About.com Reality TV

Big Brother 11 Contestants and Twists Revealed

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:45:21 +0000

CBS has finally revealed the latest Big Brother house guests and twists!

Who are the house guests? They are an interesting bunch that includes a bikini model and a neuroscientist. Meet them here.

And what's the big twist? The house will be divided in four teams based on the contestants' former high school cliques -- popular kids, off-beat kids, athletes, or brainiacs. Each clique will compete for power, luxuries, and food in the Big Brother house, which has an eco-friendly theme this season.

In another twist, the cast will find out that a 13th houseguest will be joining the show. The 13th contestant may give one clique an advantage in the game.

Big Brother 11 premieres Thursday, July 9 at 8 pm ET.

Photo of house guest Lydia courtesy of CBS.

Reality TV Premiere Dates Revealed

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:43:38 +0000

Find out when new and returning reality shows are set to premiere!

There Goes the Neighborhood Coming to CBS

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:47:38 +0000

So, CBS has a new reality show. It's called There Goes the Neighborhood. On There Goes the Neighborhood, eight families in a suburban neighborhood will be cut off from the world by a 20-foot-wall. (Yep, you read that right.)

While trapped in the neighborhood with virtually no electricity (no TV, no internet, nada), the families will compete in challenges and face eliminations over the course of a few weeks.The last family left standing in the neighborhood will win a 250,000 grand prize.

The show's executive producer Mike Fleiss is calling There Goes the Neighborhood a social experiment. The "experiment" will air Sundays at 9 pm starting August 9.

Photo © CBS

VH1's Newest Reality Stars: Pepa, Chilli and the Entertainer

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:41:28 +0000

The latest celebrities to get their own VH1 reality shows are a 80's rapper, 90's pop star, and a guy who lives in his parents' basement.

Salt N' Pepa star Sandy "Pepa" Dalton and TLC member Chilli will star in reality shows about their lives as single mothers. Meanwhile, former I Love New York contestant The Entertainer will star in a reality series about his exciting life as a bachelor -- who happens to live in his parents' basement.

These new shows are expected next year.

Photo by Rob Loud/Getty Images

Jon and Kate Shut Up

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:36:02 +0000

Jon and Kate Gosselin finally agree on something -- they no longer want to talk to the media.

The soon-to-divorce couple released the following statement on TLC's website:

During this very difficult time we will be working to focus solely on the needs of our family. This includes no longer commenting publicly or reacting to media stories and speculation. Our goal is to do the very best for our children and that will be done as privately as possible. We appreciate the understanding, support and well wishes from so many. Thank you.

More Jon and Kate: See Jon and Kate in happier times.

Melissa Rycroft Gets Engaged

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:35:07 +0000

More and more, it seems that getting dumped on television was the best thing that ever happened to The Bachelor's Melissa Rycroft.

First, she was chosen to compete on Dancing With the Stars. Then, she landed a correspondent gig on Good Morning America. And now, Melissa is getting married!

People is reporting that Melissa's beau, insurance agent Tye Strickland, popped the question on June 26. The couple, who had been dating on and off for a couple of years, rekindled their romance after flip-flopping Bachelor Jason Mesnick broke up with Melissa in March.

It's great to see that Melissa got her happy ending, after all.

Photo by Handout/Getty Images

Kendra Wilkinson Gets Married

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:22:51 +0000

Former Girls Next Door star Kendra Wilkinson is officially a married woman. Kendra wed NFL player Hank Baskett on Saturday during a lavish wedding ceremony at the Playboy mansion. According to reports, Kendra and Hank's wedding was attended by approximately 500 guests, including Kendra's ex-"boyfriend" Hugh Hefner and her Girls Next Door costars Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt. The pregnant bride wore white and jewelry worth more than $100,000. Her brother walked her down the aisle.

Congratulations, Kendra and Hank!

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images.

TV Land to Air Episodes of Farrah Fawcett's Reality Show This Weekend

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:21:07 +0000

On the heels of Farrah Fawcett's death, TV Land will air episodes of Chasing Farrah, a reality show that followed the late actress in 2005. Chasing Farrah gave fans an intimate look at the actress's life, which ended on Thursday after a well-fought battle with anal cancer.

The first two episodes of Chasing Farrah will air Saturday at 9 pm to 10 pm on TV Land.

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Fox to Honor Michael Jackson by Airing Encore of Special American Idol Episode

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:01:04 +0000

Fox will honor the late King of Pop by airing an encore of the Michael-Jackson-themed American Idol episode that aired last season.

The episode, which featured the Top 13 contestants performing Michael Jackson's hits, will air on Monday, June 29, at 8 pm. The finalists selected songs including "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Black or White," and "Beat It."

Michael Jackson died suddenly on Thursday after he reportedly suffered cardiac arrest. Read more about the superstar's shocking death here. Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images.

Kate Gosselin Races to Divorce Court After Announcing Separation on Reality Show

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:59:31 +0000

The big announcement everyone had been waiting for on Jon & Kate Plus 8 turned out to be Jon and Kate Gosselin's decision to separate.

"Kate and I have decided to separate," Jon said."It's just not good for us to be arguing in front of our kids. ... We can't be cordial with one another." In a separate interview, Kate said "If peace needs to be brought about by this, then I'm in agreement."

But even before the much-anticipated episode aired on Monday night, Kate initiated court proceedings to end the couple's ten-year marriage for good. (See photos of Jon, Kate and the kids in happier times.)

"Over the course of this weekend, Jon's activities have left me no choice but to file legal procedures in order to protect myself and our children," Kate said in a statement. "While there are reasons why it was appropriate and necessary for me to initiate this proceeding, I do not wish to discuss those reasons at this time, in the hope that all issues will be resolved amicably between Jon and myself. As always, my first priority remains our children."

Jon, who says he was too passive during the course of their marriage, released his own statement on Monday. "This afternoon, Kate filed for divorce," he said. "Our kids are still my number one priority. I love them and want to make sure they stay happy, healthy and safe. My job is being the best, most supportive and loving father that I can be to my kids, and not being married to Kate doesn't change that...This will be a difficult transition for all of us, but Kate and I will work out a schedule that enables our kids to have plenty of quality time with both of us at home in Pennsylvania. In terms of my marriage, it's no secret that the past six months or so have been very difficult for Kate and me. We are no different than other couples and parents who are facing a crossroads in their marriage. I am of course deeply saddened that we are divorcing." (Read our readers' advice for Jon and Kate.)

The couple's marriage may be ending, but their reality show goes on. "The show must go on," Kate said. "I will continue to be here, be with the kids, do the same things I've always done with them." As for Jon, he said he would continue to be a part of the reality show, but the couple will continue to interview separately.

What's next? Life and Style magazine is reporting that Jon will be moving to New York City, but he will have the kids on weekends.

Do you think Jon and Kate are making the right move? Sound off in the comments.