Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and the Giunta Family

May 12, 2008 02:44:46 by DA Southern

We opened with Ty giving rowing instructions to a rowing team as he announced that the great state of Massachusetts was to be the latest recipient of the Extreme team’s gallant efforts to help a deserving family with a new home.

Ty summoned designers Paige Hemmis, Paul DiMeo, Michael Moloney and Tanya McQueen for the big task as the team watched the application video from the Giunta Family. March 26, 2006 began as a day of joy for Paul and Renee Giunta when, at two in the morning, baby girl Brianna was born. Nine hours later tragedy struck when Paul, on his way home with their young sons, Dylan and Cameron, was involved in a serious, single-car accident.

Paul has had four major brain surgeries since the accident and can’t walk fully on his own, requiring the assistance of a wheelchair and a walker. He spent sixteen months living and doing rehab in the hospital in Boston and now, because their current home isn’t handicapped accessible, lives with his parents in a retirement development which is handicapped accessible. Besides accessibility problems, their home also has broken water pipes, bad electricity, unsafe floors and a roof that needs major repair work and Paul desperately wants to come home and be with his family.

The big bus pulled up on a snowy Massachusetts morning on Day 1 at 8:42 AM as Ty and the gang began the journey home for Paul and his family. Ty yelled at Mom and the kids to come out and Ty announced a Disney World visit would be in the cards for the family and immediately went into the home with Renee to see the conditions of the unsafe home, especially for Paul. It certainly was one of the most emotional walk-thrus we have ever seen as Renee sobbed at the prospect of Paul being back in the home with her and the kids.

Paul DiMeo was with son, Dylan, and saw his love of Dinosaurs, Paige was with younger son, Cameron, and noticed his room adorned with Penguins and Tanya and Michael were with daughter, Brianna, in a fairy-tail room. With the theme rooms set, the family was off to Disney World as Ty and the gang readied for the onslaught of the builders, Jeanson Homes and Fenton Homes, and the scores of volunteers for the week-long build.

Day 2 started at 9:02 AM with a replay of the Revolutionary War and the Massachusetts militia marching towards the build site to tear it down with the crude weapons of yesteryear. Hey, don’t kill the messenger. Oh yeah, a Ty-larious moment was upon us quickly as Ty rode on a horse like Paul Revere announcing their arrival. Hey, I laughed. Ty then manned the camera and showed the family the musket fire being heaped on the home by the Minutemen. OK, they had to be helped by a bunch of bulldozers, but it was kinda cool.

We quickly zoomed to Day 3 at 10:17 AM as Tanya walked us through the infrastructure of the new 3000 square foot home and announced that it would probably be one of the most open homes to date as Paul showed us the Tyrannosaurus Rex bed he was making for Dylan.

Hey hold on, another Ty-larious moment was occurring as Ty was giving a real bad hair style to some lady in a salon as he announced his secret project of making a hair salon for Renee in the new home.

Day 4 already was with us at 12:13 PM as I think we spent far too much time fooling around with the Minutemen in the opening scene. Tanya was again the hostess of the walk-thru as she must of not as much to do this episode and Tanya was messing around with sugar cubes for something in Cameron’s room. Michael hosted a Bar-B-Que for the people who nominated the family, some 2000 of the townsfolks, as we saw him for the first time this episode and, of course, he manned the video for the family on vacation.

Day 5 started for us late at 4:20 PM as our guide, Tanya, announced that the house details were almost done and the home was completely wheelchair accessible. Paige’s Penguin room and Paul’s Dinosaur room were on track while Michael was off to Sears to stock the Master Bedroom for Renee and Paul and we had yet another Ty-larious moment as Ty ushered out a bunch of women…and Michael…with bad hair styles from the secret project room and told them “That’s what happens when you try to see inside the secret project room.” I’m dying here with so much comedy.

Michael announced that he had the keys which meant we were into Day 6 and the furniture was about to be moved in and close to having the family home.

