Troy DeVolld: Divorcing Basketball Wives: End of an Era (well, for me, anyway)

It’s been said that TVWriter™ hates all reality TV. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some of it is so perfectly choreographed, written, edited, produced that it stands out from the crowd. And, over recent years, one Acme Super High Percentage of that good stuff has come from LB’s buddy, Troy DeVolld.

Gotta love how Troy thinks:

*Apr 07 - 00:10*

by Troy DeVolld

My fifth and final season of Basketball Wives makes its debut on VH1 on August 19th. Leaving a great franchise is tough, but it’s just time. To all my colleagues at Shed, VH1 and in the field, cast members and former bosses who have moved on to other opportunities as well — thank you for making the last three years a very special part of my life. read article

Robin Reed: There is no reality on TV

If anyone remembers my post about cable reality shows, you may be interested in this news story:

‘Storage Wars’ Staged, Fired Star Claims in Lawsuit – by Tim Molloy

“Storage Wars” star David Hester says in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was fired after complaining that the reality show is staged.

In the lawsuit, Hester contends that the producers of the hit A&E series routinely plant valuable items in the storage lockers seen on the show. Competitors place bids on the lockers without knowing what is inside them, hoping to come across forgotten treasures. read article

Particle Physics and Reality TV

by Robin Reed

Physicists say that you can’t observe an atom or subatomic particle without changing it. I have begun to wonder, in the cable reality TV shows that I watch, how TV changes its subjects. Is a fur trapper in Alaska in danger when his plane won’t start? What if he has a TV crew with him? Surely they have their own plane and can give him a ride.

The Ghost Hunters were plumbers when the show started, but they haven’t mentioned that for a while. How much does the show pay? Do the American Pickers really need the small profits from each item or is the TV show paying more than their original business ever could?

read article