Celebrity faces give 'reality' shows an edge against their competition
By Tracy L. Scott
Washington Post
When "Survivor" first appeared on network television, the participants were regular people — just like the viewers.
Richard Hatch, the winner of that first season's show, only gained a celebrity status after the show aired.
However, as the number of "reality" shows has increased, networks are looking for something to set their shows apart, according to David Stanley executive producer of several reality shows, including ABC's "Celebrity Mole."
The presence of famous personalities is becoming a common device for luring viewers.
"Celebrity Mole" and the WB's "Surreal Life" star well-known personalities such as Erik Estrada of "CHiPs," the NBA's Dennis Rodman and comedian Mark Curry of "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper."
"Celebrity Mole" returns for its third season at 9 p.m. tomorrow. The new season of "Surreal Life" begins Sunday.
Business tycoon Donald Trump has lent his name to NBC's new reality series "The Apprentice," premiering Thursday.
Fox's riches-to-rags reality show "The Simple Life" featured model Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, daughter of singer Lionel Richie.
"Cheers" alumni George Wendt and John Ratzenberger star in A&E's new "House of Dreams" and Travel channel's new "Made in America," respectively.
MTV has several shows that focus on celebrities. "The Osbournes" takes viewers into the lives of rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his family. "Newlyweds" looks into the new marriage of recording artists Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson and in "Making the Band" Sean Combs heads the process of turning musicians with raw talent into a polished group.
On Jan. 21, "'Til Death Do Us Part: Carmen and Dave" premieres on MTV. The show follows Carmen Electra and fiance Dave Navarro as they prepare for their "unconventional" nuptials.
Greg Johnson, executive producer of "The Osbournes" and "Newlyweds," said audiences tune in to see celebrities on reality shows to see stars in an environment other than the red carpet.
Viewers "want to know more about these people and see how they are when they're not at a normal celebrity event. It humanizes people they've only seen one layer of," Johnson said.
Stanley of "Celebrity Mole" said reality shows give viewers a chance to see entertainers in a different light.
Although it may seem viewers would feel a stronger connection to the non-celebrities on reality shows, Johnson said audiences feel a connection to the famous people as well.
Viewers "want to see if they're exactly like them. I think that's why people stick around and attach themselves" to these series. "There is a connection," Johnson said.
Stanley said using celebrities on reality shows is an asset because of "promotability" and because the participants "automatically come to the party with a character."
However, the majority of reality programs still rely on everyday people.
The second season of NBC's "Average Joe," premiered yesterday.
Discovery's "American Chopper," featuring the Teutels family that owns Orange County Choppers, returns for its second season Monday.
"Todd TV," in which cameras will follow a complete unknown as he carries out the daily duties of his life, premieres Jan. 21, on FX. Viewers are part of the show, deciding what Todd eats and wears, among other things.
This season's "Celebrity Mole" also includes interactive elements, as does Fox's "American Idol," returning Jan. 19.
Along with that viewer participation, Stanley and Johnson both suggest that the next step of the
reality evolution involves combining scripted and unscripted material.
"We made a step forward with 'Joe Schmo,' " said Stanley, referring to the Spike TV series in which an unsuspecting man participated in what he thought was a reality show.
However, the cast of characters were actors, and "Joe" was the only person not in on the joke.
"We combined scripted comedy with reality. We included actors. It really did create a new paradigm for reality," he said.
