Category: Reality Shows

Primetime with Clara’s views on TV’s reality shows.

Writer’s strike means one long summer of bad TV

We’re in for a long rest of 2023 the way things are going.

Members of the WGA are on strike. From news reports, it’ll be a while before we get new scripted material, and actors may join.

Rumors of a strike circulated for a bit before it formally started May 2. And it feels like some networks were assuming it was inevitable.

Let’s take a look at what some networks are doing during this strike.

CBS

All new shows or seasons say “Coming Soon” at the end of the previews.

This includes “Young Sheldon” and “Ghosts,” which ended on a cliffhanger. There also looks to be a new “Matlock” starring Kathy Bates, and at least something has been written and filmed based on clips from the commercial.

Fox

Two reality shows flooded commercials on this broadcast network.

There’s “Food Stars,” another Gordon Ramsey competition show. Plus William Shatner will host “Stars on Mars” starting June 5.

No, they didn’t film on Mars, and the cast is an interesting hodge-podge (Ariel Winter from “Modern Family” and Tom Schwartz from “Vanderpump Rules”… and your social media feeds … are among the cast).

ABC

As if watching so many more game and reality shows this summer and potentially fall wasn’t enough, ABC has “The Game Show Show,” a docuseries about…you guessed it, game shows.

It’s actually interesting, but it’s only four parts.

There’s also “The Prank Panel,” which includes Johnny Knoxville. It looks like Punk’d for regular people.

And, ABC has finally got the ball rolling for its long-discussed senior bachelor show, though it’s called “The Golden Bachelor.” It seems to me the writers already left before a name was settled on. It’ll air in the fall, after this summer’s “The Bachelorette.”

the CW

the CW doesn’t really have a game show pull, nor does it do reality shows.

Now, they’ve done this before, but they announced (before the strike officially started) they are bringing a Canadian show, “Sullivan’s Crossing,” to the network.

I’m guessing it was an easy decision. The show has ties to “Virgin River,” and it stars Chad Michael Murray and Scott Patterson. The CW knows its demographic.

This is just what I’ve noticed; it’s not a comprehensive list. But overall, none of this particularly excites me, but this is what happens when there’s a strike.

Networks, if you want good TV again…pay your writers. And don’t use A.I.; it’s unnatural.

I’d suggest catching up with other shows, like “Not Dead Yet.”

The truth about dating reality shows

We all know reality shows aren’t really reality. They’re a contrived environment meant for entertainment.

So what happens when dating shows become a joke? TV networks create even more gimmicks.

Monday is the start of season 19 of The Bachelorette, or The Bachelorettes. Two women will be handing out roses the entire season. Bachelor Nation has done this twice before, but never for an entire season.

The two women, Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia, were dumped by last season’s bachelor at the same time (please cue a massive eye roll for how dumb that was). So far, it seems they’ll make it through the journey without drama between them, but will it be dramatic in other ways?

Bachelor producers certainly want us to think so. This gimmick seems like a huge ploy to attempt to get ratings back up after recent declines.

While Bachelor Nation has been going strong for 20 years, its success rate isn’t good. One Bachelor is married to his winner (though two are married to their runners-up after both pulling switcheroos during the finale), and the most recent two are still in a relationship with the woman they chose.

The Bachelorettes have a slightly higher success rate, with four still married to their pick (another final couple announced their divorce in 2020 after eight years together).

The spinoff Bachelor in Paradise could be deemed the most successful in terms of couples staying together, but there’s not a clear-cut formula to mark success for that show.

The Bachelor and Bachelorette have all but monopolized the dating reality show realm. Its tradition of handing out roses, 1-on-1 and group dates, the limo entrances, the fantasy suites, and travel make it seem like such a fairytale.

And maybe early on it was. Who wouldn’t mind a little humiliation for travel opportunities, a swag bag and the chance to fall in love? (Contestants don’t get paid monetarily, but the lead does.)

But in the age of Tinder and other online dating sites, why bother taking unpaid time off work for a person you don’t know and probably doesn’t live in your state when you can just go online and find hundreds of available options?

