Watching VH1

Clear your calendars on Thursday nights. VH1 is expanding its original programming calendar to include at least 7 new unscripted shows to air not only on the traditional Sunday and Monday nights, but also now on Thursdays. Some of the shows sound interesting, and should be hits. The others…well, you can judge for yourself. MediaWeek gives the low down on some of the new shows:

Upcoming Thursday night entries include the aptly titled competition strip America’s Most Smartest Model, as well as the self-explanatory (if not ill-advised) Danny Bonaduce’s Child Star and The Salt ‘N’ Pepa Show, which looks in on the ‘90s hip-hop duo as they attempt to jump start their career/friendship.

Other projects slated to appear in the next two quarters are: Click!, a competition series pitting would-be fashion photographers against one another; Free Radio, a half-hour improv comedy strip; the documentary series Lords of the Revolution and Old Skool with Terry and Gita, a five-episode Bunin/Murray curiosity that VH1 characterized as “The Golden Girls meets Borat.”

The bold emphasis in the above quote is mine. I made that one stand out because it is the description that has me the most curious. What in the world could that show be like? Wasn’t Rose on the Golden Girls kind of like Borat already? Leave me some comments on what you think that show will be like or possible titles.

VH1, VH1 new programs, VH1 Thursdays, VH1 new reality shows, VH1 new shows

Hey, fellas! Did you think you missed your chance at true love with the always entertaining New York? Well, worry no more! Apparently they are casting now for I Love New York 2. Here is the information found at RealityWanted

I LOVE NEW YORK SEASON 2 Now Casting
Company: VH 1
Contact:
State: CA
Posted On: Apr 24, 07 Expires On: Apr 24, 07

Description:

CASTING 2ND SEASON OF I LOVE NEW YORK

HEY MY FELLOW SEXY SINGLE MEN. YES IT’S OFFICIAL I’M CASTING SEASON 2 OF “I LOVE NEW YORK”. I’M CASTING ALL TYPES AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS. MY BREAKDOWN IS THIS AND PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT UNLESS YOU FIT THE BREAKDOWN AND FOLLOW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES.

STRAIGHT MEN AGES-21 TO 36
ALL RACES:
EXTREME PERSONALITIES:

I don’t want to leave out you ladies, either. Are you both beautiful and smart? VH1 is looking to cast a sidekick for Ben Stein on the upcoming show “America’s Most Smartest Model”. That sounds like a great show to me!

Or maybe you have some Dirty Little Secrets to tell. Well, VH1 is lending you an ear. You can air your dirty laundry on a forthcoming website, and may be chosen to tell your secret on TV as well.

VH1, Reality TV casting, I Love New York, Ben Stein, America’s Most Smartest Model, Dirty Little Secrets, VH1 CelebReality, VH1 CelebReality casting, casting call

Two more great acts, Alice in Chains and Queens of the Stone Age, will appear on stage at VH1’s Rock Honors award show to be broadcast on May 24th. These bands will join Keane, Gretchen Wilson, and Nickelback as they pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, ZZ Top, and Genesis. Keep checking back for more up to date information on the Rock Honors show as it becomes available.

VH1 Rock Honors, VH1 Awards, Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, ZZ Top, Genesis, Keane, Gretchen Wilson, Nickelback

Yes, VH1 reruns its CelebReality lineup into the ground as their respective season airs, and then again in marathon form when new seasons of the shows are premiering, but if you miss the “classic” seasons of these shows, then this deal is for you.

Early reports are saying that the TV Guide channel is paying out $6.7 million dollars for the exclusive three-year rights of old episodes of shows like “My Fair Brady”, “The Surreal Life”, “Flavor of Love”, and “Strange Love”. The channel will also get first dibs of “I Love New York” and “Charm School” after they’ve run their course on VH1. During those three years, VH1 will not be allowed to show any of those episodes.

What do you think about this deal? Are you excited to see some of your favorite CelebReality shows getting new life, or do you prefer a surprise marathon on VH1 every now and then? Leave me some comments and also check out the full article about this deal.

VH1, TV Guide Channel, My Fair Brady, Strange Love, Flavor of Love, Surreal Life, Charm School, I Love New York, CelebReality

Thanks to a good friend and fan of this blog, it has been nominated for a Blogger’s Choice Award! If you have a couple of spare moments, I’d appreciate a vote thrown my way, as right now it’s looking pretty sad. The Blogger’s Choice Awards are also a great way to find new and interesting things to read on the internet, so browse around and vote for as many as you like. Just click on the little icon above to vote for watchingvh1.com as the Best Entertainment Blog. Thanks for reading this blog and I am very grateful for your support.

Are you waiting for your favorite artist’s new album to drop or maybe wanting tickets to see them live? VH1 has a lot of opportunities for fans to get direct access to their favorite artists. Here are the latest links to new music, contests, and other great stuff from VH1.

