The Surreal Life

Like an earlier poster commented, I didn't give this a show a chance until accidentally tuning into it one night. From then on, I found it funny (in an ironic way). I first watched the series with Corey Feldman, Trisha from Real World, Ron Jeremy, et al. I give these people a lot of credit (or guts) for doing this. The camera isn't always kind and the crew records EVERYTHING these folks say. What's amusing about this show is that there's always the "strange one" (Chyna Doll, Verne Troyer, or Vanilla Ice, for example) who wig out or go off on some sort of inexplicable bender...the "what-the-hell-love-match" (Adrianne Curry and Chris Knight or Flavor Flav and Brigitte Nielsen) which is hilarious to watch, though you kind of root them on, too...then the "obnoxious ones" (Feldman, Jerry Manthey, Ryan Starr, Omarosa, etc.) who seem to have checked their manners and sensitivity at the door. Janice Dickinson (in the latest one) is a whole other ball game, given that she's just plain mean to the bone and bitter (apparently she has some horrible and serious past issues she hasn't dealt with yet). I hate to say it but I dig this show and it's worth a peek. You may find yourself laughing at some of the most hair-brained things that are said or done by these poor celebs!

I liked the first season, but the second was my favorite. I loved everyone on the show. There was something about them so I ran to the IMDb and looked up their birthdays. Sure enough, except for Traci Bingham, they were all water signs! I liked Ron Jeremy. You can tell he is pretty bright and has beautiful eyes. I liked Tami Faye, too. Erik Estrada played the father figure well and I loved how Vanilla thought of him as a brother. Traci seemed like a nice person, but does have a wild streak. Trishelle does drink a lot but that "intervention" by Sally Jesse Raphael rattled her. I would show Trishelle or anyone who drinks a photo of Brigitte Neilsen (season 3) who has not aged well. I was appalled how 'Gitte would drink and pass out, leaving the Dave Coultier with the work of leading the musicians through rehearsal, compete by acting like an idiot on stage, then hug those little boys on her team while dressed totally inappropriately. Now, there's someone who needs an intervention.

After watching the first three episodes of this funny, (yes actually it is pretty funny!) new WB show, I understand while Corey Feldman is no longer working in Hollywood. The plot, is pretty simple, there are seven celebrities (and I use the term "celebrities" loosely) living in a nice house somewhere in Hollywood. That's it, there is no plot, there is no elimination, or charity, or anything else. You just watch and see what stupid thing the producer's have them do next. The highlight of the show thus far, is Feldman's constant, almost maternal need for attention. Everything seems to have to focus around him, his girlfriend, his ex-girlfriends, and his new album (God help us all). While most of the others (Rocker Vince Neil, ex-playmate Brandi Rodderick, Emmanual Lewis (Webster from tv), the classic M.C Hammer) seem to take the show for what it is, a paid vacation, and a chance to have some fun. However, Feldman, along with Gabrielle Carteris, and that annoying chick from Surrvivor think that it's actually going to help jumpstart or re-start their careers. It's funny at times, but sad as well, as most of these people have had their "fifteen minutes" and they ain't gettin' them back. If you want a little nostalgia from the 80's and early 90's, and a chance to see just how far some superstars have fallen, give "Surreal Life" a chance. But you'd better hurry, because it's on the WB, so it probably won't last long. Hey, here's an idea for a sequel. Vanilla Ice, Screech (from saved by the bell) Jimmy Walker, and Elizabeth Berkley...

Ugh! Why did they let The Roaring Bitch come on this one? I didn't like Jerri on Survivor:The Australian Outback or Survivor:All Stars and I'm not about to start liking her now. Even though I did feel sorry for her when she had her melt down I still hate her with every fiber of my being. She was cocky, arrogant and too smart for her own good. :p The producers of this show ought to be drawn out and shot for letting Ms Manthey on this show. She is, coincidently, the most annoying person on that show along side Gabriel Carteris. A lot of people find Jerri is how she was portrayed on the Australian Outback and on All-Stars. She's a whiny bitch.

I never quite got into the first season, but the second one had a combination of cast members that could possibly never be topped. In reality, if any one of the following were not on the show: Ice, Erik, Jeremy or Tammy, then it just wouldn't have been the same. I would like to see an "all-star" version of this show using the better cast mates from each season without the two or three "filler" celebrities that they feel they must ad to each season...you know...the ones that were mediocre, even in their prime, or are simply reality "stars". After viewing reruns on VH1, I have gained new respect for the first season however, and the third one is getting pretty interesting...in a train wreck sort of way. I just think that Jordan and the sour "too good for everyone" girl (cannot remember her name) both are putting a hurt on their future careers by doing this show...neither came off very well.