Reality Check

Here’s a little “reality check” for those of you who haven’t been sure what to watch or what to skip in a world of ever growing reality programming.

Jersey Shore (Must See)

Let me begin with the obvious: this show is ridiculous. If you expect anything less than juiceheads and guidettes partying like it’s 1999 you will be sorely disappointed. However, for those of you (like me) who enjoy the cheap thrills of over-edited MTV drama, season three is not going to disappoint. It didn’t take long for the first cat fight (Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and Jenni “JWoww” Farley bring the heat in episode one) nor did it take long for the newest of the bunch (Deena Cortese) to assert herself as not only a “holiday” but a serious hot mess by getting thrown from a club barely seven minutes into partying. Even though Snooki already got arrested, I have a feeling there will be more memorable moments coming this season so hold on to your hat, it’s going to be a bumpy ride down the shore.

(If you’re still not interested in season three, I can promise big things for season four which is now scheduled to begin filming in Italy in the coming months.)

American Idol (Must Miss)

I cringe every time I remember this show is still on. It really baffles me that people are still watching it, but as the audience fails to dwindle, I continue to dutifully watch and report on this apparently-never-ending series. The new judges are here and no one has stood out yet as a “new Simon.” I’m sure as the weeks go on, J.Lo and Steven Tyler will become as jaded and spiteful as the previous judges, but for now they’re still a little too kind. Nothing has really changed from the first nine seasons, and I can’t see the show taking a seriously original or unexpected turn for the better in season 10. If you like more of the same, keep tuning in to FOX.

Heavy (Nothing Special)

This new show on A&E seems to be cashing in on the “overweight-but-willing-to-change” trend that has NBC’s “Biggest Loser” at the top of the charts. I was hopeful when I sat down to watch the season opener, but I should note: I don’t usually like the sob story positive reality programming, so if that’s what you go for maybe this is the show for you. There was a lot of sadness and a lot of hard work and the show definitely has a positive message: change is possible when you want it and work for it. But even after following the characters for six months of back-breaking work to change their lives, it leaves on a very inconclusive note. I felt like it was a cliffhanger but with no promise to follow up on future episodes. Maybe I expected too much of a transformation in an hour long program, but the results were not the wow-factor that “Biggest Loser” promises at the end of their seasons.