Tag Archives: Hell’s Kitchen

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Who Will Win Every Reality Show You Are Currently Watching

With so many competitive reality tv shows currently airing, it is nearly impossible to stay up to date on all of them. Between Survivor, which is halfway through its 33rd season, and Big Brother: OTT, which is nearing the end of its inaugural season, front runners have dominated, and underdogs are desperately trying to survive. Here is a 100% spoiler-free assessment of who is most likely to win each of your favorite guilty pleasures.

Ranked in Order of “Still Anyone’s Game” to “Solid Lock for Victory.”

 

6. Koop, Hell’s Kitchen 16

(photo credit: fox.com)

(photo credit: fox.com)



Going to go out on a limb here and say that Koop will make the biggest come from behind victory in Hell’s Kitchen history. Koop had a nightmare week last week, and likely would have been kicked out of Hell’s Kitchen if his team lost. He sliced open his finger, couldn’t compete in the reward challenge, couldn’t help his team complete the punishment, and even admitted that he is having thoughts of quitting.

So, why does Koop have a shot of winning?

Koop is the most level-headed guy in the game, and seeing as Chef Ramsey has chosen a girl to win the past 4 out of 5 seasons, it is time for a guy to win. There are only two reason why the editors would include the clip of Koop saying that he is close to quitting; because he actually quits the game soon, or because he turns his attitude around and ends up making it to the end.

At this point Koop has a long way to go to win, and he could easily be kicked off within the next 2 weeks, but if he can stop cooking raw beef wellington and quits threatening to leave, his victory could be the most impressive in HK history.

Alternate Pick –

Paulie

(photo credit: fox.com)

(photo credit: fox.com)

 

 

5. Shelby, Big Brother: Over the Top

(photo credit: cbs.com)

(photo credit: cbs.com)


Big Brother: OTT could be the most unpredictable reality show in many years, for two reasons. First, is because of all the power that America has, and second because it is the first time Big Brother has attempted this type of online-only, fall season.

Of the six contestants remaining, Shelby is the only one that is a near lock to win if she is in the final 3. She is entertaining, a great competitor, plays the game hard, and is not afraid to speak her mind.

With that being said, she will be the biggest target in the house for the next few weeks, and if she can’t win a POV or two, she won’t have a chance of making it to America’s final vote.

Alternate:

Jason

(photo credit: cbs.com)

(photo credit: cbs.com)

 

 

4. Laurence, Project Runway 15

(photo credit: mylifetime.com)

(photo credit: mylifetime.com)

 

To be honest, I am about as far from a fashion connoisseur that a human can possibly be, and have absolutely no right judging fashion designers. BUT, I am addicted to gambling on any and all reality shows, and consider myself a reality tv connoisseur, and Project Runway is no exception.

From what I can tell, Laurence is on pace to walk away the winner of season 15, as she has never been in the bottom three, and has been in the top five times, with two of those times ending in a win.

Additionally, she stays out of the drama, is there to focus on her career and focuses on making clothes that meet the challenge, and is up to her high standards every time. It would be shocking if Laurence did not make at least the final three, and difficult to think of anyone that can stop her from winning whatever the hell Project Runway winners get (I fast forward through that part.)

 

3. Billy Gilman, The Voice 11

(photo credit: nbc.com)

(photo credit: nbc.com)

 

If Vegas was allowed to gamble on reality tv, the odds-on, heavy favorite would be Billy Gilman. Much like season 10 winner, Alisan Porter, he is a former child star that is ready for a return to the spotlight. Regardless of whether or not you may think it is “fair” for The Voice to allow well known singers to compete against unknowns, there is no denying Gilman’s talent.

Gilman’s fanbase alone will keep him safe until the finals, and at this point there are only two or three contestants that even have a chance of stopping him. If the past two winners (Porter, and Jordan Smith) had a love child, it would be Billy Gilman. So, chalk up another win for Adam Levine, because Gilman’s all but got this in the bag.

