'Idol' used to boost 'Mr. Personality'
By Lisa de Moraes
Washington Post
Once again, David E. Kelley has been thwarted by reality TV.
Foxflash.com
Fox has decided not to air the episode of Kelley's "Boston Public" that was originally scheduled for 7 tonight. It has been replaced by — you guessed it — a special episode of "American Idol."
Is it possible for a stockbroker named Hayley, center, to fall in love with a man based only on his personality? That's the gimmick on "Mr. Personality," the latest Fox date-rating show, premiering tonight.
"Special" here means no voting and no competing — just singing and recapping. Maybe the hour will be devoted to Ruben Studdard, whom it seems the judges already have picked to win. Imagine, Ruben in a Ford Mustang, Ruben drinking Coca-Cola, Ruben trying on Old Navy low-rider boot-cut jeans, Ruben on his Nokia calling home via AT&T. ...
The "American Idol" special is scheduled for today to lead in to the launch of Fox's new Monday reality show, "Mr. Personality."
In "Mr. Personality," one lucky gal will get to "date" 20 guys; the gimmick is, they will be wearing some kind of mask so she will have to judge them on personality alone.
These are apparently very special, magical masks that also make her unable to see the guys' abs, pecs and glutes.
(And don't you feel just terrible for the guy in Fox promos who whips off his mask to reveal his face? Of all the men who auditioned for the gig, Fox decided his was the most repulsive mug available. )
It appears from the decision to run an "American Idol" special right before the debut that Fox does not believe the addition of Monica Lewinsky as host of "Mr. Personality" is a sure ratings thing.
Fox is taking no chances after learning the hard way that Americans won't watch just any junk in their relationship reality hour, aka Mondays at 8; they'll only watch the good junk.
"Joe Millionaire" captured America's heart, averaging nearly 23 million viewers in that time period — more people than watched any night of the war on Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC combined. But "Married by America," which debuted in the same time slot after the final episode of "Joe," has averaged only 7 million viewers.
Fox will expand the half-hour Wednesday edition of "Idol" for the May sweeps, with one-hour broadcasts April 30 and May 14. The show's finale, May 21, the final night of the May sweeps and of the TV season, will be two hours long.
