed down to the Top 50.
The Pussycat Dolls are back on The CW for another round of auditions, and network reps confirm that out performer Keisha is one of the 15 finalists competing this season. Unlike the last go-round, where contestants were vying to join the Dolls, this time they are looking to stay in the game for 10 episodes until the last three standing form a new trio named Girlicious, receiving a contract with Geffen Records.
According to Keisha's official online profile, she's a 22-year-old from North Hollywood, CA, who admires Beyonce and Aaliyah.
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious premieres Feb 18 at 9PM ET/PT, with encores Wednesdays at 9PM ET/PT following new episodes of America's Next Top Model.
Incidentally, last season's winner, Asia Nitollano, a former New York Knicks dance team member from Mt. Vernon, NY, quit after she was crowned the winner, choosing to pursue a solo career instead.
If it's Groundhog Day it must be February Sweeps! With sweeps the networks bring out their big guns — or at least what they've stockpiled since the writers strike. Since scripted programming is at a minimum, most of our stories during the coming week — save Torchwood, The Wire, The L Word, and Cashmere Mafia — will be told in reality programming.
Set your TiVo for these reality superstars:- Saturday: 9:00 pm Color Splash, HGTV; David Bromstad turns a garage into a lounge! And at 10:00 pm, The Graham Norton Show, BBC America; Graham interviews Joan Rivers (who I'll be seeing this week in her new one-woman show at the Geffen).
- Monday: 8:00 pm Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, ABC
- Tuesday: 10:30 pm Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Oxygen; the models head to Miami (and I'm heading there at the end of the month for Winter Party!).
- Wednesday: 10:00 pm Real World/Road Rules Challenge: Gauntlet III, MTV; Ryan (right) remains after breaking Tyler's heart. Brooke and Evelyn? Time will tell. On at the same time is Project Runway, Bravo; the dames of design meet the dames of wrestling. Followed by Dress My Nest, Style at 11:00 pm; Queer Eye’s Thom Filicia designs a romantic bedroom.
- Thursday: 8:00 pm Survivor: Micronesia, CBS (PREMIERE); Past season favorites including lesbian Ami (Survivor: Vanatu) compete against rookies including gay Chet. And at 10:00 pm, Make Me a Supermodel, Bravo; out model Ronnie Kroell continues!
- Friday: 9:00 pm How to Look Good Naked, Lifetime. When is Carson going to give me some tips?
•SPOILER ALERT: A new Lifetime dance competition show will be gay x3. More later!
Find out much more at our weekly TV GAYED listing.
It's season seven of American Idol and until now, no contestants have spoken openly about being gay while on the show. This has probably been a combination of careful editing, producers instructions or the contestants own fear of being judged unfairly. But that all changed last week when the show held auditions in Omaha, Nebraska. Of all places, our gay shining star came from the smallest of small places, Charlotte, Iowa.
23-year-old Leo Marlowe was the final contestant to try out on Tuesday, and he had us at hello when one of the first things out of his mouth was "My mom always said she raised the perfect homecoming queen. Too bad it wasn't one of her daughters." With the three judges busting a gut, there was no way producers could have edited out that gem. Well they could of if Leo had sucked, but he didn't as he performed "A Song For You" by Donny Hathaway.
Simon called him a good, honest kid; Paula said he's a "touchdown!" (and she wants to take him home); and Randy said he was "rockin' the bells." Not sure what that means, but whatever, all three unanimously put Leo on through to Hollywood. We'll be watching the next round with fingers crossed that Leo continues to be refreshingly honest — and keeps rockin' the bells!
Check out Leo's performance here and see the thrilled reaction from his family and friends (aka the population of Charlotte, Iowa).
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