Alternate: We’

(photo credit: nbc.com)

(photo credit: nbc.com)

 

 

2. Ken, Survivor 33: Millennials Vs. Gen X

(photo credit: cbs.com)

(photo credit: cbs.com)

 

Ken still has a way to go before he wins Survivor: Millennials Vs. Gen X, but he may have already won the title of world’s most perfect guy. Though labeled as an “old” Gen-X’er, Ken is only 33 years old, but way more mature than his age gives him credit for. He is a loyal alliance member, trustworthy, intelligent and well-worded, all while being friendly, likable, and devilishly handsome. And even though his basketball skills are far from NBA worthy, he does have perfect shooting form.

Typically, a merge would spell major trouble for someone like Ken. However, there are so many bigger millennial targets still in the game, that Ken will fly under the radar until they are all on the jury. At that point, Ken’s solid relationships with Jessica, Dave, and Adam, and the fact that he seems to be well liked by the rest of the old timers, will keep him protected until the finale. If Ken can fly under the radar and downplay his physical abilities, this game is his to lose.

Prediction: Jessica gets voted out one week before being able to use her advantage. She gives the advantage to Ken just when he needs it the most, and he advances to the finals. Once there, Ken Doll wins in a landslide, and becomes even more perfect now that he is a million dollars richer.

Alternate:
Zeke

(photo credit: cbs.com)

(photo credit: cbs.com)

1. Ryan Ashley, Ink Master 8

(photo credit: spike.com)

(photo credit: spike.com)

 

Not only is Ryan Ashley the most attractive person to ever appear on Spike TV, but she is also the most talented female tattoo artist to ever compete on Ink Master. With three females left in the final six, Ink Master is undeniably weeks away from crowing its first female winner.

With only four years of tattooing experience, the least amount of any contestant this season, Ryan Ashley is just as good, if not better than just about all of Ink Master’s previous w

inners, and with two wins in the past three weeks, there doesn’t seem to be any other contestant, male or female, that can get in the way of her making Ink Master history.

 Alternate:

Nikki

(photo credit: spike.com)

(photo credit: spike.com)

 

For Spring 2016 reality TV predictions, click here.

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Top 10 Reality Shows you Should be Watching (Part 1)

With so many competitive reality TV shows to choose from, how does one know which ones are a must watch, which are “catch it if you can”, and which ones you should skip altogether?

After countless hours of reality TV indulging, I have compiled a list of the top 10 competitive reality shows currently airing that you should be watching. From long-running heavy hitters, to newbies in their inaugural season, this list covers the best of the best of your favorite guilty pleasure: reality TV.

  1. Hell’s Kitchen, Fox (Season 14)

While Chef Gordon Ramsay has a unique relationship with the “chefs” competing to become the next head chef at one of his restaurants, Hell’s Kitchen is one of those shows that should have ended after a few seasons. In fact, season after season I ask myself why I am still watching this show, as nothing changes besides the disgustingly under qualified chefs that are vying for the position.

Positives:

  • Chef Ramsay’s wildly inappropriate language to the chefs can be quite comical.

Negatives:

  • The same location is used year after year.
  • The same challenges are recycled each season.
  • You can only watch mediocre contestants serve ice cold scallops, bland risotto, and raw beef wellington, so many times before it loses its entertainment value.

Final Decision: Although 4.09 million viewers turned in to the season premiere, I suggest you wait for Top Chef (season 13) to return in the fall to satisfy your hunger for cooking competition reality TV.

http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/top-chef-will-return-for-season-13

http://www.topchefcasting.com/

  1. American Idol, Fox (Season 14)

The past two seasons of American Idol have been nearly unwatchable. The fourteenth season, however, has rejuvenated the franchise and brought new life back to the struggling singing competition. If Idol can ditch its “themed weeks” in which the contestants are forced to sing songs that may fall outside the realm of their genre, Idol should be able to stay relevant for years to come.

Positives of season 14.

  • This season has a handful of seemingly very talented singers that give stellar performances week after week.
  • The judging panel is likeable, humorous, and on occasion, even gives useful advice.
  • They ditched the horrid results show, and combined their results and performance show.
  • There is no Randy Jackson. At all.

Negatives:

  • Theme weeks are back. Does anyone really want to hear 12 Celine Dion songs in one night? Or ever again?
  • The seemingly never ending audition episodes (which are finally complete)
  • Idol always has that contestant who sings those brutal ballads that put you asleep faster than an Ambien washed down with a swig of Nyquil and a shot of whiskey for good measure.

