'DWTS': Who Will Stay, Who Will Go?

April, 20, 2010 10:40 am | Comments On #Dancing With the Stars, Motion Picture and Television Fund, reality TV

"Dancing With the Stars" ... why do I watch this show?

I have not figured it out yet, so if anyone else does, please let me know. Not only do I watch it, for no apparent reason, I love it. We’re down to eight contestants, and it’s impossible to know who will stay, and who will go.

Brooke Burke: Finally! A dress that shows off her fabulous body, without making her chest appear to be lopsided. She looked really beautiful last night, and if she can just stop slouching, she will be golden.

Niecy Nash: Bless her for trying. How can you not love her? She is really funny, and the only one who appears to honestly be having a good time. She takes the dancing seriously, but appreciates that it’s a reality competition show, and is not pretending to be something she is not. She is not going to win, but I...

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Kate Gosselin Needs Some Chicken Soup for Her Soul

April, 18, 2010 10:22 pm | Comments On #Dancing With the Stars, Kate Gosselin

I am sick and tired of watching Kate Gosselin be miserable on "Dancing With the Stars." I wanted so much to like her on this show. She is fascinating, with beautiful kids, and after the past year, I wanted something good to happen for her.

But in the end, "DWTS" is the last place she should be.

That said, she is there, and so we need to help her. It’s not too late to turn it all around, Kate. You are doing the best you can, and we get it. You need to be happy, though, wweetie. I am sure you are sad, but it is translating into miserable on television, and that is not helping you.

I’ve had a change of heart about you Kate. I have been, on a completely different level, where you are. I got divorced when my son was a baby and it was hard. I remember when my ex-husband started dating, which was about 5 minutes after I left, and...

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Change My Mind, Ryan Seacrest!

April, 15, 2010 11:52 am | Comments On #American Idol, Ilana Angel, reality TV, Ryan Seacrest, Television

I wrote an honest, funny, yet somewhat snarky blog about Ryan Seacrest on Wednesday, and boy did I get some feedback!

Some people wrote to defend Seacrest, but overall people agreed with my take.

I asked the question: What is the appeal of Ryan Seacrest? No one could tell me. In fact, nobody even tried to answer the question. It would appear that there is no explanation as to why this man is so successful.

One person accused me of being harsh, a hater, a homophobe and just plain mean. Luckily, I live in America, and am allowed to not only have an opinion, but also voice it.

Ryan SeacrestRyan, perhaps I owe you and your fan(s), an explanation. My decision...

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Can Anyone Explain the Appeal of Ryan Seacrest?

April, 14, 2010 2:41 pm | Comments On #American Idol, Ilana Angel, Ryan Seacrest

I don’t know Ryan Seacrest. Have never met him, or even seen him around town. My knowledge of him, and perception of who he is, is based on what I see on the television, or hear on the radio.

Can anyone explain what the appeal is here? This man may have been charming in the beginning of his "American Idol" days, but there is no charm now.

Ryan SeacrestI think he is unappealing. His over-processed hair, over-whitened teeth and over-the-top denial of his sexual orientation are all unattractive.

He seems to think he is funny. Not only is he not funny, he is mean and offensive. He loves his own voice and laughs at his own jokes. The problem is, because he is not funny, he appears to laugh for no reason.

Ryan is paid...

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'DWTS': Brooke, Get a a New Dress; Kate, Go Home

April, 13, 2010 10:27 am | Comments On #Dancing With the Stars, Television

Just when you think there will be nothing interesting to talk about on "Dancing With the Stars," here comes the train wreck and there is so much to say I can hardly stand it.

Whoever is dressing Brooke Burke, you are putting her in the wrong dresses. Each week she looks lopsided, with her right boob clearly larger than the left. It is very distracting and I can’t believe she does not notice, and ask that it be corrected. Fix your boobs Brooke, not cute.

Erin Andrews: She’ insanely unappealing, and the lack of chemistry between her and Max is staggering. They were in People magazine this week, they are making the rounds on talk shows, where they say how great working together is. Whatever. She is annoying, he does not like her, and I’m not buying it.

Evan Lysacek: He’s going to the finals. He is a great dancer, and while...

