HOME > Reality TV News - March 2003
Reality TV News - March 2003
Another "American Idol" assault charge surfaces, Corey Clark also facing charges
March 31, 2003
The hits just keep on comin'.
'Joe Millionaire' pick Zora Andrich feted in New Jersey
March 31, 2003
So much for the old saying, "You can never go home again." Joe Millionaire winner Zora Andrich may not have ended up living happily ever after with her faux prince Evan Marriott, but at least her former hometown, Lambertville, New Jersey, still loves her.
Survivor: The Amazon - Episode 7 summary
March 29, 2003
Our episode summary for Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 7, entitled "Where the Chocolate Meets the Peanut Butter," authored by "FesterFan1" has been posted. Check it out by clicking HERE
'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Country Pop Edition"
March 28, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.
Iraqi service may await 'American Idol" finalist Josh Gracin
March 28, 2003
Reuters reports that the U.S. Marine Corps continue to deny that Josh Gracin, one of the nine remaining finalists on American Idol, is being given any special treatment by remaining stateside during the current American-led war against Iraq. As we reported previously, Josh's mother appears to be one of the people who believes otherwise.
MTV's 'Fratenity Life' prank may lead to real criminal charges
March 28, 2003
Uh ... who had the bright idea to spin off the show about the college guys?
'American Idol' finalist Lashundra Cobbins (aka Trenyce) has arrest record
March 28, 2003
American Idol 2: forget the past.
CBS begins accepting applications for 'Big Brother 4'
March 27, 2003
CBS has announced that applications are now being accepted for the fourth installment of the reality series "Big Brother," which will be broadcast during the summer of 2003. The series will again be produced by Oscar and Emmy Award winner Arnold Shapiro and his Emmy Award-winning partner Allison Grodner.
'American Idol' finalist Jaered Andrews tells Reality TV World his version of deadly assault evening?
March 27, 2003
In all of the articles about booted 24-year-old American Idol finalist Jaered Neale Andrews, which we have reported here, there, and everywhere, there has been no public comment forthcoming from Jaered Andrews himself. However, that may have changed after a recent exclusive post on the RealityTVWorld.com American Idol message boards.ABC pulls 'The Family' from the air, plans to relaunch it this summer
March 27, 2003
Reuters reports that ABC has announced that it has placed its George Hamilton-hosted reality show "The Family" on hiatus and canceled its new archeological adventure "Veritas: The Quest" series. Like most of the ABC lineup, both new shows have struggled in the ratings, and ABC said the spate of recent news preemptions and scheduling changes had made it too difficult to promote and build audiences for them.
Special Wednesday 'Survivor' broadcast wins time period ratings, tops 'American Idol' in common half-hour
March 27, 2003
A special Wednesday broadcast of "Survivor: The Amazon" on March 26th won its time period (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) in viewers, households, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54 and topped "America Idol" in viewers, households and adults 25-54 in the common half hour (8:30-9:00 PM) in which the two series went head-to-head, according to final Nielsen ratings.
CBS announces "Star Search" grand finale "do over" to air Wednesday, April 2nd
March 27, 2003
CBS has announced that it will broadcast the remaining categories from the previously interrupted "Star Search" finale during the premiere edition of the series third round of competition on Wednesday, April 2 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT tape delayed) on the CBS Television Network.
'Amercian Idol' host Ryan Seacrest to host syndicated talk show
March 26, 2003
The NY Post reports that according to The Hollywood Reporter, "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest, who already doubles as a successful Los Angeles DJ on Star 98.7, has inked a deal with Twentieth Television for a half-hour talk show. Although the talk show would be syndicated, although it's not known at this point if it would be targeted for a daytime or late-night audience, or when it would debut.
FOX's 'Junior Idol' version of 'American Idol' to premiere June 3rd
March 26, 2003
FOX has announced that the "American Idol Junior" program that we've previously reported on has been tentatively renamed "Junior Idol" and will premiere Tuesday, June 3rd at 8PM ET -- the same Tuesday time slot as the original series. Variety reports that "Junior Idol" will feature kids under 16 in a format similar, but not identical, to "American Idol." NBC has its own kiddie talent competition, "Most Talented Kid in America," premiering this week. Fox has ordered 10 hourlong episodes; it will be seen once a week.
Survivor: The Amazon - 'Gay Survivor Journal, Episode 6'
March 25, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted "Sexual Heat in the Amazon," the latest installment of his 'Gay Survivor Journal,' his weekly commentary about "Survivor: The Amazon" from a gay point of view.
