Reality TV

American Idol : The List
The judges of ABC's "Duets" sing on stage in the season premiere: Like "The Voice," "Duets" pairs unknowns with celebrity mentors in weekly competitions.

The coming glut of American Idol ripoffs: A guide

As latest Idol winner Phillip Phillips picks confetti out of his hair, four new reality TV singing competitions are already gearing up to crown the next sensation

 
American Idol : Opinion Brief
Jennifer Holliday's guest performance on "American Idol" Thursday night is all anyone can talk about, but it wasn't her voice that made the lasting impression.

Jennifer Holliday and Jessica Sanchez's bizarre American Idol duet

The original Dreamgirls star joins the Idol runner-up on Wednesday's finale, and delivers a series of wild facial contortions hailed as both ludicrous and brilliant

 
American Idol : Opinion Brief
Underdog Jessica Sanchez is a pitch-perfect (if bland) belter, while frontrunner Phillip Phillips sometimes struggles to carry a tune.

American Idol finale: Should Jessica Sanchez win?

The teen belter was outshone by Philip Phillips, a handsome Dave Matthews sound-alike, on Tuesday. But the franchise desperately needs a female winner

 
American Idol : Opinion Brief
Joshua Ledet is comforted by a distraught Jennifer Lopez after being voted off during last night's "American Idol."

American Idol: Did Joshua Ledet deserve to get kicked off?

The throwback crooner was the judges' hands-down favorite, and some are complaining that the show's fans are biased towards white guys with guitars

 
Reality TV : Opinion Brief
Not usually one to tread softly, Howard Stern surprised critics Monday night with a more subdued judging style during the "America's Got Talent" season premiere.

Howard Stern's America's Got Talent debut: Was he too nice?

TV watchdog groups worried that the shock jock's crass humor would mar the family-friendly talent competition — but a jarringly warm personality emerged instead

 
Reality TV : Burning Question
As one of the new judges on "The X factor," wildcard Britney Spears will likely draw viewers who simply want to see how she handles herself professionally.

Will Britney Spears and Demi Lovato revitalize The X Factor?

The notoriously erratic pop supernova and the 19-year-old Disney Channel star will join Fox's singing competition next season as judges... for better or worse

 
Reality TV : Opinion Brief
Many critics still consider Juliet Simms the frontrunner on "The Voice," though Chris Mann's strong finale performance may help him overtake her.

Who should win The Voice?

After a rocker, an opera singer, a soulful crooner, and a former Mousketeer vie for the top prize in NBC's talent competition, critics lay bets on their favorites

 
American Idol : Opinion Brief
"American Idol" judges have tongue-bathed contestant Joshua Ledet, but his musical tastes may be too old-school to earn him a wide following.

Is Joshua Ledet really the best American Idol singer ever?

The show's judges showered the young contestant with unhinged praise after his Wednesday performance, and some Idol fans were turned off by the favoritism

 
American Idol : Opinion Brief
Ryan Seacrest just renewed his "American Idol" contract for a cool $15 million a year, which knocks him up to judge Jennifer Lopez's level.

American Idol: Is Ryan Seacrest worth $15 million a year?

Seacrest just signed a blockbuster contract to host the reality TV juggernaut for two more seasons, raising questions about his actual value

 
Reality TV : Instant Guide
The most recent bachelor Ben Flajnik: "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" producer Mike Fleiss once said his team is afraid to cast minorities because they would "feel guilty of tokenism."

The Bachelor's 'shocking' racial discrimination lawsuit: A guide

Two African-American men are filing a class action lawsuit against the producers of the ABC series for its longstanding failure to cast a non-white bachelor

 
Reality TV : Best Video
A bloodied Bear Grylls tries to survive the elements in Siberia on an episode of "Man vs. Wild," which has been canceled.

Bear Grylls' 6 craziest Man vs. Wild moments: A video roundup

As the Discovery Channel cancels the popular survivalist series, a look back at some stunts that really made audiences squirm

 
Reality TV : Analysis
In NBC's "Fashion Star," which debuts Tuesday night, Elle MacPherson hosts, while Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie mentor up-and-coming clothing designers.

Fashion Star: Another 'cheap Project Runway knockoff'?

In NBC's new reality series, Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, and Elle MacPherson challenge designers to make clothes that real people will wear

 
Reality TV : Opinion Brief
Britney Spears is reportedly demanding $20 million a year to join "The X Factor" as a judge.

Would Britney Spears make a worthwhile X Factor judge?

Simon Cowell is reportedly wooing the "Baby One More Time" singer to the Fox reality singing competition. Big mistake?

 
Reality TV : Opinion Brief
Kelly Clarkson and other music stars will join amateur singers in ABC's forthcoming talent realty show "Duets."

ABC's Duets: Another singing competition?

Overload alert: The alphabet net will launch its own American Idol rival this summer, pairing celebrities like Kelly Clarkson with amateurs hoping for a record contract

 
American Idol : Fact Sheet
"The Voice" judges, including Cee Lo Green, double as coaches which makes them more invested and critical of the show's performers.

4 reasons The Voice is blowing American Idol away

For 10 seasons, the Fox juggernaut has been dominating the airwaves. But now NBC's fledgling singing competition is proving more popular — and for good reason

 
Jersey Shore : Burning Question
Snooki and fiance Jionni Lavalle: The "Jersey Shore" star's surprise pregnancy puts the future of the hard-partying reality show in jeopardy.

Will Snooki's pregnancy kill Jersey Shore?

The mother-to-be will soon be trading messy tequila shots for messy diaper changes, and MTV's hard-partying hit may not survive her evolution

 

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