In a word: influence.

It’s not just 15 minutes of fame anyone; contestants can buoy a 3- or 4-episode run (or a particularly interesting night-one or villain turn) into an Instagram influence deal and verified account.

Tayshia Adams, one of the more recent Bachelorettes, is an influencer and co-host. She was a phlebotomist. She’s not alone in leaving her profession for “lifestyle expert” work.

The romance doesn’t matter on this show anymore; it’s how you can score celebrity status.

Producers know it too. The dates are almost verbatim every season, and manipulation of contestants is fairly obvious. But people seem more than willing to sign up for humiliation at the chance of mediocre fame (ironically, at least one person each season is called out for not being there for the right reasons, aka finding love).

Reality TV isn’t great, let’s be real. It’s mindless entertainment that allows you to turn your brain off and laugh at other people. It’s watercooler TV, even in the age of remote work.

With as many options as there are these days, you can listen to or watch recaps, which typically boil down a 2-hour, with commercials episode into around 20 minutes, instead of watching the actual episode. You lose some of the drama, but you also save time while still staying in the know.

Because we all see the fame opportunities and Bachelor shows still have social and pop culture traction, other TV networks keep trying to find their own version.

This winter, Fox brought back Joe Millionaire with the subtitle “For Richer or Poorer,” but the bits I saw looked so early 2000s, it was almost gross. And neither couple lasted long past airing.

NBC brought “The Courtship,” which felt like Bridgerton meets Bachelor. The winning couple isn’t together anymore either.

The process doesn’t work. That’s obvious. But people love to watch other people crash and burn. And the fantasy of falling in love still rings so true for people, it’s hard to resist. We hope they work out, but deep down we know it’s unlikely.

I just wish the gimmicks would stop, but that’s what goes viral.

I could stop watching (I prefer the recaps more and more), but it’s hard not to watch to see what wacky date or trick they’ll try next.

The Ultimate Surfer: ABC’s gives viewers more paradise?

I guess when you miss a year of paradise, you have to make up for it with double the water waves?

“The Ultimate Surfer” is like the Olympics, “Big Brother,” “Survivor,” “Wipeout” and “Bachelor in Paradise” rolled into one.

The reality competition show has the same bad dramatic music and rumors from “Bachelor” shows to hype up drama, challenges and a host who’s kind of notable like “Big Brother,” eliminations and alliances like “Survivor” and Olympic-level sports commentary.

In COVID, there’s been a lot more mindless TV, especially in beautiful locations. Kelly Slater’s Surfer Ranch is about half and half. His wave machine is an engineering marvel, but it’s still a ranch in the middle of farmland. And the competitors are sharing airstreams. It’s not that majestic.

For all the stupidity, “Bachelor in Paradise” knows what it is. “The Ultimate Surfer” is maybe a better follow than “Celebrity Dating Game,” which aired after Katie Thurston’s season of “The Bachelorette,” or at least they’re a better pairing, but viewers don’t know these people unless they follow surfing.

At the Olympics, we get commentary from experts that’s easy to follow, for teh most part. But many people watch the Olympics every time it’s available. But with surfing, it’s a small community, so the commentary and scoring didn’t make sense. The scores are out of 10 and are combined between the teammates, and after two episodes, I have no idea what the criteria is….besides not falling.

There are some “experts” coming in for challenges, but again, we don’t know who these people are because surfing isn’t popular in the U.S. Jesse Palmer is the host, and he’s got a small amount of fame (and is part of Bachelor nation), but that’s about it for notable people.

There are already alliances in the first episodes, but it’s difficult to be invested because we don’t know why these alliances are happening; the drama surrounding them was prior to the show and not explained beyond “I don’t like their energy.”

Will I keep watching? Probably not unless I’m wide awake and think the waves will soothe me to sleep. After all, they are engineered to be consistent; it could be like counting sheep.

Let’s talk about sex…and faith on ‘The Bachelorette’

“So let’s talk about sex.” The words that ruined a relationship, and opened up a heated conversation.

