You're No Celebrity...Get Out Of Here!

While on the subject of the ridiculous, that brings us to the focus of today's entertainment (Well, yet to be determined) and a topic ripe for chastisement..."I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here".

Wait, Wait, I Know Celebrity and You're No Celebrity!
Over the past couple of weeks, you may have seen a new Reality Show of the before mentioned name by way of NBC. A few items to clarify to lend further context to this conversation: First, the show is a re-tread of British version, which was largely successful in the UK. Second, now how may I say this delicately - well, here goes: WHAT CELEBRITIES?!

Right...What celebrities? By and large, I agree with most programming decisions made by Ben Silverman (He's in touch). However as of late, there is a feeling of free fall happening over at NBC programming department. I could really unload several thoughts, but why start having fun...Let's take a closer look at this debacle (Oops, there I said too much). What I meant to write was a " True roller coaster ride of social experiment" - of course.

The show touts celebs (This term is way over used now) Sanjaya (Great hair/smile), Heidi & Spencer Pratt (I refer Spenci - thinking outside of the box), Janice Dickenson (Original Supermodel), the Baldwin brothers (Daniel and Stephen), Vh1's comedy duo Frangela, and few others.

If you have not seen the show (By far, this is NOT a recommendation), which had first debuted on ABC back in 2003, drops D-level celebs into the heart of the jungle (Or, as I like to call it, "The Universal Back Lot") airs Monday through Thursday.

Let the F-List Antics Commence
As you may be aware, I make it a point to view at least the first episode of every new Reality 'Malware' (Ah, I slipped) to at the very least remain topical and perhaps you may have been watching this bubble gum skein (Which really could have been a single 2 hour episode, rather than an entire series) of Fear Factor meets Big Brother meets Survivor collision (A pretty mess indeed).

Quite frankly, I could not even make it through the first (Or, so I believed) episode. My attention (Guaranteed only for 5 minutes) was largely deterred a number of times by a number of thoughts that were not even initially relevant, but somehow managed to become pressing immediacies.

Minor thoughts such as, "Gee, now is good time to get some laundry done - better get started", or "Wonder if I parked the cars in the garage - better go check", or "What jacket should I wear next weekend - better go try them all on", and finally, "Maybe I should add more to the agenda for tomorrow's meeting - I only have enough to keep them (The staff) deadlocked for 5 hours - better think of a few more" and so on...You get the idea...

• Total viewing Monday approximately 7 minutes. FAIL.
• Tuesday night, did not even attempt. Again, FAIL.
  

Obviously, I am having difficulty with maintaining interest in watching this program for some unknown reason and my TIVO is also equally as disinterested in recording the program (It simply does not even bother to record the show).

For some unknown reason, the show sounded more promising and according to an official announcement by friends at NBC, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" is the ultimate social experiment for charity as celebrities are dropped into the heart of the 'Costa Rican jungle' to face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills. The last remaining star will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle, winning a substantial cash prize for his or her favorite charity.

My initial reaction: Sounds good.

Although the show has been hugely popular around the world, NBC is attempting to revive 'Reality' and is quick to feature shows with F-List cast (I realize it's cheap entertainment and the faux celebs need to eat as well).

My concern was largely what is termed the "Millionaire" idea - over saturation of the show in Prime Time over a succession of nights is never a good strategy. It happened to the show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" a few years prior and it ultimately brought the show to an end on the network schedule. Have we not learned from past experience?

You Mean There Could Be More?
Furthermore, there is talk of a possible extension after the final episode airs on June 24. Ultimately, I say with great enthusiasm that you the viewing audience will decide whether the show continues (Read into this what you will:)