The throngs of people greeted the family as the limo pulled into view. Ty quickly yelled “Bus driver, move that bus” and you could see that Paul was visibly shaken as he and the family saw the new home as the crowd yelled “Bring Paul home” in the background.

Ty sent the family into the rest of the home and Cameron was first into his Penguin room and son, Dylan, was amazed at this Dinosaur room and especially his Tyrannosaurus Rex bed. The little girl was next into her Fairy Tail room and Paul and Renee saw Paul’s rehab room for the first time. Paul and Renee were finally reunited together into their Master Bedroom for the first time in two years and it was really a very tastefully room done by Michael.

Ty showed Renee her new salon with all of the amenities for success and Ty took the family to meet the designers for the final time as we heard the final retort by Ty, “Welcome home, Giunta family, welcome home.”

The credits rolled and we saw a glimpse of the 2 hour season finale that will air next week from New Orleans and certainly a fitting end to our 50 State journey across America.

Reality TV Magazine is your source for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition news. For other great Reality TV news, please feel free to check out SirLinksALot: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Photo Courtesy of ABC

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Reality TV Magazine… Where Did You Go?!

May 12, 2008 01:11:58 by Christine Fix

Dear Reality TV Magazine readers,

We’re back!

Due to “technical difficulties”, Reality TV Magazine had some unscheduled downtime this past weekend. We apologize to you for the inconvenience and we hang our heads that we were unable to let you know of the downtime in advance. Hopefully our Survivor Micronesia Finale coverage that’s on the way will alleviate some of the stress that you may be feeling from not being able to feed that Reality TV addiction by reading our site! Reality TV Magazine’s very own Ryan Haidet was in New York over the weekend especially to cover the finale and we can’t wait until you see the photos and read the exciting red carpet interviews he has in store for you!

Until that time and until our brilliant team of writers are able to post their in-depth recaps of tonight’s lineup, please feel free to browse our American Idol editorials from last Friday May 9 when David Cook revealed two of the songs he’d be singing this week, read how Kansas City declared it David Cook day, read some juicy Jason Castro gossip and check back with us later on today for a few more exciting reality TV news from all your favorite shows!

Since we’re back on track, what will you be watching tonight? Leave a comment below! So many to watch, so little time to do it. Thank goodness for TiVo, right?!

Cheers and thank you for your loyalty and patience!

Christine Fix
Editor-in-Chief
Reality TV Magazine

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David Cook Reveals Two of the Songs He’ll Be Singing Next Week…

May 9, 2008 08:13:58 by Jennifer_Brown

As part of American Idol finalist David Cook’s whirlwind tour through his hometown of Kansas City today, David sat for a lengthy interview with Fox affiliate WDAF Fox 4’s Morning News at 7:30 AM. During the interview, David revealed his song choice for next week’s performance program!

Next week, the Idols will each be singing three songs, at least one of them chosen by the judges and at least one other chosen by the Idols themselves.

When asked about next week’s three-song program, David revealed that the song he chose to perform is The World I Know by Collective Soul. David indicated that he planned to spin it a tad to suit his personal style, but chose this song because, “it’s kind of mellow.”

Later, during the interview, David received a text message on his phone from Simon Cowell. The message revealed that the song Simon chose for David to sing next week would be The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack. David laughed and said, “How do I thank Simon for this?”

Will David’s spin on these songs be enough to carry him past next week or will the judges criticize him for being in a funk again, as they did last week? When asked about last week’s performance, David responded, “It was just one of those days that you have sometimes. You wake up and it’s just kinda blah, you know? But I was lucky and I refuse to not acknowledge luck in this whole process.”

As for David’s third song? It’s still a mystery–if David knows, he’s not telling.

Photo Courtesy: Frank Micelotta/FOX

Topics: American Idol | 1 Comment »

Kansas City Declares Today David Cook Day!

