Reality Bytes: Best, worst of '08
Looking back at the highs and lows or reality TV
By Wendy Kale (Contact)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Bret Michaels' "Rock of Love" franchise provided the best reality TV of 2008.
Reality TV had a wild ride in 2008.
More Paparazzi 
Share and Enjoy So, without further ado, here's the best and worst reality shows of the year.
Worst of 2008
1. "American Idol" -- "AI" kicked off the year with a bland season of talentless wannabes. America voted for David Cook -- and where is he now? Probably singing at a Holiday Inn.
That's why "AI" is re-vamping the show for 2009.
2. "Celebrity Apprentice" -- Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice" ranked as one of the worst reality shows of 2008. Pitting KISS' Gene Simmons vs. Stephen Baldwin was like the second coming of "Dumb and Dumber."
Trump wasn't phased. He's bringing back the show with a much edgier cast in '09.
3. "I Want To Work For Diddy" -- This show left America disrespecting rap star P. Diddy.
Diddy didn't even show up for the show's complicated tasks and his contestants were clueless.
4. "Estate of Panic" -- The Sci Fi Network entered the reality TV world with the really bad "Estate of Panic." Get the pun -- a state of panic?
Ha Ha. I'm not laughing.
Contestants on the show faced electrocution, drowning and snake pits, all so they could walk away with a measly $20,000. Cough up the cash Sci Fi -- this show's going down.
5. "The Pick-up Artist" -- This stinker had two seasons in 2008 -- and I'm asking, Why?
The show's pimped-out host, some guy named Mystery, offered his contestants two crash-programs in picking up women this year.
Mystery's pick-up advice was as lame as his wardrobe.
Runner-ups -- "I Wanna Be Paris' New Best Friend," Danny Bonaduce's "I Know My Kid's a Star," "Scott Baio's 46 and Pregnant" and "Dancing with the Stars."
Best of 2008
1. "Rock of Love," "Rock of Love Charm School" -- OK, Bret Michaels is a rock has-been, but he did create some of the spiciest reality TV shows of 2008.
Michaels' "Rock of Love" and "Rock of Love Charm School" -- with Sharon Osbourne -- had viewers begging for more catfights and backstabbing sessions.
The Poison frontman knows he has a good thing, so next month he's debuting "Rock of Love Tour Bus."
2. "The Amazing Race" -- This winner keeps running off with Emmys, and it's easy to see why. This year's shows featured oddball teams that ranged from pink-haired punkers to frat rats.
Also, the race's tasks have become more challenging. The show's producers are definitely creating some white-knuckled episodes.
3. "Survivor" -- While "Survivor" may have had its share of crazy characters in 2008, the "All-Star" spring season and "Survivor: Gabon" this fall kept viewers begging for more.
Plus, "Survivor: Gabon's" "Bow Tie" Bob Crowley proved good guys can win this game.
4. "My Life on the D-List" -- Kathy Griffin's probably one of the funniest and most under-rated comics in America. Her slice-of-life "My Life on the D-List" is priceless.
Whether Griffin's visiting troops in Iraq, creating insane tasks for her assistants or doing stand-up, she's always outrageously funny and right on the money.
5. "Top Chef: New York" -- Even if you hate to cook, "Top Chef" is still one of the top reality TV shows around. The spring edition was fast-paced and the chefs were extremely passionate about playing the game.
"Top Chef's" winter season -- featuring to Boulder contestants -- is a little off par, but hopefully things will heat up in the kitchen. It's only midway for this show and there are plenty of weeks to go.
Plus, "Top Chef" just aired a deliciously good holiday special that featured the quirkiest chefs of seasons past.
Runners-up -- "The Millionaire Matchmaker," "Reality Bites Back and "Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood."
Comments
Posted by supercool on December 28, 2008 at 7:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Wendy Kale (The person who wrote this article)
Or shall I call you Wendy STALE?! Obviously you are stale beings as though you have no idea who David Cook is or what he is currently doing. David Cook's self titled album absolutely is one of the most heartfelt creations of REAL rock music I have listened to in years. As a matter of fact Wendy my favorite band of all time is Crosby Stills and Nash? Do you know who they are? I love Everything David Cook represents and writes and every syllable that he utters. Do your homework Ms. Kale before your information gets any more stale.
Posted by supercool on December 28, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wendy, you really didn't even bother to at least "google" David Cook let alone listen to his music post, during or pre-idol did you? Obviously not since he is NOT singing in a Holiday Inn. You ought to be writing for the Holiday Inn. Man are you out of the Rock World Loop.
Posted by sassypants on December 28, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not sure where you get off saying David Cook is (probably) playing Holiday Inns. He has a platinum single already and his new self titled CD (released in November) has already sold almost 700,000 copies so he's far from an also-ran and has plenty of fan support. He also was on Saturday Night Live in November as musical guest or did you miss that? Did you miss Ellen, Leno, Kimmel, Regis and Kelly, Oprah, the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Special and countless other TV shows as well in which he guested? Apparently so. Cook won by 12 million votes on American Idol so I'm not sure where you come up with "talentless" or that the show was bland. Are you aware that the "bland" David Cook holds the record for most songs on the Billboard Charts since the Beatles? No, I'm sure you missed that too. They have revamped AI for this coming year but the show was still number one for 2008. Maybe a little research is in order?
