Our Summer of Reality

Here we are...

Welcome friends, we are in the middle of yet another week on the dry arid wasteland (aka Los Angeles) - hot enough for you? The weather is certainly delivering more sunshine and heat than one could have hoped and I will finally admit to being 'a little warm' in this pre-summer season.

Let The Season Begin.

While everyone is busy viewing the season ending episodes of the network ratings behemoths, America's Next Top Model, The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars (Congrats to Kristi Yamaguchi), and American Idol - I am simply too busy (Meaning, I refuse to make time) to sit down to watch regular television, when all of the 'great' entertainment is on the web (Gasp!).

Having said, we can all commend the networks for trailing into the Internet space with carefully selected clips (Rather than full-episode) - all we need are the highlights. However, the cable networks have the right idea and a clear vision of the inevitable future of distribution, as they are presenting a much better offering of original web based content AND complimentary full-episodes.

On The Web

Admittedly, I watch more shows on the web, than on regular television...As peculiar as this may sound, I am all about 'Control'. Oh, read this now networks and cable companies of America, I need to watch what I want, when it is convenient for my schedule!

What upwardly mobile person has time to sit around waiting for a scheduled program to air, and provide viewership at the same day and time for 13 weeks? Of course, the measure of convenience would simply be to just make the show available on the web and it will somehow, miraculously make my schedule.

Speaking of schedules...

The summer officially begins this week and we should look ahead with giddy excitement to this summer of reality - Alas, there are plenty of season ending episodes to watch from your lovely air conditioned (I hope) abode.

So as promised, let us proceed to the line-up (Again, you are encouraged to fax, email, and re-broadcast this list - I grant you temporary reprint rights):

• The Bachelorette 4 (ABC) May 19
  
• So You Think You Can Dance 4 (FOX) May 22
  
• Last Comic Standing 6 (NBC) May 22
  
• Bridezillas (WE), June 1
  
• The Next Food Network Star 4 (Food Network) June 1
  
• The Mole 3 (ABC) June 2
  
• Legally Blonde The Musical (MTV) June 2
  
• 30 Days (FX) June 3
  
• She’s Got the Look (TVLand) June 4
  
• Design Star 3 (HGTV) June 8
  
• Master of Dance (TLC) June 8
  
• Ice Road Truckers (History) June 8
  
• Nashville Star 6 (NBC) June 9
  
• Celebrity Circus (NBC) June 11
  
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (Bravo) June 12
  
• America’s Got Talent 3 (NBC) June 17
  
• Flipping Out (Bravo) June 17
  
• Baby Borrowers (NBC) June 25
  
• Shear Genius 2 (Bravo) June 25
  
• Dance Machine (ABC) June 27
  
• Greatest American Dog (CBS) July 10
  
• Big Brother 10 (CBS) July 13
  
• I Love Money (Vh1) July 13
  
• High School Musical: Get in the Picture (ABC) July 20
  
• Jingles (-Working Title) (CBS) July 27
  
• How to Look Good Naked (Lifetime) July (Re-scheduled)
  
• My Super Sweet 16 Presents: Exiled (MTV) August 25

So, there you have it - Your Summer Reality TV schedule for 2008. Some of the shows you know, by way of this what I would like to believe is an informative, entertaining, witty and insightful Blog. Rest assured, looking at the above list, we will have much to keep us talking for a long, long, long time this season.

As they say, Check your local listings....

*The image above is the cover of TV Guide Magazine featuring Dancing with Stars, provided by Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.