Final Decision: 9.41 million viewers watched last Wednesday’s episode, and now that the top 12 will be chosen this week, expect the ratings to rise. Join or start an office pool and enjoy the last 2 months while rooting for your favorite.

Or…just watch The Voice.

  1. Face Off, SyFy (Season 8)

The SyFy prosthetic makeup competition is back for its eighth season and is still delivering solid episodes.  Although this season got off to a VERY slow start, it has quickly redeemed itself by coming up with unique challenges that help the show to stand out from anything else currently on TV. Even if you have zero knowledge of makeup application, much like myself, Face Off educates the viewer on each step of the process that the artists go through to create their original pieces of work, and makes you feel like you could quit your job and become a professional prosthetic makeup artist.

Positives:

  • Unique challenges, such as painting nude models as insects, and creating new, intelligent lead villains for a horror movie
  • Competitors that actually have talent and a passion for their craft

Negatives:

  • The host, McKenzie Westmore’s over dramatized reaction to each contestant’s elimination is rather irritating. Nobody has died McKenzie, they simply had a subpar makeup job on a mid-budget reality show on SyFy.
  • Limited character development, as the format of the show does not lend itself to get to know the contestants as well as one may hope. This makes it difficult to “root” for a favorite, and leads to, what I call, “ho-hum” eliminations.

Final Decision: As one of SyFy’s most popular shows, Face Off has a steady viewership. 1.15 million people watched last week’s episode, which is not bad as far as SyFy is concerned. I suggest you watch at least one season regularly, if nothing else, you will educate yourself on the world of a makeup artist, and see some memorable transformations in the process.

  1. Framework, Spike (Season 1)

Framework is to furniture making, as Ink Master is to tattoo artistry. They are basically the exact same show, with the same format, judging, and basis for eliminations.

  1. Decide on an original piece of furniture/tattoo based on a theme for the week.
  2. Panic because you don’t think you are going to finish your reclining chair/sexy pin up girl tattoo in time.
  3. Fight with your fellow competitors because they think their chair/tattoo is better than yours.
  4. Get judged by two people that know what they are talking about, and one musical, quasi-celebrity. (Granted, Dave Navvaro has tattoos, and Common has furniture, so I guess that does make them experts in their respected fields.)
  5. Get eliminated based on who the judges think has the worst chair/tattoo.

Positives:

  • The contestants create some unique furniture, and have talent.
  • Everyone has furniture in their homes, so if Common is a judge, you feel as though you could be a judge. Feel free to judge away.

Negatives:

  • The judges seem to hate just about everything the contestants create.
  • I love spending money, Framework, tell me where I can buy these stools and ottomans that I desperately need in my house. Hook a brotha up, Common.

Final Decision: The jury is still out as far as Framework’s future based on their season 1 ratings, but I highly suggest you check it out. You will be amazed at how entertaining furniture making can be. Season 1 finale is this week, so Spike will likely be airing marathons leading up to Tuesday’s finale.

Also, Freddy Hill is one of my favorite people currently on my television watching schedule. I want him on all of my reality shows immediately.

  1. The Challenge: Battle of the Exes 2, MTV (Season 26)

While MTV’s The Real World may be barely clinging to life, The Challenge is as entertaining as always. In its 26th (!) season, The Challenge shows no signs of slowing down, as it continues to evolve with the ever changing demands of its viewers. This season, Battle of the Exes 2, introduced “Battle of the Exiled” in which one eliminated team gets brought back from the dead, (no pun intended).

Positives:

  • All of the arguing, fighting, and drama from the Real World, but on The Challenge, that person you loathe has a chance of being eliminated and disappearing from your TV screen.
  • Unique challenges and nail-biting eliminations

Negatives:

  • Johnny Bananas in his ELEVENTH season.

Final decision: With an average of less than a million viewers a week, The Challenge may be nearing the end of its impressive run. I suggest you watch now, while you still can.

Come back next week to see which shows make the top 5. Which shows should make the cut? Let me know in the comments section.

Data from http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/

Made by Ryan Jacobson

Made with Excel