Fan Rant: Is Any Old-School Star Safe From Reality Television?
Filed under: Casting, Celebrities and Controversy
Perhaps all possibly iconic roles should come with a warning: If you get too popular, too much of a heartthrob or superstar, there's a good chance that the spotlight will fade and you'll have to make your "comeback" on a reality show. Oh, how the mighty can fall.
We've had everything from The Surreal Life to The Two Coreys, and now we're getting Confessions of a Teen Idol. Heard of it? The upcoming VH1 show has some completely unsurprising faces, including: Eric Nies (who is now a hippie-looking life coach!?), everyone's favorite No-Match-For-A-Cool-Rider Adrien Zmed, and Jamie Walters, who has morphed from Shout star to head-shorn, tat-covered musician. But the big surprise on the list, at least for me, Christopher Atkins -- also known as the man who led The Pirate Movie and showed off his stuff with Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon.
The show follows the men as they live together "forming a unique and exclusive support group." And it's spearheaded by Scott Baio. Oh yes, so it's not only seeing them now, but them exploring "their hopes and fears about daring to want that fame back as grown men." I'm thinking they should've just talked to Jackie Earle Haley, rather than signing on to humiliate themselves on television.
But I wonder: How far will this go? Will any of our childhood favorites be safe? Who will be next? When will it stop? I already can't look at Corey Haim the same after what I've seen recently. I really don't want all of my old, beloved films to get the same sad reality show tarnish.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-05-2009 @ 2:21PM
Kurt Munro said...
Then don't watch it and quit moaning.
Reality shows are far more interesting than most of todays badly written drama.
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1-05-2009 @ 5:27PM
AJ Wiley said...
You, my friend, hold a minority opinion.
1-05-2009 @ 7:00PM
Kurt Munro said...
The people of the UK would seem to disagree, as the Digital Spy Big Brother forum has 8.3 million posts in it (yes, more than the crappy Doctor Who one).
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/
1-05-2009 @ 3:30PM
Andy said...
Well, at least these examples can serve as fair warning for the guy in Indiana who thinks he's going to skip college and head out to LA to become a 'star' because he has frosted hair, a tan, and some tight dress shirts to untuck.
Every single week 'reality' TV (and by the way, someone needs to come up with a new word for this because it's the farthest from reality that I can think of) drives home the fact that if your goal is to get attention and scream 'look at me, my daddy never hugged me'...you'll get what you deserve in the end. That's what these kinds of douchebags never understand. They want to be Johnny Depp, but they don't want to do the work that people like Depp and Heath Ledger...hell, even Brad Pitt... invest in their work. They think that if they wear the right jeans, they'll be Marlon Brando. In the end it's not about work and craft to these jerks, it's about getting back at the bully that called them fat in 4th grade, or the older brother that got all the attention. They never, ever learn.
Pathetic.
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1-05-2009 @ 3:39PM
Astin said...
I fully expect The Wonder Years: The Next Generation to come along, with all the original cast. Maybe Doogie Howser Jr. would have been possible before NPH's resurgence. Or maybe they can gather the kids from such horrible shows as Small Wonder, Harry and the Hendersons, The Torkelsons, The Charmings, and toss in the non-Batemen kids from Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family/The Hogans and the non-Olsen daughters and neighbours from Full House in "Damn, I Wish I Still Had That Trust Fund."
The ocean of has-been child stars is deep. For every Jackie Earle or NPH, there are dozens who are "where are they now?" fodder, just waiting for the reality call. It's almost akin to the desperation Playboy shoot of years past.
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1-05-2009 @ 3:53PM
Kevin said...
Were people really expecting much of anything from these guys? They weren't ever as talented as someone like Leo and couldn't expand their talents to another area ala Ron Howard. Instead of slipping into oblivion like most teen idols, they get to cash one more check off of their past fame. I'm not going to watch the show but I don't begrudge them their status.
And can give Eric Nies some credit? That guy's stretched his 15 minutes of fame farther than I think most ever thought was possible.
What could be interesting is picking out who would be on this show in the year 2025: Ashley Tisdale? Corbin Bleu? The kid from Two and a Half Men? Jesee McCartney? Chase Crawford?
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1-05-2009 @ 5:34PM
BLS said...
Is that... Billy Hufsey?
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3-15-2009 @ 8:13PM
Laurie said...
I just finished watching the final episode of this reality show. I found it inspiring and thought it portrayed a heartfelt image of each and every actor. I wish ALL of them the best of wishes in their upcoming endeavors and look forward to seeing each and every one of them obtain their goals. I can't wait to see what is in store for these charismatic men...I want to see ALL of them on the screen yet again!!
Good luck guys!!
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