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Reality check: February a busy month in reality TV
Friday, February 01, 2008

With the Hollywood writers' strike still going on, it seems every month brings a whole new batch of reality TV shows to the airwaves, February included. Get ready to set those TiVos -- here's a list of what's coming up this month on network and cable TV.

• "Paradise Hotel," Feb. 4, 9 p.m., MyNetworkTV and 1 a.m., Fox Reality Channel

This racy show moves 11 singles into a resort, where they play, hook up, drink and cause drama while competing for a cash prize. Like the first season, which aired during the summer of 2003, the season two contestants will partner with a member of the opposite sex to share a room, with the outcast being eliminated. Unlike last season, where home viewers were voted into "Paradise Hotel," this time around, producers will pick the replacement guests. The show will air just once a week. "Paradise Hotel" is already marred with a sad story, though. According to police documents obtained by Reality TV World, 26-year-old Nathan Clutter, one of the show's singles, died of an apparent suicide last October.

• "Survivor: Micronesia -- Fans vs. Favorites," Feb. 7, 8 p.m. CBS.

On season 16 of CBS's flagship reality show, die-hard "Survivor" fans will compete against some of the series' greatest contestants. I have to root for Connecticut contestant Cirie, 27, who finished fourth on "Survivor: Panama -- Exile Island." The Norwalk resident and nurse is the clinical coordinator for Norwalk Hospital's operating room. I'm also a fan of the ever-popular Yau-Man, who finished fourth on "Survivor: Fiji." The 55-year-old computer engineer from Martinez, Calif., is a fair, but fierce, competitor. Finally, I'll be cheering for the contestant everyone loves to hate, Jonny Fairplay. The 33-year-old who finished third on "Survivor: Pearl Islands" bills himself as a "professional wrestler/reality star," but how long will the prankster who faked his grandmother's death to advance in the game last?

• "America's Best Dance Crew," Feb. 7, 10 p.m., MTV.

"American Idol" judge Randy Jackson has teamed up with MTV to search for the country's hottest dance crews. Twelve groups will dance off, and only eight groups will make it to the second round. Week after week, viewers will vote on their favorite groups, eventually picking a winning team that will receive a cash prize and touring contract. Randy will share hosting duties with Mario Lopez of "Saved By the Bell" and "Dancing with the Stars" fame. 'N Sync's J.C. Chasez and hip-hop choreographer Shane Sparks will judge.

• "Flavor of Love 3," Feb. 11, 9 p.m., VH1

Celebreality superstar Flavor Flav is back for round three in his quest for love on VH1. Twenty new honeys will move into a mansion with Flav and compete for his affections. According to VH1.com, "The woman he's looking for this time around will be a woman of sophistication who can keep up with his high-profile lifestyle." I find this hard to believe, since the word "sophisticated" isn't something I normally associate with "Flavor of Love." After peeking at the show's casting site -- flavoroflovecasting.com -- all I can say is bring on the classy ladies, VH1.

• "Big Brother 9," Feb. 12, 9 p.m., CBS

Most details are still under wraps about CBS's ninth installment of the series that places 14 strangers in a house loaded with cameras for all the voyeuristic reality TV fans of America to see. On "Big Brother," each week, HouseGuests vote each other out one by one, until a jury made up of half the roommates picks one $500,000 winner. It's certainly going to be strange watching "Big Brother" in the winter, as it's been a summertime staple. The show will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m., and Wednesdays and Sundays at 8 p.m.

Showtime 2 will again air "Big Brother: After Dark." This uncensored look into the house will air daily from midnight to 3 a.m., meaning 9 p.m. to midnight Pacific time where the house guests live.

• "The Pussycat Dolls Present Girlicious," Feb. 18, 9 p.m., the CW

The Pussycat Dolls are on the prowl for another singer/dancer to join the successful group in season two. Group founder and choreographer Robin Antin will again be joined by fellow judges, Geffen Records Chairman Ron Fair and Grammy Award rapper Lil' Kim. The nine aspiring Dolls will dance, sing and hopefully claw their way to the top, just like last season's winner, Asia, who wound up going solo. Also, Robin's super dramatic brother, Jonathan, of Bravo's "Blow Out," will give sexy hair makeovers on the show. Now he's reason enough to watch.

• "America's Next Top Model," Feb. 20, 8 p.m., the CW

Get ready to hit the catwalk with Tyra Banks for cycle 10 of "America's Next Top Model." Ranging in age from 18 to 24, 14 aspiring models will compete for a $100,000 CoverGirl contract, a deal with Elite Model Management and a fashion spread in Seventeen magazine. This season, Paulina Porizkova will replace Twiggy as a judge. Look out for returning contestant, Marvita, who was a semifinalist last season.

Coming up

"Oprah's Big Give," March 2, 9 p.m., ABC.

"When Women Rule the World," March 3, 8 p.m., Fox.

"Dancing with the Stars" season five, March 17, ABC. (The show will air Mondays at 8 p.m. and Tuesdays at 9 p.m.)

"Top Chef" season 4, March 19, 10 p.m., Bravo.

"Keeping up with the Kardashians," March, E!

"The Bachelor" season 12, March, ABC.

"Hell's Kitchen," April 1, 9 p.m., Fox.

"The Real World: Hollywood," May 21, 9 p.m., MTV.

First published on February 1, 2008 at 11:59 am
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