Posted by supercool on December 28, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Sassypants!! Great recap on our Rock God.
Posted by picky on December 29, 2008 at 12:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Unless the Holiday Inn franchise bought out the Mirage in Vegas your prediction is way off.
Since you obviously live on Mars, there is this thing the planet Earth does every year. It's called celebrating the New Year. David Cook is performing at the Mirage for New Years Eve. If you get the Fox network on Mars you might want to tune in.
Posted by WeHoScott on December 29, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Picking up on what picky wrote: The Mirage in Las Vegas is hardly some
Holiday Inn. His performance will be on the Fox Network's New Year's Eve show. And as for SNL, not only were he and his BAND the musical guest on 11/1, it was REPEATED JUST LAST NIGHT on NBC (did you even know
he's got a full band, and that he has so much clout with RCA Records that
they allowed him to hire 3 of his mega-talented former bandmates from
Midwest Kings?).
Let's see, what else, David is appearing on Kimmel again on 1/13. His last
Leno appearance in November was his THIRD TIME on the show. His new
album went gold in 4 weeks, and will likely end the year at 800,000 in sales after just 6 weeks, and could go platinum in February. He has two hit songs charting on HAC and AC, and his newest hit Light On is also charting in Top 40. And that his first single (the platinum one) is STILL #1 on AC. Like 13 weeks, minus a brief dip over Christmas. Yes, David Cook is quite the success.
Posted by tigergirl on December 29, 2008 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The snippet about David Cook - please girl - you must be so out of the loop - he's absolutely AWESOME - and he was even on yahoo most popular searches for yesterday - Please research things before you start giving out the wrong info.Also if you are near a TV on New Years Eve tune into FOX - and you can see this guy that you think is at the Holiday Inn - or come on - I know you are going to be there and wish he would b also - Is that your Christmas wish a little late???Also as they say ignorance is bliss....
Posted by picky on December 29, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was so concerned about your entertainment choices on Mars, I forgot to comment on some of the other shows you listed.
Rock of Love? Really? This is quality entertainment? That explains a lot. This reduces women to the lowest common denominator.
Millionaire Matchmaker. Yawn, more narcissistic, pretentious buffoons.
Tori and Dean. Barf, they are insipid and pointless.
I actually agree with some of your choices.
Kathy Griffin. I love her and her show.
Top chef is another excellent show.
Posted by conrad on December 29, 2008 at 1:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you're getting an education about what happens when you don't check your facts. The above comments about David Cook are accurate, except that he hired two, not three bandmates from the Midwest Kings. David makes the third member from that band. He's added two new members, a fantastic bass player and a great drummer.
Check out the youtubes of his recent live appearances or his pre-idol music. You might even decide to buy his new album. Unless you're only into Classical, Pop, Country or unless you can't handle intelligent music that pulls for an emotional connection, you're in for a treat. You might even want to set the record straight.
Posted by WhatHappensNext on December 29, 2008 at 1:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, you couldn’t be more off base in your pick for the worst reality show. Of all the years for you to decide that American Idol has become irrelevant, you picked a season when America got it right. Unlike previous years when the winner sank into anonymity and the also-rans became stars, David Cook has actually lived up to the promise of being a real superstar. I won’t restate what others have posted regarding David’s sales or the numerous TV and concert appearances he’s made (although these alone speak to your utter cluelessness about popular culture). I’ll just say that if you looked one inch beyond your preconceived notions of where talent might be found, you might see that your “best of" list includes a dumping ground of the truly desperate (Millionaire Matchmaker), the outright insane (Rock of Love), and products of the machinations of producers and editors to concoct “personalities” as flimsy as your arguments presented here (Tori and Dean). Maybe you should actually listen to David's music or an interview with him before you pass judgment on American Idol's ability to discover real talent.
Posted by tigergirl on December 29, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry had a thought and had to post again - Please tell me how it feels when REALITY Really Bytes one?? Or are you caught in an AVALANCHE in Colorado and blinded by the snow??
Posted by Aileen2 on December 29, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Rock of Love Charm School? Seriously? The women showcased on that show were pathetic, and I couldn't watch it after the first several episodes. I would agree about Survivor, Amazing Race and Top Chef.
Labeling American Idol as the worst when you're saying Rock of Love Charm School is the best does say that you're a little out of touch with reality. The contestants on American Idol actually have talent. LOL about David Cook singing at Holiday Inn. I guess you don't really have to fact check or actually be in touch with pop culture to be a reporter on colorado daily. The talentless wannabees are proving themselves as very successful recording artists who are selling albums and singles at a very healthy rate. David Archuleta and David Cook are both platinum recording artists. Did you not get the memo?
Posted by Incipit on December 29, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well alright Wendy! You're famous.
For all the wrong reasons. Check your counter?
