This Looks Awesome: New Comedy Central Show Reality Bites Back

Michael Ian Black hosts a show that mocks every other reality show by putting the contestants (stand up comedians) through challenges culled from Survivor, The Bachelor, Dances w/the Stars, American Gladiators, the Amazing Race, and more. The video below says it all.



Details on the show after the jump.



Almost American Gladiators makes me pee a little.

Reality Bites Back
Premiers Thursday July 17th
10:30 / 9:30 C

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This is Going to Be Awesome: The Search For Elle Woods

Legally Blonde was not supposed to be a good musical. It was supposed to suck, like Imagine or Little Mermaid. But it is a really good show, and mostly due to Laura Bell Bundy, who's played Elle Woods eight times a week. Now that Laura is leaving the show, a new Elle Woods must be found. Cue Reality TV! More info by hitting the monkey link.


10 finalists move into a loft to see what happens when people stop being... wrong show. 10 finalists move into a pink loft and try not kill each other as they are whittled down in weekly judging. Judges are:

Paul Canaan - Accomplished Broadway actor, plays the Reliable Gay in LBTM (Legally Blonde the Musical)
Heather Hach - Book writer of LBTM
Jerry Mitchell - Director and Cheographer of LBTM
Bernard Telsey - Casting Director of LBTM
Haylie Duff - Mentor, Host, and dear God, Executive Producer

Haylie Duff? Really? Why? I know she played Amber in Hairspray on Broadway, but whatevs. Lots and lots of untalented second rate stars do Broadway. Chicago just rotates washed up messes through their casts weekly. (currently starring John Schneider, whom I adore on Nip/Tuck, but not as Billy Flynn)

Ah well. Point is, the trailer promises lots of drama and singing and recitation of the phrase "Ohmygod youguys". I'm in - this is Summer Deliciousness.

Legally Blonde: The Search For Elle Woods
MTV
Premiers June 2nd at 10pm
Trailer Here: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1586827&vid=230660

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To Watch: So You Think You Can Dance

American Idol recap is coming later tonight, but for now, top 5 reasons to watch So You Think You Can Dance... tell the monkey to give you more.

5. What else are you watching right now at 8pm on a Thursday? I'll forgive basketball playoffs - but you still can DVR this show.

4. The Choreographers. Mia Michaels is batshit crazy, but she always pulls something out of her modern dance ass that blows me away. Wade? Bring it! Shane Sparks? Make them pop! Dan Karaty? Only the flexible need apply! These are actual professionals who work with talented young professionals to create great performances.

3. Cat Deeley. A host that actually seems to care about the contestants??!? She's fab, and she actually looks like she's having fun. And she didn't snap Dominic's little pervy neck when he got stalker/creepy. Also, she's very tall. And watching the tiny little children have to look up at her is funny.

2. Dance is a demonstrable skill that not everyone thinks they have. Most sane people will tell you they can or cannot dance - but they mean at weddings or parties. To be a dancer is a whole different thing from dancing. This show is about dancers, and by the time it gets to the Semi's, there is ridiculous talent.

1. In a couple of months, you're actually going to care about some of these contestants based on skill and not looks. American Idol is so much about the voting blocks of tweens versus moms versus whomever. This show seems much more about crushing on a contestants skill than niche. Pasha. Neil. Hawk. Sabra. They were all standouts. They're dancers, so of course they're phsically attractive (dancers asses are perfection) but fans get really passionate about the ability to do a great extension, too. Which is awesome.

I didn't mention the judges because I don't have very many kind things to say about Mary Murphy. Unless I can kindly say "SHUT THE HELL UP THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED A PAULA ABDUL WHO SCREAMS!!!!" I don't think I can kindly say that.

Yes, it's a cheesy reality show. But as a television viewing society, I think we've admitted our love of the cheese, as long as there's substance to go along with.

So You Think You Can Dance
Fox
Thursdays, 8/7C

Give Me More, Monkey!