CW Lessons: Reality TV Format Changes Can Work… But Sometimes, If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
After a few seasons, some tried-and-true CW reality shows couldn't resist shaking things up a bit with a new format. Did the changes work? Well, depends on the show (and who you ask). Here are two shows we think became even stronger with a few tweaks to their formats:
America's Next Top Model: We think bringing the franchise back to New York was one of Tyra's best decisions in awhile. The LA cycles just didn't have the same frenetic energy of NYC's streets. Watching the girls navigate LA's streets in the back of a limo couldn't compare to the excitement of seeing them race through Midtown or the Fashion District. And yeah, LA has great laid-back style, but NYC is still the epicenter of fashion in the US -- and gives the girls ample opportunities to strut their stuff on the street. Case closed. Tyra, keep ANTM in NYC, please!
Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious: The second installment of The Search for the Next Doll felt more true to itself than the first. That's because in a controversial move, first season winner Asia chose to pursue a solo career rather than join the Pussycat Dolls... even though having her join was the entire premise of the show! This time around, Robin and her pals wisely chose to form an entirely new group, Girlicious -- a younger, sassier version of PCD. The girls not only had to show they could stand out, they had to prove they could work together (as this Sourcies clip illustrates, it didn't always go smoothly!). Not everyone was happy with all the winners, but at least we know they'll go on to work with Robin in the group we were promised!
We didn't welcome all format changes this year, though. Consider Beauty and the Geek. For its fifth season, the stalwart show decided to pit the beauties and the geek against each other in competition, in lieu of its usual beauty/geek pairings. Keep reading to find out why we weren't fans of this shakeup!
Those of us who adored watching beauties and geeks bond felt cheated when the total opposites fought against each other instead. How was this different from any other reality show, exactly? The show wisened up and went back to its original format a few episodes in, but by then we think the damage may have been done -- ratings were down, and BATG is going on hiatus for awhile. We hope the show learns from its mistakes and comes back stronger than ever... by sticking with what works.
What do you think? Which reality show format changes worked for you... and which had you throwing pillows at your TV? Which reality shows could use some serious change, and what would you suggest? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
ENOUGH WITH THE CRAP ON TV!!
I am so sick and tired of reality tv shows. the only reality tv shows that I watch are Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, both not on the CW. The CW reality tv shows are redundant, pointless, unoriginal, stupid concepts, and the list can go on and on.
Granted I do like a couple of CW shows but not these kinds. They need to be off the air ASAP.
Beauty and the Geek should have never been on the air. Period.
Pussycat Dolls is absolutely horrible. They think that they are sexy but guess what? What they stand for is trash. There's nothing left for the imagination. Too provocative, and their songs are pointless and all about sex. It's disgusting.
CW, just stick to regular shows and bomb all reality. The point of TV is to get *away* from reality.
Posted by: Zury | July 10, 2008 12:58 PM
The CW lacked originality with the reality shows last year. Almost all the shows were predictable and dull.
PCD presents Girlicious: Training talented young women to be whores and sluts doesn't scream confidence and girl-power. As man, the sexiest thing about a woman is the mistery of what's within. I miss when R&B/Pop singers kept their clothes on and went platinum because they could actually hold a note outside of the studio.
Beauty and The Geek: They lost me with the "male" beauty and the female geek in Season 4. To me a better switch would of been all female geeks and male beauties. That'll be interesting to see the transformation.
ANTM: Best thing was moving to NYC.
Crowned: I wouldn't watch that show even if you paid me! The commercials set the south back 20 years.
Farmer Wants A Wife: the bachelor on a tractor? Come on!!! The Bachelor on ABC is in it's 15th season or something, why would we be interested in another variation of the same show.
Originality and creativity go a long way.
I'm still waiting on "13", but I guess there wasn't enough teenage sex or gossip to support this show.
Posted by: Q | July 9, 2008 4:34 PM
Reality TV is an insult to reality, I'd rather have a root canal than have to watch Tyra act like she cares about those girls, or watch the Girlicious broads embarrass themselves.
Speaking of Girlicious, did anyone else think that their music video for Stupid Sh_t was a joke? Talk about painful...
Posted by: Mads | July 9, 2008 1:18 PM