Who would’ve thought “The Bachelorette” was the show that could ignite all this?

But first, let’s back up. Hannah B. is this season’s “The Bachelorette,” the 15th season of the ABC reality dating competition.

She wasn’t what most people expected. The ex-beauty queen was more known for not talking in complete sentences than her sweetness.

She’s proven she’s a grown-ass woman with a voice of conviction, but I’m not sure anyone could’ve predicted what happened.

Viewers are always told, “It’s the most dramatic season yet.” It’s a little bit like the boy who cried wolf this far into the franchise’s tenure. This time, it was kind of true.

We were told the villain of the season was a new type. He came in the form of Luke P.

How was he a villain? Let’s allow his words to paint to a picture:

  • Luke S. wanted me to come here and tell you I think he’s here for the right reasons.
  • You are not going to mess this up!
  • I can understand a slip up, but with all of them?
  • Can I just cut you off for a second?

You get the idea.

Obviously, we can all agree that the show’s producers push people to extremes and that everything is highly edited. However, what Luke P. said on this show highlighted some horrible double standards, and brought faith into the conversation like never before.

Luke P. and Hannah B. say they are Christians. Before the season aired, they had Bible verses as part of their Instagram bios. Not that that means anything, per se, but just painting a picture.

Hannah would casually mention wanting to marry a man of faith, but she’s been the first Bachelorette to talk about it on a regular basis, in part because of Luke P.

His cross necklace was visible most of the time. His hometown visit featured a Bible study. He (almost) always claimed he loved Hannah, even saying in episode 2 that he was already falling for her, and said God had brought them together.

On the other side, Luke P. was unliked by all in the house for what was portrayed as manic emotions and lashing-out behavior. Boy, did Hannah get duped.

Cut to fantasy suite week, where yes, many contestants have sex. But not all, especially since it’s the only time they’re away from cameras.

Luke P.’s fantasy suite was aired last, but it’s unclear whether it was actually last or just shown that way.

And that’s when “let’s talk about sex” came in.

Yes, in the Christian faith, it is expected that you wait to be intimate until marriage. But just like many people eat shellfish or swear, not every Christian waits.

And viewers knew Hannah wasn’t a virgin, as she openly talked about sex when she competed on the Bachelor last season. So for Luke to be judgemental about this, after saying he fell in love with Hannah while watching her on TV, doesn’t make sense.

To top it off, he wasn’t a virgin either. So why is it that his come-to-Jesus moment (in the shower, by the way) made his lack of virginity OK and hers not?

Bachelorettes have been slut-shamed before (ex: Kaitlyn Bristowe), but Hannah’s Christian faith brought in another level.

Should we judge Christians at a higher standard? Some say yes, because they choose that faith moniker.

But faith is also about grace. Which Hannah personified in her “Jesus still loves me” catchphrase.

Admittedly, it’s frustrated to see Hannah get slut-shamed just because she also identifies as a Christian. The faith has taken enough hits in today’s society for many reasons, but this, to me, crosses a line.

Women can have sexual desire. It’s part of life. And Hannah was OK with having her desires shown on TV, which is refreshing.

When Hannah got angry at the contestants for fighting and not being honest, it’s because she wanted something real.

She gave grace to Luke P. time and time again, even when his actions weren’t admirable, and to Jed on tonight’s finale after he apologized for his lack of honesty about his past relationships.

Yes, she’s not perfect, a fact she willingly admits. But she wanted to find love, and boy did she try, pushing to have tough conversations even when she struggled to find “clarity.”

What I give producers credit for is at least having these conversations on camera.

My co-workers and I have had long, in-depth conversations about Luke and Hannah. We didn’t always agree, but in general, we believed:

  • Luke’s backpedaling was childish.
  • Luke showed no forgiveness nor learning from his time on the show.
  • Hannah speaks her mind.
  • The whole situation was overdone and irritating.

Now, Hannah…she is the Bachelorette. You know she’s going to date, kiss and possibly sleep with multiple guys. And that’s 100% her choice. It’s not just the nature of the show, it’s being a human.