May 9, 2008 07:57:31 by Jennifer_Brown

It’s a chilly and rainy day in Kansas City today, but nothing is going to rain on our parade, as our favorite hometown Idol is breezing through town on a whirlwind tour, Idol cameras at the ready.

David Cook, a Blue Springs, Missouri (a suburb of Kansas City) native and one of the final three American Idols left in the competition, will be appearing throughout Kansas City today, followed by American Idol cameras and thousands of screaming fans.

A helicopter awaited David this morning, bright and early at about 7:00 AM, and hovered above David’s limousine and entourage as he made his way from hotel to local Fox affiliate station, WDAF, for an interview with Fox 4’s morning news. That’s just the beginning of a crazy Cook-filled day, which will include an announcement from a Kansas City councilwoman that May 9th is officially David Cook Day in Kansas City!

David’s itinerary for the day:

7:30 AM: Interview with Fox 4’s Morning News.

11:15 AM: Free mini-concert at the Kansas City Power & Light District (this is a newly-constructed entertainment district that David has not yet seen!). A City Council official will declare it David Cook Day and, after a few words to the crowd, David will give a free concert!

3:30 PM: Parade through Blue Springs, Missouri (David’s hometown).

4:00 PM: Concert at David’s old high school–Blue Springs South (yes, all 10,000 tickets have been given out)

7:10 PM: David will perform at the Kansas City Royals baseball game. Rumor has it David will sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame, throw out the first pitch, and maybe even give a play-by-play commentary for a portion of the game.

After visiting with family and friends (and being officially cheered on by a gazillion American Idol fans), it’s back to Hollywood for David Cook, and back to work.

Catch American Idol Tuesday at 8:00 PM (ET) on Fox.

Photo Courtesy: Reality TV Magazine

Topics: American Idol | 1 Comment »

ABC Announces Grand Prize For High School Musical Get In The Picture

May 9, 2008 01:09:01 by Joe Reality

As previously reported by Reality TV Magazine, ABC is giving the reality TV treatment to Disney’s hit movie series “High School Musical.”  The show was originally announced as “High School Musical: Summer Session,” but the title has now been changed to “High School Musical: Get In The Picture.”

What’s the reason for the name change?  Well, it might have something to do with the grand prize for the winner of the show.  While ABC has previously kept the specifics of the grand prize a secret, it has now been announced that the grand prize is an appearance in a music video that will be shown during the end credits of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

Hence, the winner will literally “get in the picture” just as the new title suggests.  High School Musical: Get In The Picture is scheduled to debut on Sunday, July 20 from 8 PM to 9 PM ET.  The show will run on Sundays and Mondays for three weeks, before switching to just Mondays through mid-September.  Singer and reality TV veteran Nick Lachey will be hosting the series.

Photo Credit: ABC

Topics: High School Musical: Get In The Picture | No Comments »

American Idol: Jason Castro Denies Trying To Get Voted Off

May 9, 2008 01:03:30 by Joe Reality

For the last couple of weeks, many in the media have been speculating that Jason Castro actually wanted to get voted off American Idol.  From his famous yawn to his forgetting of the lyrics, it is understandable how some people could have developed the impression that he might be trying to throw the competition.

During a recent media call, Jason Castro was asked if he had forgotten the words to “Mr. Tambourine Man” on purpose.  Jason said, “I definitely did not do that on purpose.  I couldn’t believe I forgot such a popular line, something that’s like written on your soul.  Somehow, it slipped my mind.  But I definitely didn’t do that on purpose.”

Another popular story in the press was about how Jason Castro yawned backstage during the show.  When asked about his yawning, Jason explained, “I heard about the yawn.  The people that told me thought it was funny.”  Jason also added, “I am a chronic yawner.  Every week before my song, I’m yawning, and I don’t know where it comes from or why, but I’m always yawning.”

