The Charms of Being Charming

This past weekend, VH1's Charm School finale captured just over 4 million viewers - the third highest rated series ever for VH1.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, VH1 had comparable audiences with Flavor of Love 2 season finale at 8 million viewers and nearly 5 million for the final episode of I Love New York....Amazing.

As stated in previous writings, I am quite fond of VH1 and they have an incredible knack with spin-offs and this particular franchise produced by Cris Abrego and Mark Cronin (51 Minds(less) Entertainment) has experienced unprecedented success.

Let's see....First there was the Surreal Life, then Flavor of Love, Flavor of Love 2, I Love New York, Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School, and I Love New York 2. Basically, a whole lot of 'Flavor'.

Undoubtedly, the shows are noticeable juggernauts in the ratings.

The Train Wreck Gone Terribly Wrong
Just as the tournaments in the ancient Roman coliseum and the sordid topic of the 1970's movie "NETWORK", viewers tune in to watch the bombastic 'cartoonish' characters that do and say over-the-top and even obviously ridiculous antics. Of course, the viewers enjoy laughing AT the participants, NOT with them....

So what does that say about us and what does it mean? Apparently, we like slap-stick nicknames and unabashed buffoonery.

An Elaborate Talent Competition

Flavor Flav (aka William Drayton) promised the female 'contestants' that they were auditioning for a talent show - not so much a dating show (Oh, that's nothing more than a clever rouse). So more than likely, Flav knew about the never ending spin-offs and rightfully has an invested/compensatory financial interest in the perpetuity of the franchise.

An enthusiastic fan wrote: We need an I Love New York Men: Charm School. Ah, there you have it, another possible idea for my friends at VH1 - Flav are you reading this or what?

More importantly, we very well may see a number of similar programs on air about the subject of 'reform', including Ladette to Lady (Already airing on the Sundance Channel) and soon there will be Don Trump's interpretation/version of the show, Lady or a Tramp.

Lady or a Tramp is "a reality-competition series in which girls in love with the party life will be sent to a charm school where they will receive a stern course on debutante manners," says Variety.

Trump will be the Executive Producer of the show and may possibly appear on the show to evaluate contestants’ progress...I know someone who may have a few things to say about this idea and she recently left a popular morning show to audition for the Price Is Right...

Really, everyone in my circle is a "Reformed" something or other and it did not happen as a result of rehabilitation or finishing school - Quite frankly, the charming part happened gradually over time and it was simply called "Growing up".

Summer of Celebreality

Although we are just a few weeks away from the official start of the summer season, we can look forward to a plethora of celebrities we have not seen for a number of years making a return to the small screen.

Career Revival
As I always say, "Television is where it's at - it's the steady gig and no matter who you are, everyone wants to be on TV." Nothing can revive an ailing career like a steady gig on TV - You will see exactly what I mean and after this summer, you will be a believer.

Welcome to Celebreality. You know those beloved shows that feature your favorite celebs of the past, now competing for something (Dancing/Skating with the Stars, Surreal Life, et al).

Unlike the interchangeable casts of the competition shows before mentioned, your new selection of shows actually contain plots and storylines around the central character.

For example, Flavor of Love was good example of a celebrity starring in a show with a purpose of trying to find a compatible (-?) companion. The viewing audience tuned in each week to watch the outrageous experience and it was VH1's highest rated show for a number of weeks. I credit Cris, Mark and Ben at 51 Minds(less) Entertainment for the success of the program and of course for William Drayton (aka Flavor Flav) for this great faux talent competition.

The good news is that you don't have to wonder any more about what happened to your favorite stars of the 80's - this is a summer filled with many new treats:

• Kirstie Alley stars in a new show called, Write & Wrong (Lifetime) about an aspiring Hollywood writer. This is not a really a reality show, per se, but it is along the same line.
  
• Scott Baio (45 and Single) and Bret Michaels (Rock of Love), will star in new Celebreality dating shows on (VH1) which are about helping the 80's "Chachi" and pop metal band Poison frontman find date(s). I guess Flavor Flav and his minions of brilliant spin-offs are finally reaching an end?
  
• Paula Abdul will star in the greatly anticipated Hey Paula! (BRAVO) and speaking of the network, they are also scheduling a third season of comedian Kathy Griffin's show My Life on the D-list.
  
• Remember The Lost Boys, the two Coreys? The Two Coreys, featuring former troubled-teen '80s pinup boys Corey Haim and Corey Feldman living together. Last I checked, they are both now in their late 30's and either one or both were with wife and children. I have a great title for the show, "Still Lost"- I better call A&E.
  
• Former tennis pro Mark Philippoussis will be attempting to date twenty and forty something "kittens and cougars" in a new network dating show called Age of Love (NBC). Just when you thought there was no one left to date. Funny thing, my business partner says no more dating shows, but they are still selling - go figure...
  
• NBA basketball star Shaquille O'Neal's Shaq's Big Challenge (ABC), a fitness show that will attempt to get obese middle-schoolers to give up soda pop and chips to slim down. Kids...
  
• For car racing enthusiasts, there will be a new driving competition Fast Cars and Superstars with William Shatner (ABC). What, no Spock?! Lieutenant Uhura would win anyway.

What's The Appeal?
Comedian Kathy Griffin says, "I think people just like seeing celebrities being humiliated. There's something juicy about watching celebrities who are out of control, not very bright and unbelievably self-centered."

One enthusiastic reader wrote, "It's a train wreck that people love to watch." That really says it all...

Nonetheless, Celebreality shows are easy and inexpensive to produce. In the long run, the shows provide a great marketing vehicle that always coincides with whatever projects the celebrity may have in addition to a much needed jump in the 'ol career. So, when all is said and done the show can provide recognition and some level of resuscitated longevity. This should be good fun.