From Deseret News archives:
WB gets really mean
I'm worried about the Frog right now, however. What with founder/CEO Jamie Kellner pulling back from day-to-day operations and about to retire, maybe the WB is headed in the wrong direction.
Nearly three years ago, then-Entertainment president/now-co-CEO Jordan Levin insisted his network would avoid "exploitative" reality shows and stick with ones that were "fun." In recent months, however, we've seen a second go-round of "The Surreal Life" that exploited the presence of porn star Ron Jeremy and a second go-round of "High School Reunion" that exploited a divorced couple who are the parents of two young children.
And, beginning Monday (8 p.m., Ch. 30), we get "Superstar USA," which appears mean-spirited in a way we've come to associate with NBC and Fox reality shows.
It's supposed to be a joke, but this "parody" of "American Idol" is going to make miserably untalented people believe they have a shot at a singing career. Instead of simply exploiting how bad they are like "Idol" does with its early audition shows these people will be lied to.
That seems not only exploitative but downright mean.
I used to think the WB was better than that.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com
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