And they said it wouldn't last. Just when you thought reality television shows were on the way out, the networks are gearing up to release a new slew of Survivor wannabees.
Since I seem to have a strange addiction to the genre, I thought I'd tell you a little bit about what's on the way.
But first, the returning favorites:
Fox has ordered a second season of the wildly popular Temptation Island (which should come as a shock to no one) while ABC will unmask The Mole II this fall.
Both shows ended last Wednesday, with the weepy Temptation Island finale drawing 17.3 million viewers (which was lower than some of its previous episodes). Meanwhile, The Mole garnered 15.5 million viewers, its highest numbers to date.
Respectable ratings indeed, but neither comes close to the 30.9 million viewers Survivor II drew last Thursday (though, if you ask me, this new season of Survivor sucks big time. But that's another story.)
Now, I've got to admit -- I really get suckered in by these shows, and I'm even planning to try out for the second installment of The Mole (a truly unique and addictive program -- if you haven't seen it, you don't know what you're missing).
So, needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting the new crop of reality-TV hopefuls. First on the list: the USA network's Combat Missions, hosted by former castaway Rudy Boesch; and helmed by Mark Burnett (the man behind Survivor). The brave souls who appear on this show will live on a military base and compete in such events as sniper attacks and hostage rescues.
Intriguing enough, but the show I really can't wait to see comes from Donald Trump. Yes, that's right folks, The Donald is now foraying into the field, with his upcoming reality TV series, Billionaire. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
The show will feature four contestants who will each try to spend $1 million in 30 minutes.
Trump will act as host (and you thought Jeff Probst was annoying) and certain rules will apply. For instance, contestants can't purchase anything via computer or phone -- and can't spend more than $200,000 on any one item.
The player who blows $1 million first (or comes the closest) will win the goods they bought (or the cash equivalent).
A pretty nifty idea, if I do say so myself. Come to think of it, I might just forgo The Mole II and give Billionaire a shot. I'm a far better shopper than I am sleuth.
