Reality shows are sort of like Krispy Kreme doughnuts. You know you shouldn’t dive into yet another one, but you usually do.
You regret it later … as you’re reaching for one more.
For some time now, I’ve stuck to the standard line, “I only watch a couple of those,” when asked about reality shows.
But as the May sweeps period came rolling in, I couldn’t help but admit that I’m less enthralled by what kind of cliffhanger ending is in store for my favorite drama or sitcom than by other pressing questions.
I’m mostly wondering who is The Donald going to hire?
Which boxers are going to square off at Caesar’s Palace?
Which couple will win “The Amazing Race”?
Which singer will become the next “American Idol”?
And, of course, which woman will finally become “America’s Next Top Model”?
What’s worse is that I don’t even like most of these people.
Here’s a glimpse at the – sshh! – five reality shows I’m watching, and which you should jump on if you haven’t caught them yet.
‘The Apprentice’
From Day 1, I’ve despised virtually every contestant on “The Apprentice.”
Of the remaining finalists – Craig, Kendra and Tana – I hope none of them wins. They’re all tremendously irritating people and, astonishingly, each one finds a different way to grate on my nerves.
Craig is just nuts. Kendra is just not very bright. And Tana, God bless her Mary Kay-selling heart, is not as cool as she thinks she is.
The three get whittled down to one over the next three one-hour episodes, and you can bet I’ll be there for every one at 9 p.m. Thursdays on KING-TV, Channel 5.
‘The Contender’
Another Mark Burnett production, “The Contender” has more heart than “Apprentice” or “Survivor” (which went stale about three years ago), and actually has some likable personalities.
Shedding the stock image of prizefighters, “Contender” lures us into their lives, their homes and their families, and shows us that boxers aren’t savages. It is a brutal sport, but these are mostly guys trying to make it with the best skill they have.
Three boxers have qualified for the final four in the tournament, while two more – Anthony Bonsante and Jesse Brinkley – will battle Sunday night for the final spot.
The other three finalists – Sergio Mora of East Los Angeles; Alfonso Gomez of Guadalajara, Mexico; and Peter Manfredo Jr. of Providence, R.I. – are all guys I’d like to see win.
The next three episodes – which air at 8 p.m. Sundays on KING-TV, Channel 5 – will determine which two boxers will fight for $1 million at Caesar’s Palace in a live, two-hour event at 8 p.m. May 24.
‘The Amazing Race’
With Meredith and Gretchen – a couple of the coolest old people on the planet – now out of the competition, we can only hope that Uchenna and Joyce can pull out a victory.
They’re the nicest people in the contest, which isn’t a leap when put against the evil Rob and Amber and the constantly bickering Ron and Kelly.
The two-hour finale airs at 9 p.m. Tuesday on KIRO-TV, Channel 7.
‘American Idol’
“Idol” is facing some stiff competition for its final showdown and results show later this month, as “The Contender” and “Lost” match it head-to-head with two-hour episodes.
If we can get past some recent voting sabotage, Bo Bice or Carrie Underwood have my support, although I’d favor rocker Bo if I was really pressed. It airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on KCPQ, Channel 13, with the results show at 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
‘Top Model’
My favorite show to hate on television features supermodel Tyra Banks, who makes my eyes roll with virtually everything she does or says.
Kahlen of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Naima of Detroit seem like genuinely nice people and are deserving of the title. (Note: This story went to press before Wednesday night’s episode aired.)
It airs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays on UPN, Channel 11.
Columnist Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
NBC Universal
Peter Manfredo of Providence, R.I., still has a shot on “The Contender.”
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