A Look Back: The 2009 Reality TV Year In Review - July 2009

With 2009 drawing to a close, it's time to take a look back at the year that was.  The following is Reality TV World's 2009 Reality TV Year In Review, a 12-part, month-by-month review of some of the past year's reality TV headlines, highlights, lowlights, and milestones. 


Today we continue our 12-day countdown with the seventh installment: July 2009.

- CBS reveals Big Brother's eleventh-season cast and announces it will begin with a "high schools clique" twist. In addition, former Big Brother tenth-season cast member Jessie Godderz enters the eleventh-season house once the competition begins.

- Divorcing Jon & Kate Plus 8 star Jon Gosselin travels to the French Riviera with new girlfriend Hailey Glassman to launch a new clothing line with Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier -- whose representative denies the clothing line before Audigier confirms it is happening.

- Jon Gosselin accepts criticism for dating Glassman -- who is either dating him to "get famous" or "upset" about the resulting publicity, according to conflicting reports -- so soon after his separation from Kate. 


- Jon Gosselin denies a report that he's planning to propose to Glassman and also refutes rumors that he's dating Star reporter Kate Major, who was assigned to cover him for the magazine.  Jon also moves into his new New York City apartment as Kate puts her clothing line on hold.

- TLC announces Jon & Kate Plus 8 will return as previously announced in August, but will do so with no interview couch.

- Rejected The Bachelorette suitor Jake Pavelka claims that suitor Wes Hayden had a girlfriend during filming and the two of them are "in cahoots" on his appearance on the show to gain notoriety as a singer.

- Hayden's alleged girlfriend states she is "absolutely not" dating him, and he is eventually ousted by star Jillian Harris. Hayden subsequently denies he had a girlfriend while filming for the show and claims false editing.

- Discovery airs Pitchmen: A Tribute to Billy Mays and renews the reality series for a second season despite Mays' June death. Mays is also laid to rest in Pennsylvania.


- American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi marries longtime boyfriend Mike McCuddy in Maine.

- American Idol judge Paula Abdul reveals she's been "invited to stay" on the show's judging panel, however her manager states she might not be returning. In addition, Simon Cowell makes it clear he wants Abdul to return.

- The Biggest Loser couple Marty and Amy Wolff welcome a son.

- Reports that American Idol judge Simon Cowell is in talks to launch his U.K. The X Factor reality series in the U.S. surface and he calls a report that he signed a new $144 million contract to continue on Idol "absolute nonsense."

- American Idol host Ryan Seacrest signs a new $45 million, three-year deal to continue helming the show.


- Original Survivor winner Richard Hatch files a court motion requesting he be allowed to travel to Samoa to film Survivor's twentieth season, which his filing confirms will be an all-stars edition. A judge subsequently denies Hatch's request.

- Former The Hills star Lauren Conrad has her debut novel "L.A. Candy" reach No. 1 on The New York Times Best Sellers List.

- Marlo and Mark Corliss win Here Come the Newlyweds' second season.

- The future of new A&E reality series that was to follow Michael Jackson and his brothers becomes uncertain after the singer died last month at the age of 50.

- The Hills star Holly Montag reiterates she's not dating fellow former I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! participant Sanjaya Malakar but adds the two are "close."


- Reality television shows receive a record 63 Emmy Award nominations, led for the third consecutive year by ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

- A report that Bethenny Frankel is leaving The Real Housewives of New York City for own Bravo reality series surfaces.

- The Millionaire Matchmaker star Patti Stanger gets engaged to her longtime boyfriend.

- Former American Idol hopeful Alexis Cohen dies at age 25 when she is struck by a car in New Jersey. The vehicle's driver is subsequently charged in her death.

- Former reality television producer Ben Silverman announces he's leaving his position as NBC's programming chief for a new venture.


- The Bachelorette star Jillian Harris selects suitor Ed Swiderski during the show's final Rose Ceremony. He proposes marriage and she accepts, and the couple subsequently tells reporters that they'll wed within 12 months.

- Former The Celebrity Apprentice candidate and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! participant Stephen Baldwin files for bankruptcy.

- American Idol executive producer Ken Warwick signs a new deal to continue with the reality series.

- Former Hogan Knows Best co-stars Hulk and Linda Hogan reach a settlement in their acrimonious divorce.

Premieres: Great American Road Trip (7/7); Big Brother, Season 11 (7/9); Ghost Hunters International, Season 2 (7/9); Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design (7/11); Miami Social (7/14); HGTV Design Star, Season 4 (7/19); Dating in the Dark (7/20); Hell's Kitchen, Season 6 (7/21); The Colony (7/21); More to Love (7/28); The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Season 2 (7/30).






About The Author: Christopher Rocchio