After Jason Castro’s first performance during Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame week, some viewers even thought he mouthed the words “Don’t Vote.”  However, Jason strongly denied this rumor.  Jason explained, “I was saying, ‘Vote.’  And then I said it again because I was kind of trying to emphasize that but nobody heard me, and I remember going and sitting down and thinking about it, and that they kind of have the same syllables, and it’s going to look like, ‘Don’t vote.’  That went through my mind, and I was like, ‘Dang it.’  And I consciously, the second time, I only said vote once.”

Entertainment Weekly also reported that Jason Castro said he was ready to go home.  Jason explained, “There’s an interview; it was last week.  Somebody, I don’t even know where it was from, but that I had said I wanted to go home or something.  And I think this week, everybody kind of had the idea that I was ready to go.  And that wasn’t my mindset at all going in, but every week has its ups and downs, and that morning, when I had that interview, I was kind of frustrated with a lot of things.”

Jason elaborated, “Just my music, the way it was coming along.  And we were selecting songs, and just – I don’t know.  There was a lot going on that morning.  And I don’t know.  So I think that kind of came across wrong, and just with the way I was on the show, I guess, people were kind of thinking that I didn’t want to be there, which was never my mindset.”

Even though Jason Castro denies trying to get voted off, he didn’t deny feeling a little bit of relief after he was eliminated.  Jason explained, “I’ve been telling people I was as happy last night as I was when I found out I made the top 24.  This whole time, I’ve had a blast, and I was trying, but it’s just really been hard.  And that night, I remember before we found out the results, I was just thinking, I was really starting to fear the week ahead, if I made it.  How am I going to do three songs?  I can’t even do two right, and with the hometown visit, it was just going to be a lot of work, even though it would have been so much fun.

Jason continued, “I was just freaking out about it, and so that was all building up, and so I was kind of – I was ready to go either way, whatever they gave me.  When they gave me that, I just – my natural reaction, I just really felt relieved, like the pressure was off.  I loved my time on there, and I would have liked to go farther, but I don’t think I could handle it, so I’m content.”

As an extra bonus, you can now read all of our American Idol Cast Bios!

Reality TV Magazine is your source for American Idol news. For other great American Idol news, please feel free to check out SirLinksALot: American Idol.

Photo Credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX

Topics: American Idol | 1 Comment »

Survivor: Micronesia — Erik Voted Out After Biggest Blunder Ever!

May 8, 2008 08:54:03 by Ryan Haidet

This season has delivered many shocks, twists and turns – but none like the one tonight. One player made a mistake that was so shockingly stupid, that it truly is the dumbest play in the show’s 16 season history. But there was a lot that led up to that moronic move.

Day 34 arrived at the Dabu camp and Erik was chatting with the only other remaining fan, Natalie, about the biggest threat left in the game. He said that if Parvati and Cirie were smart, they’d realize that Amanda should be the next to go since she has the most votes from the jury. Natalie agreed, and they planned on one of them going to Exile Island to find the last hidden immunity idol.

But the three favorites, Amanda, Parvati and Cirie didn’t want Erik nor Natalie to go to Exile Island because of that idol, so they had a plan of their own – convincing Erik to send Parvati. Amanda approached him and said that if she won the reward, she would take him if he would promise to do the same for her if he won. A deal was struck. Then she worked her magic on telling him Parvati was the one to send to Exile. Erik was caught in the middle. Should he trust Natalie or Amanda? Who should he send to Exile?

At the reward challenge, the five players were tested on how well they actually knew the game as questions were asked about the previous 15 seasons. The first to four would win a helicopter trip to a luxury resort for a massage, meal and overnight stay. The winner would also choose who was sent to Exile Island.

This challenge proved that Erik is definitely the biggest fan remaining since he won the challenge. But it also revealed that many on there, including Natalie, who has been labeled as a fan, apparently hasn’t seen much of the show or has a terrible memory. The questions didn’t seem that tough for any hardcore Survivor fan. They were asked which season had a player get bitten by a shark to only bite it back. Some struggled with that, among other questions including one about the season in which one player made a pet out of a snake (duh, Rupert on Pearl Islands).