Even as a person of faith, she can make her own decisions. How she works through her faith is HER CHOICE and HER PROCESS. And I appreciate how open she is about her process, struggles and all.

Now does it stink that the one confirmed person she slept with got eliminated after fantasy suites? Yes, because it doesn’t paint the best picture. But it’s still HER CHOICE. And she’s owning up to her decisions, which is more than most can say.

So let’s keep talking about sex. Because we all need grace … and Jesus still loves us.

My summer of binge-watching and catching up

Summer is the slow season for TV.

So what’s a TV blogger to do? Catch up and binge-watch. #ThanksNetflix

Here are some of the shows I’ve binged this summer, along with my binge, savor or skip verdict:

Parenthood

I’ve always heard people talk about this show — how sad it was, how poignant it was, how underrated it was.

So when I was in the mood for some sad TV to get some tears out, I started watching.

But I barely cried. I didn’t think it was that sad. But season 4, when Kristina (Monica Potter) goes through breast cancer treatment, got me. I was tearing up almost every episode.

Overall though, it seemed pretty average. I found some of the characters extremely annoying and unbearable to watch, but I still rooted for the Braverman family to stick together.

Verdict: Skip it

Episodes

While this Showtime show ran for 5 seasons, it’s only 41 episodes, so I watched the whole series in 2 days.

While I enjoyed watching Matt LeBlanc play a bit of a douchebag, a mix of real-life debauchery and Joey’s womanizing ways, it seemed like some plots were irrelevant.

Seasons 3 and 4 just plotted along without much punch; I couldn’t tell you most of the main plot points. Season 5 wraps up everything nicely, but almost too nicely.

Verdict: Binge it

Grace & Frankie

This is one of those shows that I missed when it came out, and then felt like I couldn’t catch up. Summer was the perfect time to catch up.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin really work as two women struggling to pick up the pieces after their marriages end, and then thrive in their 70s.

It’s pretty inspiring to watch these two thrive, even when they’re bickering with each other. And I find myself laughing almost every episode.

I don’t really need some of the secondary stories, such as Grace’s daughter’s divorce and Lisa Kudrow‘s appearance as a widow looking to get her house back from her stepkids (that 3-episode arc was just a major “Friends” fan service if you ask me).

At 13 30-minute episodes each season, they are easy to speed through, but now I’m bummed I don’t have new episodes to watch.

Verdict: Savor it

GLOW

Season 2 of this Netflix show holds up. I may say it’s better than season 1 because it has a more ensemble focus.

Yes, it’s a bit campy; it is a show about female wrestling in the 80s. But it also touches on women’s rights and sexual harassment in a subtle way.

Ruth’s (Allison Brie) meeting with a studio head and Debbie’s (Betty Gilpin) reaction to Ruth not sleeping with the exec resonates in the #MeToo era. It broke my heart to see a character act so nonchalant about a heinous act of power.

Verdict: Savor or binge it

Queer Eye

I saved the best for last. I’m obsessed along with numerous others.

I’ve fallen in love with the Fab Five. They seem like a fun, honest bunch of guys, and they seem to have a genuine interest in helping the heroes, the name they give the real people they help each episode.

I watched season 1 in May and season 2 the day it came out. I’ve already seen both seasons twice, and don’t be surprised if I start re-watching it once I finish this blog.

Verdict: Binge it (over and over)

Bonus

Because I’ve already seen “Queer Eye,” I may do a workout during my next watch through, following these guidelines:

  • Intro music: 30-second wallsit
  • Transition slide (day 1, etc.): 5 burpees
  • Fab Five on-camera interview: 10 situps
  • Antoni is delighted/disgusted by food: 10 lunges (per side)
  • Jonathan says YAS/queen/girl/honey: 5 pushups
  • Tan gives fashion advice: 20 jumping jacks
  • Karamo has a heart-to-heart with a hero: 10 tricep dips
  • Bobby says “this space”: 10 bicycles (per side)
  • Crying: 10 bridges
  • Swearing: 10 squats
  • Hugs/Kisses: 10 mountain climbers
  • The Reveal: 30-second football run
  • “They’ll feel better about themselves”: 10 Russian twists
  • Something gets thrown out: 30-second plank

Now that’s some quality TV watching.