It's the season of Goodwill, and like that, so I'm absolutely willing to believe
that you were writing about the last season of American Idol with tongue in
cheek...if you want to spin it that way. That seems so much better than
making airy pronouncements with no knowledge, no research, and actually,
no facts at all.
Since the relevant facts have now been kindly provided for you, you could
just call it a 'sarchasm' - The giant gulf (chasm) between what is said and the
person who doesn't get it.
I think it would play, after all, "Rock of Love"? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on that
one, Wendy, if you were serious.
Happy New Year.
Posted by Jen531 on December 29, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Considering his single "Light On" is #25 on KALC and #23 at KIMN, I guess David Cook is in good company at the Holiday Inn, LOL, along with Coldplay and those other unknowns. And we all know SNL only has musical guests that regularly play Holiday Inn.
His first single "Time of my Life" went platinum and his self-titled album just released in November is already gold and heading towards platinum. And BTW, it's a rock record. You should take a listen to Bar-ba-sol!
Posted by Jen531 on December 29, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a Boulder resident I know that Boulder is way too hip for American Idol, however.... David Cook, an established rock musician in Tulsa, has shaken the dust of AI off of his boots and he is a major new rock talent.
I always thought American Idol was a cheesy show myself, and therefore was stunned and thrilled to stumble across David Cook this past season. Check out his two Axium CD's, recorded long before AI, available as MP3 downloads from Walmart. They were among the top 20 downloads from Walmart in 2008.
Posted by Shenanigan on December 29, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wendy:
I can understand your doubts about American Idol. The show can be pretty cheesy. However, David Cook is the real deal, an authentic alt-rocker and frontman before and a rock star now. Along with platinum and gold records, his live shows are electrifying and there is not a bit of cheese in view. Go to u-tube and look at some of his recent live performances and you will see what people are talking about. The SNL performance of 'Declaration' is also amazing.
Knowing the back story will help give some context for some of the songs, but the music stands on its own.
Posted by chinee on December 29, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey!! david cook is really good and he has an amazing talent..just admit that you just don't know how good he is..
thanks sassy pants for the great recap about how good is david cook..your right david cook holds the record for the most song on the billboard since the beatles..
Posted by mandy on December 29, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow Wendy, I think you're going to have to rank as one of the least accurate columnists of 2008. I see plenty of readers have already corrected you on the status of David Cook so I won't repeat it...but how lazy can you be on your research to not even look something up that's so easily accessible?
As for your "picks"....never heard of Rock Star......and Survivor is so passe it's laughable. AI continues to be the number one show watched......no matter what you think of it. And this year's winner is going to be their biggest star yet.
Posted by juju0128 on December 29, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
God, where do these rags get their contributors? If you REALLY think David Cook is now playing in Holiday Inns, you must have had your head where it belongs for the past year. Google sometime, why don't ya? See how the world REALLY is before you write a commentary on it. This is the worst "Worst of 2008" written so far. Gah.
Posted by contentmatters on December 29, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This writer is obviously ignorant of most things she writes. Her last blog started with the statement, "2008 was a very good year for the music industry." That made me question more than just her, but question this web site/newspaper whatever it is in general. It's common knowledge that the music industry is in a world of hurt. The love for rock of love makes it apparent that all her taste is in her mouth.
Posted by supercool on December 29, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the writer should correct her error and apologize. That is what David Cook would do.
Posted by whoaaitsmichele on December 29, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, please. Correst your errors as David Cook has been one of the greatest things to come off of American Idol in a while.
Posted by dreamydraw2007 on December 30, 2008 at 12:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
really wendy--your review is almost funny if not the most ignorant misinformed reading I've seen. I won't repeat all the comments and gigs posted for david Cook but I agree w/them because he is one of the most talented AMAZING, DOWN TO EARTH HUMAM BEING TO COME ALONE IN THE MUSIC WORLD IN A LONG TIME! Have you ever heard him SING? If you have and IF you haven't been affected by his incredebly unique haunting vocals---then you surely have no sound for tone!!! David Cook is phenominal--Do check out his billboard stats for now and when he was on AI--you will learn something. He has broken all kinds of records stats. His album came out at #3 and has held the #10 spot since-not too shabby when the holiday inn is everything from all the talk shows to ABC,SNL,OPRA and FOX on new years eve and all the concerts he and the EEB band(as I like to call them) Seeing David Cook in person is when one really gets to know him and finds out how real he is. He's going tobe around for awhile so check him out live.
Posted by westwingopotus on December 31, 2008 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL...Wow, somebody voted for Jason Castro didn't they? This has a very distinct "eau de twisted panties" smell to it.
But then again, somebody who actually still watches Survivior, a show that was SO OVER five years ago -- doesn't exactly have her finger on the pulse of what's current or hot in pop culture.
My dear, the sound you hear is that of people laughing at you and not with you.
Posted by WeHoScott on December 31, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh westwingopotus, I like Survivor (pouts and turns away!) It's my guilty
pleasure! LOL!
Posted by DiDee on January 4, 2009 at 12:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seriously Wendy, what do you REALLY do for a living? Better yet, you should be unemployed after the ignorant David Cook comment.