Survivor: The Amazon - Episode 6 summary
March 23, 2003
Our episode summary for Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 6, entitled "Shockin...," authored by "TeamJoisey" has been posted. Check it out by clicking HERE
'Joe Millionaires's Zora Andrich and Evan Marriott break up
March 22, 2003
The Associated Press reports that the made-for-television fairy tale has ended for "Joe Millionaire" winner Zora Andrich. The 30-year-old former substitute teacher said it's over between her and Evan Marriott, star of the Fox reality-romance series. Marriott chose Andrich from 20 women competing for his affection who believed he was worth $50 million, when he was really a construction worker who earned $19,000 a year.
ABC reveals identities of the 25 women competing for 'Bachelor' Andrew Firestone
March 22, 2003
ABC has revealed the identies of 25 beautiful and intelligent women that Andrew Firestone, the star of the latest upcoming edition of "The Bachelor," will meet in his quest to find true love.
CBS to repeat Episode 6 on Sunday March 23rd for Mountain/Pacific viewers
March 22, 2003
Due to pre-emption due to CBS News' war coverage on Wednesday evening, CBS has announced that it will re-air the 6th episode of "Survivor: The Amazon" on Sunday, March 23rd for Mountain and Pacific time zone viewers. Below is CBS's revised primetime schedule for Sunday, March 23:
Monica Lewinsky to host Fox's 'Mr. Personality" series
March 22, 2003
It had to happen sooner or later. Since becoming notorious as U.S. President Bill Clinton's secret paramour, ex-White House intern Monica Lewinsky has tried just about everything else to make a few bucks from her celebrity, most recently designing handbags. Now she's turned to reality TV.ABC orders 'Bachelor'-'Joe Millionaire' reality series mix entitled 'Rich Guy, Poor Guy'
March 21, 2003
Variety reports that ABC has ordered seven episodes of "The Bachelor" creator Mike Fleiss' latest series idea -- "Rich Guy, Poor Guy," a one-hour unscripted relationship series in which two single men will try to find love from a pool of women, not unlike "The Bachelor."
Survivor: The Amazon - 'Gay Survivor Journal, Episode 5'
March 19, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted "Unfair Matchups: Swimsuit Model vs. Rocket Scientist," the latest installment of his 'Gay Survivor Journal,' his weekly commentary about "Survivor: The Amazon" from a gay point of view.
Yahoo! Platinum service to offer additional 'Survivor' and 'American Idol' episode footage
March 18, 2003
Yahoo! Inc. has unveiled its newest subscription service, Yahoo! Platinum, a premium online video and audio service featuring branded programming from leading entertainment, sports and news providers for both broadband and narrowband consumers. The new subscription service provides premium video and audio content from CBS’ SURVIVOR INSIDER, FOX’s "American Idol", NASCAR.com, CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship through its Internet rights holder SportsLine.com, ABC News, CBS MarketWatch, and The Weather Channel among other providers.
'American Idol' finalist Jaered Andrews remanded for trial
March 18, 2003
In our previous story about the arrest of 25-year-old Jaered Andrews, a finalist on American Idol who was abruptly kicked off the show, apparently due to his role in a beating death, we noted that Jaered had a pre-trial hearing coming up on March 7. The Associated Press reports that the judge was apparently no more sympathetic to Jaered's case than the producers of American Idol were, because Jaered was ordered to stand trial on assault charges.
ABC's 'All American Girl' premiere bombs in ratings
March 16, 2003
Variety reports that "All American Girl" was an all-American disappointment for ABC, debuting to season lows in its special two-hour time slot Wednesday night. The premiere of "All American Girl" posted a 3.0 rating and 8 share among adults 18-49, far below what time-slot predecessors "The Bachelorette," "Celebrity Mole" and even "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here" were doing on recent Wednesdays.
'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal - "The Movie Themes Edition"
March 15, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted the latest installment of his weekly 'American Idol' Gay Idol Journal diva rant, an exclusive to the RealityTVWorld American Idol message boards.BBC to remake FOX's 'Murder in Small Town X'
March 15, 2003
According to the Guardian, the BBC will launch a new reality show, The Murder Game, which will begin in the next few weeks. The Murder Game is a reworking of the 2001 flop Fox reality/mystery series Murder in Small Town X and will feature 10 amateur sleuths competing for a first prize of 25,000 pounds while trying to stave off elimination by the killer.
Howard Stern sues ABC's 'Are You Hot?' for copying
March 15, 2003
Pity poor ABC. For the second time in 2003, it is being sued for stealing someone's else ideas for a reality show. This time, according to the Associated Press, the party suing is Howard Stern, the king of radio "shock jocks." Stern claims that the ABC show Are You Hot? is "a blatant rip-off" of a segment of Stern's show called "The Evaluators."
ABC orders another edition of 'Celebrity Mole'
March 14, 2003
Variety reports that ABC has ordered another seven episode edition of "Celebrity Mole," with casting set to begin immediately and the series targeted for either a summer or fall premiere. Ahmad Rashad is expected to return as host. ABC reality guru Andrea Wong said she's "thrilled the show's coming back." "It was a huge success for us in its last run and performed fantastically well in the time period."