Bachelor franchise falls to new lows with contestants, ‘The Proposal’

The Bachelor franchise has stooped to a new low, and it’s making everyone uncomfortable.

It’s one thing to hear about contestants who say or like questionable things, it’s another thing to watch a new series that is borderline-shameful in its concept, and it’s another thing, an awful thing, to have to watch a contestant who has an assault case attached to his name date the Bachelorette.

And it’s time for a re-evaluation.

With social media tracking our every move, it’s no wonder almost every season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette dirt comes out for at least one contestant.

With a pool of 20-30 people, one is bound to have liked a post they shouldn’t have on Instagram.

It takes 0.2 seconds to like a post, and it’ll last forever because that’s how the Internet works. And some contestants have learned that lesson the hard way.

Some, of course, don’t care. Last Bachelorette season, Lee wrote some racist Tweets, but he didn’t show much remorse when confronted. But this season, Garrett seems to care a little bit about his past actions of liking offensive Instagram posts, issuing an apology before the finale airs (where he’s predicted to be a frontrunner).

Social media actions are semi-forgivable. We all grow, we all change, and it’s a tiny thing, right? And liking something seems more forgiveable than writing by a hair.

It’s uncomfortable, for sure, but not unredeemable. But a contestant who was charged with assault is not.

When the news came out about Lincoln, a current contestant on the Bachelorette, it was shocking. And truly uncomfortable.

How are we supposed to watch this guy woo Becca when we know we was convicted in an indecent assault case, especially in the #MeToo era?

I couldn’t even think this guy was genuine from the beginning He cried over a broken picture in the second episode and he thinks the earth is flat. But now I’m really over it.

But what really bothers me is how this could’ve happened? These contestants are supposed to go through some extreme background and psychological checks, but somehow this case never made it to the team?

Seems impossible.

The Bachelor needs to start vetting people better, including an extensive historical social media check, just to be prepared for what may come out and give contestants a chance to defend themselves.

And also, no more stupid spinoffs. “Bachelor in Paradise” is bad enough (though it has an interesting set of proposals and weddings), but “The Proposal” truly hit a new low.

I watched the premiere Monday, and it was probably the worst hour of watching TV ever.

 

I don’t know where they picked these people, but it was cringey. The budget clearly on the low-end, though they someone found room to be able to CGI the suitor during his intro package.

The concept of going from never meeting to proposal in one hour TV time is insane. A proposal should never be competed for, but at least on the Bachelor/Bachelorette, you get to see some relationship growth. On “The Proposal” it’s like watching a poor-man’s Miss USA that ends in a proposal, with Bachelor-franchise ring designer Neil Lane, of course.

Now that they’ve pulled the second episode of the new show because of a sexual assualt accusation, can we really trust this team anymore?

The Bachelor franchise has always been a guilty pleasure, but now I feel just guilty watching it.

‘Under the Gunn’ tries to capture ‘Project Runway’ attention, but ultimately fails

This blog originally appeared on elkharttruth.com on April 17, 2014. The latest season of “Project Runway” premieres Aug. 17.

Spinoffs have become a huge part of TV culture, especially in the last year or two.

Whether it’s because it’s a way to capitalize on what’s already good or just a lack of original ideas, we are stuck with spinoffs.

One such spinoff is “Under the Gunn,” a Lifetime reality competition that’s a spinoff of the hit design show, “Project Runway,” hosted by Heidi Klum.

“Under the Gunn,” which aired its season finale April 10, was supposed to center around “Project Runway” mentor Tim Gunn, the beloved fashion instructor and mentor who is a big component of the success of “Project Runway.”

Many people voiced their excitement about the show on social media, mainly because it was all about Gunn.

But ultimately, that was not what “Under the Gunn” turned out to be.

