Flashback Friday-Undercover Boss (2010-2016)

Unless you walk a mile in another person’s shoes, it is impossible to understand their point of view.

Undercover Boss aired on CBS from 2010-2016. Based on the British series of the same name, the show follows either a company owner or a high-level manager as they go undercover as an entry-level employee. After a week of going undercover, the boss reveals who they really are. At the conclusion of the episode, changes to the company are put in place or individual employees are rewarded for their hard work.

What I like about this show is that it highlights how difficult work is and how important it is to be recognized for doing your job well. Granted, it is a reality show. But there is something to be said when employees are respected and appreciated for the work they do.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Flashback Friday-Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School (2007)

In the world of reality television shows, a spin off is common place. The question is, if the spin off, like any sequel is worthy of it’s predecessor?

In 2007, Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School premiered on VH1. A spin off of Flavor of Love, the show was hosted by Mo’Nique. The purpose of the program was to teach etiquette to the female contestants from the two seasons of Flavor of Love. The winner would walk away with $50,000 and the title of Charm School Queen.

I have to admit that I am a former reality show addict. I didn’t watch every show, but this one I did watch. Though it had some appeal at the time, at the end of the day, it was just another reality show.

Do I recommend it? Not really.

Flashback Friday- On the Road with Austin & Santino (2010)

The buddy travel genre has existed for decades in the world of scripted movies and television.

In 2010, the genre traveled to the world of reality television in the Project Runway spin off On the Road with Austin & Santino. Each episode follows former contestants Austin Scarlett and Santino Rice as they travel around the country and create a custom dress for the woman who is the subject of each episode.

This show only lasted one season and rightly so. It was mildly entertaining, but at the end of the day, it was not enough to warrant a second season.

Do I recommend it? Not really.

Flashback Friday-A Baby Story (1998-Present)

Having a baby is one of the most transformative events in one’s life.

For the last 21 years, TLC has been telling the stories of parents bringing their children into the world in A Baby Story. The show follows the parents in their last weeks of pregnancy, during the birth itself and the first few weeks the baby’s life.

As reality shows go, A Baby Story is one of the better ones. It’s one of those reality programs that can be binged on without feeling like brain cells have been destroyed.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-I Love New York (2007)

Finding that right person with whom we will hopefully spend our life with is a process that often can take years. The reality show genre has capitalized on this want by presenting dating shows to the audience.

I Love New York aired on VH1 in 2007. A spin-off of Flavor of Love, the show followed runner up Tiffany Pollard, known as New York as she starred in her own dating reality show. I Love New York followed the same format of any reality dating show. A group of men are chosen to pitch themselves as her future partner. One by one, they are all eliminated until one is chosen.

I’ve spoken in the past of my disdain for most reality shows. This one, I have to admit that I watched. Would I watch it again, if the show had another reason? Probably not.

Do I recommend it? No.

Throwback Thursday-Jersey Shore (2009-2012)

We all know that there is no “reality” in reality shows. They make look like they are made on the fly, but they are just as slickly produced as fictional television programs.

Jersey Shore (2009-2012) is one of tent poles of the recent MTV schedule. The show follows eight housemates of Italian descent as they live and work together during the summer in Seaside Heights in New Jersey.

There are few television shows that I hate with a passion. Jersey Shore is one of them. Not only is it trashy beyond trashy, it is a waste of brain cells and precious television time that I will never get back.

Do I recommend it? Let me put it this way. No is the gentler way of describing how much I dislike this television program.

A Very Brady Renovation Review

Fifty years ago, a little family show premiered. It told the story of the marriage of a widower, a widow, their combined family of six children and their maid. It was only on the air for five years, but this show is as iconic as it gets.

The show is The Brady Bunch.

Monday night, A Very Brady Renovation premiered on HGTV. Last summer, the house was used as the exterior shots The Brady Bunch was put on the market. Purchased by HGTV, the house is being renovated to match the set. Led by HGTV stars The Property Brothers and advised by the actors who played the Brady kids, each episode focuses on the renovation of a specific portion of the house. At the end of the season, the home will look like it came straight out of the Hollywood sound stage.

I really like this show. It is unique, entertaining and full of nostalgia with just enough of the home renovation process to easily ensnare home renovation show addicts.

I recommend it.

A Very Brady Renovation airs on Monday nights at 9pm on HGTV.

Flashback Friday-Chopped Grill Masters (2012-Present)

For many people, nothing say summer like cooking via the grill. That of course, leads to another off shoot of the Food Network show Chopped.

Chopped Grill Masters premiered in 2012. The premise and format of this program is similar to that of it’s predecessor. The only difference is that the contestants are all professional grillers and it is held outside as a posed to be filmed in a kitchen with professional chefs.

I like this show, as I do all of the various incarnations of Chopped. While it is a reality show in the strictest sense of the word, it’s fascinating to watch. The competition by itself is enough to keep the viewer hooked, but the process of watching these pros create a meal is the icing on the cake for me.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-Judge Judy (1996-Present)

It’s easy to tell a lie. It’s harder to tell the truth, especially if the person who needs to hear the truth does not want to hear it.

Judge Judy (1996-Present) has been on the air for nearly a quarter of a century. Judy Sheindlin is a real life retired New York City Judge. Coming before her are real life small claims conflicts. Held in what looks like a real court room, Judge Judy hears both sides before making her ruling.

Though Judge Judy falls within the reality show genre, it’s far from the brain drain that is most reality shows. Judge Judy is a no nonsense, tell it like it is Judge, who does does not bend because the cameras are on her. Using logic and reason, she makes judgments that may not appeal to everyone, but make sense, given the parameters of the case.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday-Extreme Couponing (2010-2012)

When going to the grocery store, having coupons on hand is a regular part of the shopping experience for many.

The subjects of the TLC reality show Extreme Couponing (2010-2012) took the idea of having coupons on hand while grocery shopping to another level. The premise of the show is that the subjects go to extreme measures via coupons to spend as little as possible at the grocery store. The highest point of drama came at the checkout counter, to see if the hard work of extreme couponing paid off.

I don’t know about this show. I certainly understand the concept of the program, but it feels almost like a television side show. We are watching the coupon freaks for the sake of our entertainment and their derision.

Do I recommend it? Not really.