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The Mean, Selfish, Manipulative, Immature, Ridiculous, Scary, 'Real Housewives of NYC'

April, 09, 2010 11:53 am | Comments On #Bethenny, Ilana Angel, Real Housewives of New York City, reality TV, Television

It is becoming increasingly difficult to watch "The Real Housewives of New York City." They are imploding, and while I love a reality television train wreck, this is more like a slow, painful death. It is uncomfortable to watch, and leaves you embarrassed for them, and for yourself that you watch.

What is fascinating about these ladies is that they seem to forget that we can see what they are doing. It is not a live show, ladies, and it is going to be edited.

Bravo’s job is to give us great television, not paint the housewives in the glow of sunshine.

They truly appear to be oblivious to the cameras, or the manipulation that is reality TV.

Bethenny Ramona Real HousewivesBethenny and Ramona are going for a...

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Please Go Home, Erin and Kate

April, 06, 2010 10:10 am | Comments On #Dancing With the Stars, Erin Andrews, Evan Lysacek, Kate Gosselin, Pamela Anderson, reality shows, Television

If someone had told me that one day I would look forward to Monday nights, so I could snuggle up on the couch, and watch two hours of ballroom dancing, I would tell them they were crazy. "Dancing With the Stars" is the number one show in America, and for good reason.

This show is fun to watch. It is old fashioned, family television that is never racy or offensive, although some of the ladies outfits would work very nicely on a pole. It is exciting to watch some of the couples get better each week, while others don’t improve at all, and a few are non-stop train wrecks.

Evan Lysacek: He is charming, and it turns out quite funny. I like him a little more each week, and think he is a good dancer. He’s not quite as graceful without his skates, but he’ll get there by the end. With his manners, and demeanor, he reminds me of...

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Reality TV Roundup: These People Are Unbelievable!

April, 05, 2010 12:31 pm | Comments On #Bethenny, Boston Rob, celebrity apprentice, Colby, Heroes vs. Villains, Ilana Angel, Real Housewives, reality TV, Rod Blagojevich, Russell, Survivor, Television

Russell Survivor Heroes vs. VillainsI don’t think anyone can say Russell is not the greatest player to ever tackle the game of "Survivor."

This man is brilliant. By brilliant, of course, I mean he is a lying, cheating snake. The only troubling thing about Russell is that I am oddly attracted to the little man.

Boston Rob was one of my favorite players, along with Rupert. I love these guys. They are endearing, and I became invested in them long before this season of "Heroes vs. Villains."

I wanted them both to win when they were on originally, but now it’s all about Russell. Rob went home this week, and Rupert has lost his magic.

...

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No One Does Reality TV Better Than Bravo

April, 01, 2010 1:10 pm | Comments On #Bravo, Ilana Angel, reality TV, Television

Someone asked me this morning what my favorite reality show was, and I couldn’t answer. I love so many of them that it’s hard to pick just one.

I was able to say however, with complete conviction, that when it comes to reality television, no one does it better than Bravo.

Kell on earth  Kelly Cutrone

I watch all of their reality shows. Some are good, some are great, and some are so bad that you simply can’t turn away.

Andy Cohen is a genius and I want to send him a message: Mr. Cohen, should you wake up one day and discover that you are in fact not gay, call me. I seriously love you, man.

Here is my take on some of the current shows of Bravo:

...

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No Passover Seder, but 'DWTS'

March, 30, 2010 10:47 am | Comments On #Dancing With the Stars, Television

Last night, as I was heading to my Seder, I wiped out on the stairs going to the car. I twisted my ankle badly, and still cannot believe how much it hurt, or how big the bruise on my bum is! I toppled down a full flight, in what felt like slow motion, and it was not graceful.

I was heartbroken to not make it to the Seder. Instead of celebrating with my fantastic Rabbi and friends, at our Temple Seder, I settled in for the night with a bottle of wine, a box of matzo, a bottle of ibuprofen, and the magic that is “Dancing With the Stars.”

Tom Bergeron is brilliant, and truly a master at live television. He is so fast on his feet, that it again begs the question, why has this man not won an Emmy? Stop with the Probst monopoly already. Jeff does not deserve an Emmy as host. Tom hosting live, trumps Jeff being edited.

As for Brooke Burke, she is a...

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Ilana Angel is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. She is author of the "Keeping the Faith" singles blog for the Los Angeles Jewish Journal. You can follow her at www.Twitter.com/ilanaangel.

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