| Page 2 of 2 < |
Summer: No Vacation From Reality
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
The lowdown: "Nanny 911" begot "Supernanny" begot "Brat Camp." The modest popularity of these shows seems to make ABC think there's an audience out there who enjoys watching children behave badly. ABC puts this sometimes-hard-to-take reality show in the time slot previously occupied by the summer's surprise feel-good hit, "Dancing With the Stars," but the two shows couldn't be more different.
Reality check: The first episode, which introduces the troubled teenagers, resembles a "My Kid Is Out of Control!" episode of "Jerry Springer." But the series quickly finds its groove as the kids arrive at camp. The problems these youngsters face are genuine, and it appears none of them is mugging for the camera. The camp counselors, who go by names such as "Cougar" and "Glacier Mountain Lion," come out looking like the real heroes here, as they take a tough-love approach with these hard-to-handle kids.
-- John Maynard
Hooking Up
Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC
The tagline you'll never see: Desperate mousepads.
The basics: ABC News takes on the hard-hitting issue of . . . Internet dating. Tens of millions of Americans have used an online service in their search for a mate, making it the multibillion-dollar industry it is today. This five-part series follows 12 Internet-savvy Manhattan women who hope to point-and-click their way to a husband. The subjects include Amy, a 28-year-old real estate broker who "wants to make babies," and Lisa, a 36-year-old gynecologist who's fond of lying about her occupation and name on the first date. Cameras closely follow the gals as they engage in this 21st-century mating ritual.
The lowdown: Terence Wrong, who produced the terrific "24/7" series for ABC News that profiled politicians, hospitals and the police, sexes it up a bit with his latest series. Though critically acclaimed, his past efforts for ABC News have failed to deliver much of an audience during their summer runs. "Hooking Up" carries more viewership potential, but it also faces tough competition in its time slot: CBS's "CSI" repeats this summer are doing just fine, often winning the week in the Nielsen ratings race.
Reality check: Despite the ABC News name, "Hooking Up" comes across as a polished version of "Blind Date" or any number of syndicated dating shows. Its emphasis is less about how these women select potential mates online and more about the dates themselves. While it does capture some genuine dating moments -- the thrill of making a connection, the agony of a dud -- the participants seem all too aware that the cameras are rolling.
-- John Maynard
