Happy Spring Break!

I spent part of the weekend in Chicago with my wife and kids. A cool but sunny day on the magnificent mile.

While we were in one of the shopping centers, the kids saw a mall billboard promoting teen shoes with young star Ashley Tisdale. You might recognize her as Sharpay from Disney’s “High School Musical” (and the upcoming theatrical “High School Musical 3″) Although, based on the mall ad, my kids didn’t recognize her…and they watch the Disney Channel.

I didn’t recognize her at first either. She looked…different. I had read she had a deviated septum and had it fixed. Honestly, I would not have been able to recognize her except the font on the sign had her name. Her nose was way different.

Why do stars do this to themselves?   

Last week, Priscilla Presley, dancing her way into the hearts of America on “Dancing with the Stars,” admitted she had bad plastic surgery performed by a phony surgeon. The obvious question, she didn’t check the guy’s credentials, first? The second question is why have anything done at all? She’s a stunning woman. But now…her face looks frozen.

They are not the first and certainly won’t be the last.

The one plastic surgery that really shocked me was actress Jennifer Grey. You know her as “Baby” in “Dirty Dancing.” She had plastic surgery that took a truly unique, beautiful face…and turned it into a generic face.

Honestly, like Ashley above, you can’t even recognize her as Ferris Bueller’s sister anymore.

She looks like anyone…but not Jennifer Grey.

A couple of years ago Jennifer even starred in a short-lived sitcom on ABC called “It’s Like, You Know” as herself, playing  Jennifer Grey. The joke was nobody recognized her anymore as Jennifer Grey. (I guess that being one of the main punchlines on the show is why the show is no longer on ABC’s schedule.)

Other scary “plastic” makeovers: Bruce Jenner, the Olympic hero now regulated to reality TV with those wacky Kardasians on E! (wayyyyy toooo thin on the nose, dude) and Ashley Simpson, Jessica’s little sis who also looks quite different these days.

Of course, the scariest example of plastic surgery gone awry: Michael Jackson.

Enough said.

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Watched Nick’s Kid Choice Awards over the weekend with my kids. Jack Black was manic and Miley Cyrus crossed over from The Disney Channel to perform on the rival network (who says there is no chance for peace in the mideast.)

Lots of movies got plugged.

Highlight of the evening: The old man, Harrison Ford letting himself get slimed in front of a stadium full of kids with his Indiana Jones fedora. 

My kids think he’s cool.

Me too.   

Did you know “The Mole” is coming back to ABC? It was a reality show a few years ago with a “mole” working against the teams competing.

If you’ve been watching ABC in primetime the last couple of evenings, you’ve seen glimpses of promotion for it. Though you may not even know it!

I’ve noticed spots that are less than one second long airing on ABC, as a tag on the end of other programming promotion. Someone is sneaking “The Mole” logo into spots. It’s a very brief glimpse…but it’s there.

I’ll see what I can find out from ABC about it. But don’t blink…you might miss it!

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Did you see “Good Morning America” on Tuesday morning?

Inspired by “Dancing with the Stars”, they showed off a hilarious website from those wacky guys at “Jib Jab,” famous for all those animated political videos (such as George W. and John Kerry singing “This Land is Your Land”) You’ve seen their work. It’s great.

Now they have set it up where you can place your face on top of dancing bodies. You can do an Irish dance, a hoedown, or rap song. Funny, funny stuff. The GMA crew had Robin Roberts and Chris Cuomo doing the hoedown.

Make your own. It’s an entertaining site. Check it out here. http://www.jibjab.com/

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Speaking of favorite sites, another I have bookmarked is ”The Digital Bits.”

If you are interested in the latest DVD release news from someone who has a direct pipeline to the studios, Bill Hunt’s site is a good one. It’s got the latest news on releases, DVD reviews and the state of the art. The Digital Bits early on picked Blu-Ray over HD-DVD, based on use of both systems. They know their stuff. And they are real movie fans.

Good site. Great information. Find it here. http://thedigitalbits.com/

What sites are on your favorites? 

Here’s an interesting note: One of ABC’s new shows next season may be NBC’s “Scrubs.”

It’s been rumored for a couple of months that the comedy may make the move. Monday The Hollywood Reporter said:  

“Scrubs” returned to production to finish a pre-writers strike episode for NBC as well as to make a handful of new episodes likely to be picked up by ABC, the Hollywood Reporter says, citing people it didn’t identify. ABC will probably order the medical comedy’s eighth season once the actors’ contracts are finalized, the newspaper says. Both networks declined to comment, the Reporter says.

ABC Studios actually produces the show for NBC so its not a big reach to see them decide to save their own show. Besides, ABC has had such a tough time developing comedies that taking one of their studio’s stronger efforts seems pretty smart.

A couple of other shows have made network changeovers in the past.

I’m reminded that “Taxi” (with Judd Hirsh, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd, Andy Kaufman, Marilu Henner) also moved from NBC to ABC and lasted a couple extra seasons.

NBC cast off ”J.A.G.” but “JAG” became a big hit and finally found its audience when it moved to CBS.

