More "Bachelor"; a Reality "Gilligan"

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,13958,00.html

 

More "Bachelor"; a Reality "Gilligan"

 

by Bridget Byrne

Apr 23, 2004, 6:05 PM PT

 

 

The überproducer of unscripted television Mike Fleiss, best known as the brain behind The Bachelor/Bachelorette, got a whole bouquet of roses today.

 

ABC ordered up two more runs of the dating show for next season; and, in a separate development, TBS has ordered two editions of a Fleiss-helmed reality version of Gilligan's Island.

 

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

 

Beginning this fall, the Alphabet network will air at least two more 11-episode cycles of The Bachelor. Meanwhile, the Turner cable channel has committed to two eight-episode cycles of an unscripted castaway series based on the classic sitcom, slated for a fall premiere.

 

The Bachelor, which debuted early in 2002, has been an island unto itself in ABC's woefully unsuccessful lineup, registering as the network's top show with adults 18-49, the advertiser popular demographic, and attracting an average 13.1 million viewers each week. Last week, 10.5 million tuned in to see the latest episode of the current Bachelor, headlined by New York Giants backup quarterback Jesse Palmer.

 

"We couldn't be happier to have our hit reality series back next season," Andrea Wong, ABC's senior veep of alternative series and specials. "Through brilliant casting and carefully added elements to the original formula, the show is a rock on our primetime line-up."

 

In the same press release, Fleiss says, "I'm looking forward to The Bachelor being ABC's number 1 show for the fourth straight year." It could be, as the 9 p.m. Wednesday night series certainly doesn't have much ratings competition inside the turbulent Mouse House-owned network and has managed to stay in front of rival networks' efforts to clone it.

 

Meanwhile, on Gilligan's Island, Fleiss will be looking to cast real-life clones of the inept titular first mate and his fellow Minnow Crusoes: sexy showbiz siren Ginger, sweet farm girl Mary Ann, the resourceful Professor, moneybags Thurston Howell III and dim wife Lovey, and, of course, the Skipper. The seven castaways were stranded in the South Pacific for three seasons in the mid-'60s on CBS (and for eternity in reruns). Like their fictional alter egos, the new batch will indulge in all sorts of foolish schemes to try to escape the island.

 

Steve Koonin, TBS' executive vice president and chief operating officer, is looking to Fleiss' Gilligan redo to "resonate with the young."

 

No doubt the nostalgia factor will also lure fans of the four-decade-old sitcom. Sherwood Schwartz, who created the original Gilligan, and son Lloyd will share co-executive credit with Fleiss.

 

"I always liked this title as a [reality] concept," says Fleiss, "so when they came to me, I was like, 'Hell, yeah.' It's a no-brainer."

 

But Fleiss' real reason for creating what TBS calls a "marriage of one of the most recognized comedies in TV history and the hottest genre in TV right now"--"to settle once and for all the age-old question: Ginger or Mary Ann?" (Maybe The Bachelor can swim in to make the choice.)

 

Fleiss' endless stream of voyeuristic reality shows include The Bachelorette spinoff Trista & Ryan's Wedding along with the WB's High School Reunion and, of course, Fox's ill-fated Who Wants to Mary a Multi-Millionaire?. He's also responsible for last year's remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. He is also helming the WB's Superstar USA, a parody of American Idol.

 

His Next Entertainment Telepictures is owned by Time Warner, which also owns TBS. Warner Bros. International Television Distribution will be selling the international format rights to Gilligan's Island, as they have for The Bachelor.

 

 

Great so now they're going to fuck with Gilligan's Island and make it a reality show. Man fuck reality TV I can't wait till it ends.

[Mole 0]

Wow.

 

So they kid rid of good TV for reality TV?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

This is fucking brilliant.

 

RRR: Waiting for a Reality show version of I Love Lucy, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, Happy Days and Threes Company.... and the Golden Girls.

[treble 0]

Wow.

 

So they kid rid of good TV for reality TV?

What good TV are they getting rid of?

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

our only hope is that reality shows get more and more dangerous untill someone finally dies and they all get cancelled.

 

*hopes*

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

This is fucking brilliant.

 

RRR: Waiting for a Reality show version of I Love Lucy, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, Happy Days and Threes Company.... and the Golden Girls.

Hell why stop at old shows. Why not do a reality version of current shows like 24 or The Shield or Smallville?

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

i would watch a reality Shield. seriously.

[Vern Gagne 0]

This is fucking brilliant.

 

RRR: Waiting for a Reality show version of I Love Lucy, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, Happy Days and Threes Company.... and the Golden Girls.

I love Lucy-Special guest star Janet Reno storms the apartment and steals Little Ricky, sending him back to Cuba.

 

Happy Days-The Fonz contracts Syphillis and his stabbed to death by the Count Malochie in a knife fight.

 

The Honeymooners-Ralph is arrested for spousal abuse.

 

Threes Company-Jack really is gay. So is Mr. Ferley.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Here's the latest news release from ABC:

 

"ABC and Jerry Seinfeld are proud to present the newest hit-smash reality series. This fall, 4 different people will be placed in New York City and their lives shall intertwine as they experience life, love, and soup in the Big Apple.

 

The Comedian

The Neurotic

The Eccentric

The Bitch

 

See what happens when these 4 people eat low fat frozen yogurt, take karate classes, wait in a chinese restaurant, bet on who can "last" the longest, discuss the value and virtues of salsa, try to get a sitcom on NBC, and much, much more."

[Vern Gagne 0]

Here's a great idea. A reality show set in a Bar, owned by a former baseball player.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Here's a great idea. A reality show set in a Bar, owned by a former baseball player.

AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.

[Astro101 0]

They should have something like "Playmakers", where they show football stuff on tv.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

6 20-something white people in Manhattan, 3 guys and 3 girls, 2 of them brother and sister, trying to be friends.

[Vern Gagne 0]

What about this. We follow the life of a headwriter of a popular talk show.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Here's a great idea. A reality show set in a Bar, owned by a former baseball player.

AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH.

"Gee, we don't see many of you molten rock men in here."

 

"At these prices I'm not surprised."

 

"That's it. You are outta here!"