After Erik won, he kept his word by taking Amanda on the reward. Erik then chose to send Parvati to Exile Island. The women had him under control.

Back at camp, it was only Natalie and Cirie since the others were gone on reward and exile, which left Natalie upset. She was not happy that Erik sent Parvati to Exile Island since they had agreed on sending one another in an effort to find the idol.

On their reward, Erik and Amanda were enjoying their island helicopter flight that took them to the resort. Their plan was to not talk strategy and game play so they could simply enjoy their reward. But that was short-lived because at dinner, Erik confided in his reward guest that he wasn’t used to being in a power position since he’s just an ice cream scooper. Then he said maybe it was time to get used to it and be an ice cream man, not an ice cream boy. Oh, brother.

Day 35, Parvati was tanning on Exile Island with no apparent effort made to find the hidden immunity idol since the only reason she was sent there was to stop the others from going.

Back at camp, Erik and Amanda returned from their reward. In their shelter, Cirie was talking to Erik about Natalie being upset. As he talked strategy and the next targets, Natalie stood right behind and listened. He told Cirie that it should be her, himself and Parvati in the final three with Amanda and Natalie their next targets. Busted! Natalie admitted to the other girls that she overheard his strategy session and Cirie said that he was telling every remaining player the same thing – making deals and promises to all of them. Erik knew he was in trouble and needed to win immunity to save himself.

At the challenge, Parvati returned from Exile Island as host Jeff Probst, styling some new plaid shorts unlike his usual khakis, explained the contest. Each player had to use ropes to connect two coordinates within a large circle. Where the ropes intersect is where a bag of puzzle pieces was buried. Then they had to rush back and complete that puzzle, which provided a new set of coordinates. The first to finish three puzzles would win. Erik pulled an early lead and held it the entire time until he won the challenge. In fact, it wasn’t even close. The man who was the definite target now held safety from elimination.

Back at camp, Natalie asked the other women if she was going to be voted off and they told her yes. It wasn’t looking good for her – until Cirie concocted a new scheme that nobody would fall for – except Erik. She thought Natalie should convince him to give her his immunity necklace so she would be safe. Then they would turn and vote him out. But what argument would be strong enough to give up immunity and a guaranteed spot in the final four?

Natalie approached him alone in the cave and said that they would all vote out Amanda if he gave up his immunity. He immediately said no and questioned why they couldn’t vote out Amanda anyway. She told him that by giving up immunity, he would be redeeming himself for all the lies and doubletalk he had been doing to all four remaining women. That way, it could earn him some trust back. He went to Cirie next to talk about it. She told him that saving Natalie by giving up his necklace would be the signal that he was trying to redeem himself and they would all vote Amanda out.

He was actually considering the plan, but wanted to switch up the vote to Parvati since he thought she had found the idol on Exile Island and had given it to Amanda. “We got him on a hook, we just have to reel him in,” Cirie said. So, both Cirie and Natalie agreed to change the vote to Parvati – or so he thought.

At Tribal Council, Amanda and Parvati attacked Erik and said that nobody trusted his word anymore since he was telling all of them the same things. He apologized profusely and felt bad saying he needed redemption to prove to the jury he deserved some votes if he got to the end. Probst asked Cirie if apologies mattered at this point and in a brilliant move she said that it did matter because redemption is important – but actions speak louder than words. Erik obviously took the hint and said, “Actions do speak louder than words” as he handed over his immunity necklace to Natalie. Everybody had shocked faces from the jury to the four women. James (on the jury) couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

As Erik went to cast the first ballot, the four women were amazed their plan had worked. When Parvati voted for Erik she said, “You’re crazy. You’ll officially go down as the dumbest Survivor ever – in the history of Survivor ever.”

