Love in the Wild Helps Everyday People Find Romance in the Jungle

  Photo by Trae Patton/NBC 

Love in the Wild sounds like the perfect knew reality show to addicts like us — Survivor meets the Bachelor. Who could ask for anything more? At a recent press event executive producer Tom Shelly and the Chairman of Endemol North America, David Goldberg, talked about how the series came to be and why it might just have a greater success rate than its competitors.

Shelly described the origins of the concept, “We went after real professional people, who were unlucky in love and were really looking for relationships. And we liked the idea of putting them under pressure that's above and beyond real life but putting them through, not a speed dating, but a speed life course in dating and… putting them in pressure when they are really looking for love. Can they find love in the outdoors with a little bit of that thematic idea that you always see in movies where a man and a woman are put under extreme pressure in the outdoors and in the jungles and in the wilds and ultimately they fall in love? And we wanted to put that experiment to the test to see if it would really happen. And we found that it actually did happen for quite of few of our couples.”

Goldberg talked a bit about the contestants saying, “The people on this show are real people. They are people that have regular jobs. They are firemen. They are policemen. They are lawyers. They are doctors. And in many cases they aren't your typical reality contestants, who just want to come on these shows and rip off their clothes and show their bodies and get their 15 minutes of fame.”

He added, “The unique part about the cast of this show are they legitimately have had months and years of not being able to find people they connect to. And they saw this as an opportunity to come on a show and go through this adventure and legitimately see if they could find a soul mate.”

Goldberg noted that the series already has a success rate to rival the more established Bachelor franchise. “It's interesting to note that we think three or four of these couples are legitimate couples long-term.” Shelly concurred, “We have already had requests from some of the couples that is it okay if we keep seeing each other… before the show airs. For a lot of these shows, these dating shows, there were absolutely genuine connections formed on this.”

Goldberg explained why he thought genuine relationships formed during the romantic adventure series. “It's just like it is in the real life. You've got somebody that you're interested in and all of a sudden you find out that somebody else is more interested in them. There are many, many parallels between the way things happen in the real world and the way things happen in this show, and that was really what we were going after. We wanted to find parallels between dating in the real world and dating in the jungle.”

Adding extreme challenges into the mix only heightened the connections according to Goldberg who said, “We were able to put them in very kind of stressful, very challenging situations that are like the things that we have to deal with in real life. And the quest was to see if you put them in those situations do they actually make it through that and do they actually find a bond. Anybody can go on vacation and live sort of a fantasy life and fall in love. The question is after that happens, what happens? I think this show will show that having gone through that they know what their partner is going to be like in those situations.”

Goldberg noted that Love in the Wild is ushering in a new era in the reality experience. “This is a romantic comedy that I think just about anybody who is single and looking for a serious relationship would want to come on and do this. I mean, you're in Costa Rica. You're experiencing these incredibly beautiful scenes and locations, and you're legitimately looking for somebody and it's not like when the show is over the relationship is over. If you're really looking for love, this is the show to be on.”

And if you’re looking for a new kind of romantic reality show, it’s the one to watch. Tune in to Love in the Wild when it debuts on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on NBC.

Paris Hilton Returns to Reality TV on The World According to Paris

  Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas

Paris Hilton makes her triumphant return to reality TV on Wednesday night with her new series The World According to Paris. This time she has her whole family in tow and she’s letting her true personality show through. At a recent press event Paris, her mother Kathy and series’ executive producer Arthur Smith talked about the new show.

Paris explained why she was ready to come back to television, “I had so much fun doing The Simple Life a few years ago. It was such a huge success, and I love my fans, and I love showing them my life. And I feel like before I would never have done a show like this five, ten years ago. I wasn't really comfortable with myself.

That’s why Hilton normally likes to keep to herself. Sure she’s pals with the paparazzi but she doesn’t lay it all out on the line like she used to — until now. She confessed, “I do like having my privacy… when I'm at home and we're not shooting the show, but that's what I love to do.”  

Executive producer Smith revealed that Paris will be allowing her fans into the hidden recesses of her glamorous life. He remarked, “It's so intimate. You really are going to be surprised. And she has been phenomenal, and Kathy as well, and… I can't believe what they're letting us show.”

He continued, “There's no format to the show. This is the real Paris. About a year ago when we first started talking… Paris told us what she wanted to do, and we were like, ‘Really?’ And so this show is an all access look at Paris. It's her real life. It's her relationship with her mom, Kathy, of course, and her friends, and people are going to be really, really surprised. I was surprised. I was surprised as to where we went, and we are all so energized by what happened. I think her friends are just going to be blown away, completely blown away.”

Kathy also acknowledged the spontaneous nature of the show. “It's not planned. It's just we move throughout the day, whatever is happening that day, and there's always surprises and excitement and drama and some laughter and some craziness. But why not share it with you instead of having it be reported on one of these shows that tweak (sic) it. We want you to see the real thing.” Her Twitter savvy daughter jumped in, “Tweak?” Kathy laughed, “Tweak. Tweet. I don't know.”