And who can forget ”Baywatch?”

It went on to international fame in syndication after NBC gave it the boot. 

What is it with NBC and cast-off shows?    

I don’t watch a ton of reality television on a regular basis, but I do find myself checking up on many of the shows from time to time.

With scripted programming returning with the end of the writers strike, I thought I would give a check-up on the state of the reality world. Share your thoughts as well.

AMERICAN IDOL -

The big one and still the champ. IDOL seems so simple in its execution. Auditions around the country, bring the finalists to Hollywood, make ratings gold. Seems like such a simple formula. But it isn’t. If it was, all the networks would have their own IDOLS. A few of them have tried and failed…miserably. 

AMERICAN IDOL is still singing along beautifully (as someone at a competing affiliate, I’m bummed about that.) But you have to respect the show. IDOL’s producers came close to hurting the show last year when they spent so much time with “superstar” guests instead of the contestants. They fixed that this year. Let the contestants sing. 

Could the show survive without Simon? I don’t think so. When Simon calls it quits, this show will take a hit.

DANCING WITH THE STARS -

Who would have ever guessed a few years ago that viewers would flock to celebrities dancing the tango, the cha-cha and the waltz? Like IDOL, this show makes it seem so simple. It’s simply fun to watch. Mixing athletes with entertainers has been a great touch from the beginning on this show. 

The other thing I really like about DANCING? It has a great sense of humor about itself. Tom Bergeron and crew know this is silly, addictive fun and they are in on the joke. How can you not smile when the prize is a Disco Ball trophy?

DEAL OR NO DEAL -

A fun show and a good showcase for Howie Mandel. But honestly, how many times a week can NBC run this show? And next year, Howie and company are going to be seen in syndication, too! Doesn’t NBC Remember WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Apparently not. Too many DEALS…too many times.

THE APPRENTICE -

The first two seasons of THE APPRENTICE were terrific. Not so much since.

What I really liked about the show then was that the contestants had to create businesses and opportunities out of nothing. For example, selling lemonade in New York City. Then the Donald would come in and judge it and offer sound business advice. Now? With the terrific product placement deals in place, the show is more about advertising products then it is about a competition. I mean, what fun is it if the contestants have to create a big ad campaign for a known client if they have all the resources of an advertising agency, photographers, copywriters etc, at their disposal? 

I used to think Trump was an interesting personality. Now, I’m just tired of him and his hyperbole.

As far as adding a celebrity edition? Please…put a fork in this show! It’s over.

OPRAH’S BIG GIVE -

I like this show. When it launched it was a mix of EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION and THE APPRENTICE (the early edition.) The last couple of episodes are more and more Apprentice-like. I’ve had a few folks mention they don’t like the in-fighting of the teams on a show that is supposed to be of a more spiritually upbeat. Com’on, it’s Oprah!

If this show returns for another run (and I hope it does) Oprah needs to tell her producers to concentrate on the positive. Leave the fighting on another network. 

HERE COME THE NEWLYWEDS -

This has been a pleasant surprise this spring. Newly married couples compete in a reality-show version of The Newlywed Game. It’s cute. It’s fun. It gives women a chance to show just how clueless we men really are about everything.

And host Pat Bullard, who had his own syndicated talk show many, many years ago gets good marks for keeping it light and enjoyable.

THE BACHELOR: LONDON CALLING -

That show above shows how clueless men really are. This show makes men wonder, “Why do women do some of the things they do on this show?” I dunno. But it’s facinating to see some of the humiliating things some women will do to get a good looking guy’s attention. This is a competition, plain and simple. And even if I don’t watch the season, I always watch the final episode to see who the Bachelor picks. Guess I’m a sucker for romance.  

Wow. I’ve only covered a handful of reality shows out of dozens that are on TV right now.

Share your favorite reality shows and what you think of them.

It’s the weekend!

I’ve got a stack of DVDs sitting on top of the player, waiting to be watched. 

Some come recommended from friends like “Across the Universe.” I popped it in the DVD player last week just to check it out. It really looks and sounds great (a musical with Beatles music)…but I haven’t been able to finish it yet.  

I’ve also got “I Am Legend.” I’m definitely going to watch ”I Am Legend” with Will Smith. I’ve heard good things and the trailer looked awesome.

I’ve got “3:10 to Yuma” with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. I’ve been told its a great western.

Another movie about music called “Once.” It won Best Song at this year’s Academy Awards.

Remember that movie “Disturbia” that came out last year? I haven’t seen it…yet. But it’s in my queue.

A neighbor of mine loaned me “The Holiday” with Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. I want to watch it, too.

I’ve got a lot of fun watching ahead.

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After a very intense week going through hundreds of incredible, and very emotional Hoosier Big Give applications, we have found two teams to join us as part of our ABC/RTV 6 Oprah’s Big Give Indiana!

We’ve put together a special page here on theIndyChannel.com. Check it out and meet the deserving teams. http://www.theindychannel.com/entertainment/15651942/detail.html

The teams have three weeks to put together and finish their Big Give projects. You’ll be able to watch their progress on 6 NEWS and on TheIndyChannel.com.