As Probst prepared to read the votes, everybody was shaking their heads in disbelief that Erik could be so naïve – even more than Jason (wait, is that possible?). In a 4-1 vote, Erik was blindsided and ousted from the competition. As his torch was snuffed, James on the jury said, “I’ve lost my reign as dumbest Survivor ever.” Some may remember that James had two hidden idols on the China season, didn’t play either and was voted out.

After Erik left Tribal Council, Probst turned to the group and said, “I think that is what you call a life lesson.”

In his exit interview Erik Reichenbach said, “Damn! Damn! They got me! I should’ve known better. Those damn girls. I mean, there’s one thing to be said about surviving the elements and there’s another thing to be said about surviving four crazy, sexy women. I never thought that I would be shoulder to shoulder with all these people I’ve seen on TV. These are my heroes and they’re talking to me and acknowledge me as a person. This whole experience is indescribable.”

Now only four remain – three favorites (Parvati, Natalie and Cirie) against one fan (Natalie). Find out who wins the $1 million on Sunday night’s two-hour finale followed by a live reunion show.

In the coming days, stay tuned to Reality TV Magazine for exclusive red carpet interviews and more from the Survivor finale in New York City.  I will be bringing you scoops not available anywhere else straight from the finale itself.

Reality TV Magazine is your source for Survivor Micronesia news. For other great Survivor news, please feel free to check out SirLinksALot: Survivor Micronesia.

As an extra bonus, you can now read all of our Survivor Cast Bios!

Photo Credit: CBS

Topics: Survivor | No Comments »

Meet the American Gladiators Contenders!

May 8, 2008 01:48:20 by Jennifer_Brown

Get your menacing grunts warmed up, people! American Gladiators has revealed the names of the forty new contenders that will be taking on the Gladiators for season two. Each week two male and two female contenders will face up against the Gladiators in battles of strength and stamina, battling for the ultimate prize of $100,000.

The following contenders will be hitting the Gladiators arena, with helmets in place and the finish line in their sights:

The Men:

Randee Haynes, a 25-year-old carpenter from Chicago, Illinois; Jesus Jay Martinez, a 40-year-old SWAT officer from Perth Amboy, New Jersey; John Siciliano, a 37-year-old Paralympic athlete from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Gerry Garcia, a 27-year-old special education teacher and martial arts masters student from Long Beach, California; David Moore, a 31-year-old police officer from Chicago, Illinois; Melvin Davis , a 42-year-old cop from Chicago, Illinois; Toby Gordin, a 31-year-old grocer from Memphis, Tennessee; Brick Reilly, a 27-year-old tree climber from Springfield, New Jersey; Landon Jones, a 26-year-old medical device salesman from Littleton, Colorado; Tony Tolbert, a 36-year-old science teacher from Denver, Colorado; Adam Hill, a 40-year-old ER doctor from Denver, Colorado; Mike Gamble, a 29-year-old who grew up in Connecticut and now lives in Hollywood, California; James Ruggiero, a 27-year-old high school English teacher from Yucca Valley, California; Sean Hetherington, a 29-year-old waiter and personal trainer from West Hollywood, California; Alejandro Soto, a 24-year-old war veteran from El Cajon, CA and is now a dolphin trainer for the U.S. Navy Marine mammal program; Tim Oliphant, a 33-year-old media director for Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri; Alexander Coats, a 26-year-old mortgage consultant from Jacksonville, Florida; Anthony Pagnotta, a 35-year-old NYPD Detective from Farmingdale, New York; Aaron Simpson, married to fellow contender Kendra Sirignano, hails from Tempe, Arizona; Jeff Davidson, married to fellow contender Ally Davidson, is a 29-year old financial advisor from Dallas, Texas.

The Women:

Melissa Trinidad, a 30-year-old children’s martial arts instructor, living in Brandon, Florida; Elena Maskalik, a 22-year-old firefighter who currently resides in Foster City, California; Vanessa Warren, a 35-year-old U.S. Air Force Major currently living in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Nikki Key, a 27-year-old bartender and fitness model from Queens, New York; Abbe Dorn, a 2