Paris was too shy to describe how the fans will be seeing her on the show, but Arthur and Kathy were happen to take a stab at it. Smith noted, “She’s really funny and likes to have a good time… you are going to be amazed.” Her mom added, “You're also going to see a young woman who is very relatable in the sense that she has feelings. She's going through ups and downs in relationships. She has a mother and a father that are very vocal to her regardless of what any of you think. She gets put over our knee once in a while. She tries to borrow my clothes and she gets in trouble. She's very sensitive. She's very, very thoughtful. She's kind. She's not a diva. And I was very impressed with her savvy of her little producer's hat, as I would call it… You're going to get to know all of us in a different way.”

Tune in to the series premiere of The World According to Paris on Wednesday, June 1 at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on Oxygen.

VH1 Rocks the Revolver Golden Gods Awards

It may be the best ceremony titles in entertainment. But if that’s not enough to get you to tune in to VH1’s Revolver Golden Gods Awards, there are a few others — namely Mötley Crüe, Alice Cooper and… Shatner?

Yes if metal isn’t your thing you might at least want to tune in to catch Captain Kirk receive the Honorary Headbanger Award, which will be presented by comedian Brian Posehn and Scott Ian of Anthrax. Shatner might seem like a strange choice but his upcoming release Seeking Major Tom is a concept album fueled by hard rock and metal cover tunes.

Mötley Crüe will receive the first ever Ronnie James Dio Lifetime Achievement Award. Avenged Sevenfold will receive Album of the Year for Nightmare. And Cooper will receive the Golden God Award from Rob Zombie. He’ll also take the stage with the original members of the Alice Cooper Group to perform the rock classic “School’s Out.”

The whole event is hosted by Chris Jericho. The WWE superstar has gained some mainstream recognition recently as a competitor on Dancing with the Stars. He might not have taken home the Mirror Ball Trophy but he did make Carrie Ann Inaba cry when he danced an emotional tribute to his mother to the Beatles’ “Let It Be.” Jericho is also the frontman for the band Fozzy.

Get ready to bang your head when the Revolver Golden Globe Awards airs on Saturday night at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on VH1.

For more Pop Culture Passionistas music stories read:

 

Map of Metal: This Site Goes to11

  

Mojipbob Marries Musicand Motor Vehicles

Famous Objects from Classic Movies

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An Interview with Biggest Loser Winner Olivia Ward

Photo by Trae Patton/NBC

We watched the whole season of The Biggest Loser routing for the sisters Olivia Ward and Hannah Curlee because we could relate to their strong bond. As so when the pair ended up in the final three together we were so happy for them. But in the back of our heads, knowing what just a tinge of sibling rivalry feels like, we couldn’t help but wonder if they were at all competitive with each other. In a recent conference call interview Olivia, who won the title and the $250,000 cash prize, answered our questions about going head-to-head against her sister and best friend.

She admitted there was a healthy competition going on, "It was always one of those things that we came in together but at the same time it was like, 'She’s never just going to let me win anything, and I’m never just going to let her win anything either.' It’s always good, healthy sibling rivalry."

But she also said, "The thing that’s really special about [our] relationship is that we’re able to rejoice and celebrate with one another. And that’s important. Even though there were times that she would win things and I wouldn’t or she would do better on the scale and I wouldn’t, we would take the time to really rejoice with that person." She added that when one did beat the other on a certain task or on at a weigh in, it just encouraged the other to better the next time. "That sibling rivalry definitely pushed us through many, many times at the ranch."

The competitive spirit got even a little more intense during the last few weeks before the finale and they stopped sharing their weight loss numbers. Olivia explained, "When we first training and we left the ranch, we were open, and then it got to the end and it started getting a little competitive and we both decided, 'Let’s just let it be what it’s going to be. Let’s continue to work hard.' So we would still talk everyday and tell each other what we were doing for workouts, but we didn’t talk about the [numbers]. I had a feeling, and she felt the same way, that it was going to be a photo finish, which it ended up being, but we had no idea exactly which way it was going to go."

And while no plans are set in stone to share the prize money Olivia promised her sister would benefit from her new found wealth. "I share pretty much everything with Hannah my whole life, as far as clothes, we go on vacations together, so I definitely will be sharing all my blessings with Hannah. And I’m sure she wouldn’t object to going on a vacation or something together on my dime."

Olivia has said on numerous occasions that there is no one else she would have rather taken this journey with. "There’s just nothing like the bond of sisterhood. There just is nothing like it… We can look at one another without even speaking and have complete conversations. And so to be up there and to be looking at her and her telling me that she’s proud of me and she loves me, and knowing that’s 100% true. Looking at her and being able to reciprocate that was so incredibly special."