Survivor: The Amazon - Episode 5 summary
March 14, 2003
Our episode summary for Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 5, entitled "What Would Penny Do?," authored by "TechNoir" has been posted. Check it out by clicking HERE
Style expert Steven Cojocaru to give 'American Idol' finalists an Old Navy makeover
March 12, 2003
Well apparently those Family Feud parody commercials with the original "Anerican Idol" finalists weren't bad enough... FOX today announced that Steven Cojocaru, West Coast Style Editor for People Magazine and style correspondent for the Today Show and Access Hollywood, will team up with "American Idol 2" sponsor Old Navy to give the finalists a new look for an in-show segment to air Tuesday, March 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET Live/PT Tape Delayed) on FOX.
Kelly Osbourne buying a house, moving out of Osbourne family home
March 12, 2003
The New York Post reports that 19-year-old Kelly Osbourne has reportedly bought a multi-million dollar house in her parents' posh neighborhood and plans to move in next month once filming of the third and final season "The Osbournes" concludes.
Episode 4 of 'Survivor: The Amazon' tops ratings, ranks as the #1 most watched TV program of the week
March 12, 2003
CBS has announced that for the week ending March 9th, it swept all programming categories -- reality, drama, new magazines and comedy -- in winning the week in viewers, households and adults 35-54. Four of the Top Ten most watched programs aired on CBS, starting with the #1 most watched program of the week -- Episode 4 of "Survivor: The Amazon!"
'Millionaire' Evan Marriott & 'Bachelorette' Trista Rehn to appear in KFC chicken commercials
March 11, 2003
KFC has announced that "Joe Millionaire" Evan Marriott and "Bachelorette" Trista Rehn have been selected to join existing pitchman Jason Alexander in two upcoming television commercial spots hawking KFC Boneless Wings.'Survivor', 'American Idol' dominate March 3-9 Nielsen ratings
March 11, 2003
So much for those people who hoped that reality TV was reaching overkill. The Associated Press reports that three of the top four shows in the Nielsen ratings book during the March 3-9 week were reality shows.
Raleigh, NC FOX station pulls "demeaning" 'Marriage In America' series from the air
March 11, 2003
The Herald Sun reports that WRAZ-50, the local FOX affiliate in Raleigh, NC announced on Monday that it will no longer air FOX's "Married In America" reality TV show. Station managers said the show "demeans and exploits the institution of marriage." The program follows singles Jennifer Jaynes, Jill Marie Nicolini, Matt Arden, Billie Jeanne Houle and Stephen Savona as they let American TV viewers choose their fiancés and fiancées.
MTV & Roxy's 'Surf Girls' to premiere May 12th at 10:30PM
March 10, 2003
Variety reports that "Surf Girls," a new weekly, 30-minute reality project that we reported on earlier, will premiere May 12, 2003 at 10:30PM.
2003 Blowie Awards open for nominations
March 9, 2003
RealityTVWorld.com today announced the opening of the nomination period for the 2003 Blowie Awards. Now in their second year, the Blowie Awards are annually awarded to outstanding performances and situations in reality television programming. The twenty two Blowie Award categories range from serious to frivolous; in addition to awards for outstanding accomplishments, there are also awards for worst mistakes and a heavy serving of humor in some of the lesser categories.
Survivor: The Amazon - Episode 4 summary
March 9, 2003
Our episode summary for Survivor: The Amazon, Episode 4, entitled "How to Lose a Person's Respect in 10-12 Days," authored by "dajaki" has been posted. Check it out by clicking HERE
Survivor: The Amazon - 'Gay Survivor Journal, Episode 4'
March 7, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted "Beauty is Deceitful," the latest installment of his 'Gay Survivor Journal,' his weekly commentary about "Survivor: The Amazon" from a gay point of view.Politicians jump on anti-'Beverly Hillbillies' bandwagon
March 7, 2003
The search for an open mike and free face time on the nightly news has led two more politicians to emulate Georgia Senator Zell Miller by blasting CBS's planned reality-TV update of The Beverly Hillbillies.
USA's 'Nashville Star' begins filming, first episode to premiere Saturday, March 8th
March 7, 2003
Back in October, we reported that the USA Network was casting for a new reality/talent show, sort of a country-and-western hybrid between The Real World and American Idol. Today, the Associated Press reports that the performers-houseguests moved into their new lodgings, on Music Row in Nashville, on Wednesday. For the next nine weeks, the twelve contestants will be voted out of the house until only one is left; the winner may then become a Nashville Star.
