According to the Boston Herald, the ABC Family Channel has decided to refocus on reality TV. Not only is ABC Family rerunning reality TV shows that previously aired on ABC, such as The Bachelorette and Celebrity Mole: Hawaii, but it is also creating at least three original reality TV programs
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Naturally, ABC/Disney defends this shift in values that these reality programs represent on a self-proclaimed "family" channel. "The word 'family' has taken on a wonderful and extended meaning that goes beyond just people you're related to,'' said ABC Family President Angela Shapiro, who previously pushed soap operas, another great "family" product, for ABC. "What we perceive as 'family' today is more about relationships and can include people like co-workers or roommates.''
Perhaps in your family, Angela...
Among the upcoming new programs in this reality TV surge are the following:
1. A second season (starting January 20th) for The Last Resort, which features couples at a Hawaiian resort that are on the verge of breaking up;
2. Perfect Match, a British import dating show which features a three-person team (a friend, a relative, and a professional matchmaker) who have to find a date for a contestant that will lead to a one-month cohabitation, which will air 13 one-hour episodes this season; and
3. My Life Is A Sitcom, which will premiere this Monday as part of the channel's self-proclaimed "Reality Monday" promotion. This show features a different family each week engaging in Osbournes-style antics. A panel of celebrity judges will pick the two funniest families, who will then each be required to perform a sitcom script before the ultimate winner is chosen.
Add these to the reruns and the already-aired "special edition" of The Bachelor, with added commentary by Aaron Buerge, and the network has come a long way from its origins as the Christian Broadcasting Network.