Box Set: Avril Lavigne
The pop-rock princess talks about getting signed, forming her band, and making videos. Watch these exclusive interviews along with clips both new and old!

See The Killers Live
Win front-row tickets to see the band in NYC on April 28, and go backstage for an intimate acoustic performance. Enter now!

Amy Winehouse
She packs a punch with just an acoustic guitar & that killer voice. Watch Live@VH1.com.

Musiq Soulchild
Watch him perform Live @ VH1.com & buy “B.U.D.D.Y.” exclusively on URGE!

Ryan Shaw
He’s all about old school soul. Listen to his new disc a week early on Hear Music First.

New Video: Evanescence
They bring the power on “Sweet Sacrifice.” Watch it and others in Box Set.

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Which one is your favorite? Who would you like to see a preview from? Leave me some comments.

VH1, VH1 Music, Music sneak peek, VH1 Contests, Avril Lavigne, The Killers, Evanescence, Amy Winehouse, Ryan Shaw, Musiq Soulchild

Every day this week on watchingvh1.com, I will be previewing the reality shows that begin new seasons within the next couple of weekends. You’ll learn all about Charm School, Celebrity Fit Club: Men vs. Women, and The Springer Hustle. Over the next couple of weeks, I will also try to get everyone caught up on currently airing shows, as well. For now, if you want some instant information on Acceptable TV and how to get a voting widget, check out the Bloggin TV blog written by the ever-entertaining Todd.

Acceptable TV, voting widget

As I was surfing the internet, I came across an article at MediaTakeOut.com breaking the story that VH1 and host Mo’Nique are being sued for stealing the idea behind Charm School, VH1’s new show that takes former Flavor of Love contestants and tries to turn them into proper ladies. The following letter, which was sent to VH1, has details of the situation.

VH1
1633 Broadway, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Legal Affairs

RE: Drew Sidora - “Ghetto Fabulous”

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We represent Drew Sidora and her affiliated entities. VH1’s new reality television series “Charm School” (the “Series”) is a blatant infringement of Ms. Sidora’s copyrighted reality television project “Ghetto Fabulous” (the “Project”).

Ms. Sidora and her manager, Allison Jordan, together with Charles Sims, prepared a treatment (the “Treatment”) for the Project, which they registered with the Writers Guild of America on February 19, 2004 and again on April 8, 2004. In early 2005, Ms. Jordan and Corliss King pitched the Project and submitted the Treatment to Stacey Jenkins at VH1. Ms. Jordan and Ms. King described the Project as a reality show about “Ghetto Fabulous” girls who are taught proper etiquette and transformed from ghetto to glamorous. Ms. Jordan and Ms. King spoke with Ms. Jenkins on multiple separate occasions over the course of more than a year, setting forth many potential story ideas and scenarios.

Although Ms. Jenkins unequivocally indicated to Ms. Jordan and Ms. King that VH1 genuinely liked the concept and told them that VH1 intended to pursue the Project, Ms. Jordan and Ms. King did not hear from Ms. Jenkins or anyone else at VH1 again. Ms. Sidora therefore presumed that VH1 had elected not to pursue the development of the Project.

In light of the foregoing, Ms. Sidora, Ms. Jordan, Ms. King and Mr. Sims were shocked and outraged last week when for the first time they saw the promotional segments for the Series. VH1’s description of the Series reads like the description of the Project. Specifically, VH1 describes the Series as a reality series about “ghetto fabulous” girls who are enrolled in a charm school and thereby transformed from ghetto to glamorous.

VH1’s liability under copyright and tort law is clear. It is undisputed that VH1 had extensive access to the Project. Moreover, based on the overwhelming substantial similarities between the Project and the Series, a reasonable person would conclude that the Series is a blatant misappropriation of the Project.

Accordingly, Ms. Sidora demands that VH1 immediately cease and desist from any further development, production, distribution and any other exploitation of the Series, and confirm to us in writing not later than April 1, 2007 that VH1 has done so. In addition, VH1 must compensate Ms. Sidora for the illegal and infringing use of the Project and the loss of opportunity to produce the Project as a television series. If VH1 fails so to comply, our client will protect her rights by aggressively pursuing legal and equitable remedies against VH1, including asserting claims for copyright infringement, breach of implied contract, breach of confidence, interference with prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition—claims that carry significant compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief.

This letter is not intended to be a complete recitation of the relevant facts of this matter. Furthermore, nothing contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of our client’s rights or remedies, either at law or in equity, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.

What will this lawsuit do to the premiere of Charm School (scheduled to air April 15th)? Check back here for more updates on the situation.

VH1 Lawsuit, Charm School, Charm School Lawsuit, Flavor of Love, Ghetto Fabulous, Mo’Nique, Drew Sidora