Junior Kiddie version of 'American Idol' planned
March 7, 2003
Remember Shirley Temple? Would she stand a chance in front of Simon Cowell? We may get our chance to find out this summer. Variety reports that Fox has greenlighted a version of American Idol featuring child singers between ages 6 and 12 for this summer's TV schedule.
'Married By America' suitor turns out to be already married, gets disqualified
March 7, 2003
What, you mean you have to actually BE SINGLE to be able to appear on FOX's "Married By America" as a suitor who's willing to get married?? Who'd a thunk it -- apparently not the female suitor identified only as "Denise L." The NY Post reports that "Denise L.", a "suitor" on the program, has turned out to married but separated from her husband, thus breaking the show's rules of eligibility. Not that a formal divorce would help matters, since according to the rules all suitors must be single and never married.
Former 'Amercian Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman to judge 'Regis & Kelly' competition
March 6, 2003
Well gee, with "other opportunities" like this available to him, it's clear why Brian Dunkleman claims he opted not to return for "American Idol 2."
BREAKING NEWS: Tonight's 'Survivor' episode to be delayed due to presidential speech
March 6, 2003
President Bush has announced that he will hold a news conference tonight at 8PM ET. CBS has announced that their entire primetime line-up (SURVIVOR: THE AMAZON, CSI, WITHOUT A TRACE) will air in its entirety immediately following the speech.
'Survivor: The Amazon' Episode 4 'State of the Spoiling'
March 6, 2003
Our 'State of the Spoiling' summary for the the 4th episode of 'Survivor: The Amazon' is now posted, click here to read it.NBC's 'Second Chance: America’s Most Talented Senior' announces casting calls
March 5, 2003
NBC has announced that starting on March 11th, the network's new reality series “Second Chance: America’s Most Talented Senior” will embark on a tour of the United States in search of talent ages 50 and up. The series will premiere later this season on NBC.
ABC to air 'The Bachelor: Where Are They Now' special on March 19th
March 5, 2003
Remember Christi, who couldn't stop crying over Aaron? And Shannon, who turned to stone when Alex told her goodbye? And what about Bob and Jamie, two well-liked guys who didn't win Trista's heart? ABC will give you a chance to find out how their lives have changed and what it was really like to go through their television dating experience when the network airs "The Bachelor: Where Are They Now," special on Wednesday, March 19th at 9PM ET.
'Married In America' premieres to lukewarm ratings
March 5, 2003
Variety reports that viewers weren't exactly ecstatic for the "Married By America" series opener. The two-hour premiere netted a third-place 4.1 rating/10 share in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic.
Names and photos of 'Married By America' suitors released
March 4, 2003
FOX has released the names and photos of the twenty five suitors who will be hoping to get selected by America to marry the five "Married By America" singles appearing upon the reality series. There are ten women and fifteen men to match the two male and three female singles who've agreed to get married.
Survivor: The Amazon - 'Gay Survivor Journal, Episode 3'
March 4, 2003
Larry Johnson, a comedy writer currently working for Disney TV, has posted "Blurred Nipples = Ratings Bonanza!," the latest installment of his 'Gay Survivor Journal,' his weekly commentary about "Survivor: The Amazon" from a gay point of view.
'American Idol' finalist Jaered Andrews arrested, charged with assault
March 4, 2003
Sometimes a good cover story can hide the truth for a while, but it usually comes out eventually. Back on February 1, we reported that American Idol finalist Jaered Andrews had been disqualified from the show because Fox learned about his former membership in a professional hip-hop group, Ordinary Peoples from Youngstown, Ohio. Turns out that the truth was more sinister.
NBC announces casting calls for 'Race To The Altar' reality series
March 3, 2003
NBC has announced that casting directors are hitting the road in March in search of engaged couples who would like to participate in NBC’s new reality series, “Race to the Altar.”ABC announces family and staff profiles for new 'The Family' reality series
March 3, 2003
ABC has announced the profiles for both the family members and the staff of its upcoming new "The Family" reality series. The nine episode reality series will premiere Tuesday, March 4th at 10PM ET. In it ten related contestants will compete against each other for a one million dollar fortune. Family and staff profiles follow below:ABC announces 'The Family' reality series gameplay details
March 3, 2003
The choice is blood or money when members of a competitive, extended family battle one another for a million-dollar fortune on the nine-episode series, "The Family." For the first time ever, relatives are competing against each other on a reality show.
ABC announces Firestone tire company heir Andrew Firestone as star of next 'The Bachelor' series
March 3, 2003
ABC formally announced on "Good Morning America" this morning that the star of the next "The Bachelor" series will be 27-year-old Andrew Firestone, the great-grandson of the tire entrepreneur Harvey Firestone. He'll be in the driver's seat when the newest run of "The Bachelor" debuts on March 26. Firestone says he doesn't have trouble meeting women, but in the past his wealth has drawn women who were after him for his money, he said.