Yes, it was a design competition. It had the usual drama, mess ups and down-to-the-wire moments. But Gunn didn’t mentor that much during the show’s 13-episode run.

Gunn served as a host and a mentor to the three true mentors of the show: Anya Ayoung-Chee, Mondo Guerra and Nick Verreos.

The trio of “Project Runway” alumni were the ones who actually mentored the contestants. They were the ones who walked around asking designing questions and pushing the designers to the next level.

The idea was that once all of one mentor’s contestants were eliminated, the mentor would be eliminated as well. But, predictably, each mentor was represented in the finale. The last four standing were: Asha Daniels (Mondo), Shan Keith Oliver (Anya), Sam Donovan (Mondo) and Oscar Garcia-Lopez (Nick), who was named the winner by judges Jen Rade, Rachel Roy and Zanna Roberts Rassi. Heidi Klum and actor Neil Patrick Harris were guest judges for the finale episode, which saw each designer complete a mini collection.

While viewers got to watch Anya, Mondo and Nick grow as mentors, I wanted to see Gunn mentoring more. That’s what he does on “Project Runway,” and that’s why people love him.

Gunn has a flair for mentoring. It’s his gift. He’s tough, but kind. He makes people question their work, he makes people laugh and he makes designers fulfill their potential.

His signature fashion, critiques and motto, “Make it work,” are what makes “Project Runway” so fun to watch.

And that was missing on “Under the Gunn.”

It’s not that Gunn was a bad host. It’s just this: He’s a better, more entertaining mentor.

SYTYCD vs. World of Dance: Which is better?

Don’t mess with what works. Or at least, not too much.

Jennifer Lopez brought her Fly Girl skills back to TV by starting the reality show “World of Dance” on NBC…12 years after “So You Think You Can Dance” premiered on Fox.

Let’s compare the two shows:

The host

SYTYCD’s Cat Deeley vs. WOD’s Jenna Dewan Tatum

Here’s the thing. Dewan Tatum actually is a dancer (“Step Up” forever!). Deeley is not. We’re talking zero experience.

Dewan Tatum acts as host and mentor on WOD as part of the show’s structure. She can give real feedback to the dancers.

But she’s a bit awkward as a host. She hasn’t gotten her footing yet. I fully believe she can, but her banter is more mechanical than natural right now.

Deeley may not know dance, but she has a natural flair for hosting. She has her lovable quotes (“Here are your…judges!”). And she banters well among the dancers, judges and audience.

Edge: SYTYCD

Judges

Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy and more vs. Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Derek Hough

Both sets of judges have a good amount of knowledge. Not all do; SYTYCD usually brings in a guest judge whose dance knowledge is hit or miss.

Murphy and Lythgoe have chemistry thanks to years of working together. I could take or leave Murphy and her Hot Tamale Train, but I know some viewers eat it up.

I appreciate the range WOD’s judges give. They have experience in more styles, I believe, than SYTYCD’s mainstays. But SYTYCD judges have more range in how they critique performances.

Edge: SYTYCD (ever so slightly)

Scoring

On SYTYCD, most of the scoring is based on viewer votes. In the beginning, the judges choose who goes home from the bottom three after they dance for their life.

On WOD, the judges score based on five categories for a score out of 100. The higher scoring dancer/group moves on.

As a dancer, I appreciate WOD’s method. On SYTYCD, many times a better dancer would get kicked off because they somehow didn’t get enough votes, which always frustrated me.

The scoring on WOD seems to be more fair because it’s more based on technique and ability.

Edge: WOD

I’ll give “World of Dance” credit, it’s definitely better than some other reality dance TV shows. In another season or two, as it gains its footing, I think it could be as good as “SYTYCD.” I’ll keep watching both for now.

“SYTYCD” airs Mondays, while “World of Dance” airs Tuesdays until Aug. 8, which is the first season finale.

Couch potato sometimes: How I workout while watching TV

Having a laugh during our TV workouts

Raise your hand if you hate working out.

Now raise your hand if you love watching TV.

