AS he noted, the stated goal of the upgrade was to offer a list of updated features, but was has resulted, at least in my experience, has been a system that is simply one channel change away from a restart. But should TW customers have been surprised?
Back in March, TW started the process of upgrading the system and managed to bungle and baffle the users with mixed messages in its marketing and information campaign. Not to mention the fact their system upgrade erased the recording que, not once, not twice but THREE times.
The problem for consumers looking for dependable - high-quality services in the Dayton market is that there is truly little choice. Okay, we could do without TV… (not really an option). Yes there is satellite, but it is plagued with its own set of service issues. The promise of the internet for delivery could be stalled if Time Warner and other internet service providers start charging for internet usage by the byte. So what’s a TV watcher to do?
Since this industry has been protected/restricted in Ohio by the state and local municipalities, it seems it is time for our elected officials to find a solution. Think about the transformation in the telephone industry after deregulation.
I really don’t think it is too much to ask of any service provider to deliver what they are selling in a seamless, user friendly way… do you?
Like many an American Idol reject before her, Kristy Lee Cook, signed a record deal with 19 Recordings - An Arista Label. Cook had previously been signed to the Arista label as a teen.
According to numerous reports. Cook’s first single, “15 Minutes of Shame” is set to be released August 11 with an album to follow later in the Fall. The album is being produced by, Brett James. James co-wrote “Jesus, Take the Wheel, a song that made it to the tops of the charts by another former Idol contestant, Carrie Underwood.
Cook will be traveling with the American Idol 7 Tour currently on the road. While traveling, Cook will be fitting in some recording time for her new album. Based on the September release it looks like Cook will have the first album to hit the shelves from this season’s contestants. Thus, beating out the other two Davids for the honor… we’ll see who’s album sell best.
It seems like most successful reality TV shows that start out in the UK end up here… but, is the world ready for what the BBC has cooked up this time?
The BBC is set to launch a spin-off on the “Top Model” franchise called “Britain’s Missing Top Model.” No the models aren’t kidnapped or dropped from a plane without a map left to fend for themselves, the eight contestants are missing arms and legs and the like.
The preview for the show (see below) suggests the “Stylish, sassy, chic” models want to model and the series of programing will “challenge our ideas of beauty.”
bbc.co.uk
One of the ingredients that makes the American version of “Top Model” work is the caddy cat fights and sassy attitudes as the contestants claw their way down the runway. While there is nothing in the promo to suggest otherwise, one is left to wonder which direction this show is headed.
The TV critic for the Times wrote of the show - “it becomes swiftly apparent, taking the most-judgmental show on Earth and making it over into a touchy-feely, patronising piece of Issue TV on behalf of the disabled just doesn’t work. It’s as pointless as buying into the McDonald’s franchise and then turning your branch into a expensive vegan gastropub.”
I’m guessing she didn’t like the show…
The eight contestants share an accessible flat while they do the usual “Top Model” stuff, including vying for the top model prize.
It isn’t clear if Tyra Banks is a part of the process but in recent years, she’s been working to compete with Oprah and Maratha - so If this is how she plans to one-up those two - I say go for it!
One of the eight contestants is from here in the US so why not bring the “Missing Model Show to the US? I’d like to think America is ready.
The summer season of reality TV show is so chocked full of new shows it’s hard to keep them all straight. “Baby Borrowers,” a new reality TV concept airing on NBC seems to be pushing the reality TV genre a little too far.
The idea of the show is to give five teenage couples the chance to play house for three weeks… with a real live baby… I’ll say it again a REAL - LIVE - 11 month old baby.
Sure, they give the teens some classes in how to be “parents,” but, really? Perhaps I’m underestimating teen parents.
The teens are “under 24-hour supervision by nannies and the real parents who are stationed next door, watching via monitor, and able to step in at any time.” The teen parent wannabes are also required to get a job and face many of the other “real life” challenges. The teens just start to sharpen their parenting skills when, next round of parenthood begins. Next up, “toddlers.” Followed by, preteens, a new pet, teenagers and they get the chance to care for a senior citizen.
I guess I’m just too much of a worrier… once you get above the toddler things should be okay… I just worry for the babies!
Is the show a good or bad idea? Regardless, I worry for the babies…
I’m not sure why summer is the season of new reality TV shows but during the next few weeks the networks will be adding dozens of series to their line-ups.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels, Season 4 - Started Sunday, June 15 at 9PM ET A&E-
Back for a fourth season the former frontman of KISS, Gene Simmons and his family will be faced with unusual challanges including undergoing a lie-detector test to test whether or not he was been faithful to the mother of their two children. A promo for the show seems to suggest Simmons may have had some facial work done…
Intervention, Season 5 -returned Monday, June 16 at 9PM ET A&E-
Ever wonder what it might be like to be in rehab? Yes there is a reality TV show about this too. Back for a fifth season, this reality TV show follows people who have hit the bottom.
Whatever thier “demons” these people are shown confronting them and attempting to move on… This isn’t an easy show to watch and reminds me of the movement awhile back called “Scared Straight” that attempted to scare young people away from crime
Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal -Started Monday, June 16 at 10PM ET A&E-
EVer have a kid tell you they thought they saw something or knew something was going to happen? Well, this new reality TV show is aiming to help the kids and their parents as they come to terms with their skills?
Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood, Season 3 -Started Tuesday, June 17 at 10PM ET Oxygen-
Guess what - Tori and Dean are back… this time they around they’ve moved back to Hollywood. So this season is going to be all about moving, new ventures and preparing for the new little one…
Flipping Out, Season 2 -started Tuesday, June 17 at 10PM ET Bravo-
Last year, I flipped for this mid-season introduction. The main guy, Jeff is crazy and his staff empowers him and his antics. OMG. I can’t wait to watch this one!
Black Gold -started Wednesday, June 18 at 10PM ET truTV (formally courtTV)-
From the creators of Ice Road Truckers, this reality TV series will follow workers in one of the most dangerous jobs in America, digging for oil. Pipes, oil and danger await the crews of an oil “wild-cat” crew.
Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew, Season 2 -Started Thursday, June 19 at 10PM ET MTV-
Done with American Idol for another season is ready to do his own thing… In the second season, dance crews selected from around the U.S. will be competing for their chance to claim the top prize $100,000 grand prize. Too bad Simon and Paula won’t be a part of this series… I miss them already.
Well that catches me up for last week….(June 15-21).
Got a fave? Share it here! We’d love to talk about it.
If you had your own TV network and could come up with an award show who or what would you include? Would your list include Perez Hilton, Barack Obama, Britney Spears And Ryan Seacrest?
Tonight, Bravo TV is airing is its first ever “A-List Awards” show. Certainly a take on the show’s host, Kathy Griffin’s “My Life on the D-List”, the show will be “honoring those who have made an indelible mark in the arts, and showcasing some of the leading creative minds working today.” The winner in each category will take home a trophy designed by none other than Jonathan Adler… the “see you later decorator” dude from Bravo TV’s “Top Design” reality TV series.
Here are the Categories:
A-LIST CEWEBRITY - Voted on by fans at BravoTV.com, it is awarded to the male or female whose celebrity has been greatly increased, if not entirely created, by their popularity on the internet. In fact, if the internet didn’t exist, you probably wouldn’t know who this person was.
· Mario Lavandeira - perezhilton.com
· Christian Lander - stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com
· Obama Girl - obamagirl.com
· Jay Maynard - www.tronguy.net
· Gary Vaynerchuk - tv.winelibrary.com
A-LIST TV SHOW - The freshest, most creative and innovative television program, be it comedy or drama, on air in the past year:
· “30 Rock”
· “Gossip Girl”
· “Mad Men”
· “Weeds”
A-LIST ACTOR (Female) - Awarded to an actress in a scripted series whose character portrayal in the last year has moved, delighted, amused, enthralled and entertained us more than any other actress on television.
· Dana Delany, “Desperate Housewives”
· Jenna Fischer, “The Office”
· Leighton Meester, “Gossip Girl”
· Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty”
A-LIST DRAMA KING - Awarded to the male deemed to be the most popular and entertaining individual in a reality TV series.
· Evil Dick, “Big Brother”
· Piers Morgan, “Celebrity Apprentice”
· Spencer Pratt, “The Hills”
· Christian Siriano, “Project Runway”
A-LIST DRAMA QUEEN - Presented to the female deemed to be the most popular and entertaining individual in a reality TV series.
· Lauren Conrad, “The Hills”
· Marie Osmond, “Dancing with the Stars”
· Ramona Singer, “The Real Housewives of New York City”
· Tila Tequila, “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”
A-LIST MUST HAVE - Given to the hippest, most fade-worthy, accessory that any celebrity needs in order to officially be considered a member of the A-List.
A baby
· iPhone
· Rehab stint
· Rock Band
A-LIST EVERYWHERE - Presented to the face and name in pop culture that is impossible to avoid, even if you wanted to.
· Barack Obama
· Nicole Richie
· Ryan Seacrest
· Britney Spears
A-LIST FASHION - Presented to a fashion designer who has proven to be a tried and true trendsetter and taste maker.
· Tory Burch
· Zac Posen
· Proenza Schouler
· Anna Sui
A-LIST CHEF - Presented to a chef who has shown the greatest ingenuity and creativity with his or her culinary creations.
· Jose Andres, Washington, D.C.
· David Chang, New York
· Suzanne Goin, Los Angeles
· Michael Psilakis, New York
A-LIST RESTAURANT - Awarded to the restaurant that has put itself on the map as the most delectable eatery in the United States.
After three season’s of men capturing the title of “Top Chef,” Chicago native, Stephanie Izard
became the first woman to win the title.
Izard appeared to be stunned by saying “”What? Really? Oh my God, thank you” as Padma Lakshmi, the show’s host, gave the results during Wednesdays night’s finale.
It was a night of surprises. First the celebrity chefs that served as the contestants called in “sick” leaving the contents to cook it out for themselves.
Second, during the final interview with the judges, rather than selling his skills Richard said he choked. And while the judges agreed, what the heck was he thinking? Finally, LIsa. This fiery chef seemed to come from behind and nearly pulled out a win. It appeared it was her appetizer course that was too hot for the judges to handle.
So, after 14 episodes and 3 seasons the “Top Chef” title finally goes to a woman. Congrats!
How would you rate this season - Undercooked? Well-done? of cooked to perfection?
Reality Bytes | Gossip about reality TV including Survivor, The Apprentice, Real World and The Amazing Race
Craig Schrolucke watches all the best "unscripted" television shows so you don't have to. He keeps you updated on "American Idol," "Dancing With the Stars," " Top Chef," "Project Runway" and many other reality shows and reality stars.
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I’ve been a Dish Network subscriber for 6 years now with no problems. Sure, the thing loses