Of course, I can’t actually see you, but I’m guessing many people would raise their hand on both accounts. I know I would.

Yes, working out is good for you, but I don’t get a runner’s high. I don’t even get a runner’s medium. I just know to stay in shape and to lose weight, I need to exercise.

But I also have little to no motivation, and no one to work out with. But last summer I discovered a “Bachelorette” workout, and I was in.

No, I don’t love the show, but it can be addicting to watch people try to fall in love…knowing they’ll probably break up within a year of the finale.

When I first tried the “Bachelorette” workout, it was tough. I was not prepared to do 100+ squats, 10 for every rose given out (it was early in the season). But by the end of the two hours, I was sweating…without feeling frustrated.

I did something I love (watch TV for an extended period of time) while doing something I need to do (exercise). And it worked.

After one or two weeks of this, I got two friends to join in with me. We’d meet after I got off work, set the workout list by the TV, and made sure to hold each other accountable for doing the exercises (and also questioned whether something counted or not…I mentioned it was tough, right?).

The “Bachelorette” workout we used

It was quite effective. One of the girls had no problems fitting into her wedding dress, and I lost some weight and gained some muscle. All around a win-win.

My TV workout buddies at the wedding

I started looking up other TV workouts, as I call them. BuzzFeed has a huge list, but I alter them to fit what I need or add to them for a more intense workout.

Alternatively, most shows (or even movies) have a drinking game associated with it. I altered a “Friday Night Lights” drinking game into a workout for watching the show. (Crunches for every time you saw a jersey did wonders for my abs.)

I will say the most effective TV workouts are for reality competition shows, like “Bachelorette,” “Dancing with the Stars,” or “Project Runway.” There’s more regularity to these shows because of their format, so you’ll get a more well-rounded workout.

On the flip side, you can always add to the workouts. I altered one for “Gilmore Girls,” and well effective some episodes, I wasn’t doing many exercises for other episodes. But my aforementioned group of friends has done one for “Drop Dead Diva,” and we’ve added a couple extra exercises as we’ve progressed in the show.

They say it’s not good to watch TV for hours on end. But if you workout for at least part of it, you’ve earned some quality couch potato time. At least in my book.

Summer TV: We need to talk about ABC’s Summer Fun and Games

Summer: the time when shorts and flip-flops are everywhere, sangria is a drink of choice and TV hits a lull.

But ABC is hitting advertising hard with it’s Summer Fun & Games lineup. And it’s out of control.

Another networks are airing new reality competition shows (See Fox‘s “Beat Shazam” and NBC‘s “World of Dance“), too, but ABC has a plethora of them.

Returning this season are “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The $100,000 Pyramid” and “To Tell the Truth.” Additionally, new shows “The Gong Show,” “Boy Band,” “Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME” and “Battle of the Network Stars” will also premiere in June.

That’s seven reality competition shows. In theory, that’s one for every day of the week, but only Sunday and Thursday evening programming will center around these shows.

Is this really necessary?

All types of shows premiere almost year-round these days. Typically new summer shows are lighter, more soap-opera-style or a competition show.

Admittedly yes, this lineup includes all lighter shows. But they’re probably not interesting.

Maybe ABC is going for nostalgia. After all, “100,000 Pyramid” and “To Tell the Truth” are re-launches, as is new show “The Gong Show.” And “Boy Band” seems like a rip off of “Making the Band” made to fill the void One Direction’s hiatus made.

But substance is lacking immensely in these shows. It’s all about catching attention, especially with all the celebrities that’ll be on the shows, but not really keeping it. Yes, you get celebrities acting silly, but who really cares?

I’m always surprised when competition shows last more than a season. Something about “American Idol” worked for a time, but these shows usually don’t have it.

“The Search for Elle Woods,” a competition focused on finding Broadway’s next “Legally Blonde” star, was one season. “The Glee Project” lasted for only two seasons. One Directioners may watch the new show “Boy Band,” but they’ll probably lose interest too.

I’ll stick to “Hollywood Game Night.” And the “Bachelorette”…for the workouts (another blog for another time)