She continued, "It’s very, very hard to explain to people what it was like being on the ranch for so long and going through all the challenges day in and out. And I had my best friend and my family there with me every day. We shared a room. Even where there was plenty of rooms for us to separate into separate rooms we decided not to. We stayed in the same room with the two little twin beds in it for over eight months, and I loved every minute of it. So to share this with her has been one of the biggest gifts that I received at The Biggest Loser."

And it's not the last of the dynamic duo. Olivia acknowledged, "Hannah and I are so great together and our story is so unique and we have such an interesting point of view that I think people want to be encouraged and they want to hear about our journey. And so we will definitely get out there and do some public speaking and meet people and encourage people who want to be encouraged or want to learn what we’ve learned."

She added, "I don’t know exactly what kind of business that will turn into, but it is definitely going to be something we are going to very aggressively pursue and we’re really excited about that, because we love working together, and feel like there’s a lot of people who’d like to see us out there together."

For related stories check out:
An Interview with Austin Andrews from The Biggest Loser
Jen Jacobs' Biggest Loser Emotional Journey
Justin Pope is Not The Biggest Loser


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This Week's Most Inspirational Pop Culture Moments

Photo by Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

A talk show host turns Playboy Bunny for charity, a TV star pleas for the chimps and a fascinator sells for a good cause. Here are this week’s most inspirational pop culture moments.

Ellen Dons a Playboy Bunny Outfit for Charity

Ellen DeGeneres was up to her old (card) tricks again — raising more money for charity. This time she hit the Vegas strip at the Playboy Club in the Palms Hotel. She donned a Bunny outfit complete with ears and cottontail, although she passed on the strapless leotard in favor of a refined tuxedo shirt, vest and bowtie.

Playboy Bunny Maxine gave her lesson in dealing Blackjack and the talk show host became a certified dealer. In her new role as a celebrity bunny DeGeneres had only one goal in mind — to raise money for two charities near and dear to her, The Gentle Barn and The Farm Sanctuary. Both organizations operate rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuaries for abused and abandoned animals. In addition to the typical dogs and cats, these farms rescue horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and more. 

Aided by an abacus and a calculator to her help her add the face values of the cards, Ellen dealt numerous hands  of Blackjack to the Playboy patrons. She did her best to keep them winning, laughing and filling the tip jar. She even sold her ears and tail when the event was winding down. At the end of the day the Palms presented her with a check for $10,000.

 

For more inspirational pop culture moments visit Beliefnet Idol Chatter.

This Is Not Your Nephew’s Video Game

 

  Courtesy of Rockstar Games

We have to admit that video games really aren’t thing. To put it in perspective, the last time we actually were hooked on them Pac-Man had just donned a bow for the first time. The modern beat ‘em up, shoot ‘em up style just doesn’t appeal to us. But then came L.A. Noire.

This game is a nod to the classic Noir films like The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep. Set in 1947 Los Angeles it’s like getting to be a virtual character in Curtis Hanson’s L.A. Confidential.

The player starts off as patrolman Cole Phelps and rises through the ranks — ultimately serving as a traffic detective, homicide detective, vice agent and arson investigator. Sure there’s the requisite amount of video game fighting to be done but problem solving and sleuthing skills come into play as well.

Plus it looks super slick in an old movie kind of way not common in the gaming world. And the music will put you in a Noir mood, too. The soundtrack includes new tracks written by The Real Tuesday Weld and performed by German singer Claudia Brücken. But it also relies on original recordings by jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to help set the tone.

Finally a grown-up game has arrived. Rockstar Games’ L.A. Noire is available for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 and is in stores now.

For more pop culture stories read:

Pop Culture Passionistas: Tom Hanks is a Lot of Animals

Beck Shares His Record Club with Fans

The Rockin’ Band Name Generator App

 

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Our Favorite Routines from So You Think You Can Dance

Robert Roldan and Allison Holker. Photo by Mathieu Young/FOX

Tonight is the season eight premiere of So You Think You Can Dance. And if you believe the commercials, the talent is better than ever before. Given the quality of dancers last season and the prior years, we do find that a little hard to believe. But knowing what a great vehicle the show is to expose these otherwise unknowns to millions of fans, it only makes sense that the b-boys, tappers, krumpers and ballerinas are crawling out of the woodwork to get on the show. So while we wait to see how this year's dancers measure up, here's a list of our favorite SYTYCD routines to date.

10. Jeanine Mason and Jason Glover — "If It Kills Me" by Jason Mraz
Choreographed by Travis Wall
In season five, the runner-up from season two, Travis Wall, returned to SYTYCD to make his debut as a choreographer. His first routine was a contemporary number performed by Jeanine Mason and Jason Glover, who told the story of two young lovers sharing a passionate dance, a necklace and a kiss. Jeanine went on to win that season and Wall has become one of the show's most treasured choreographers.

9. Benji Schwimmer and Heidi Groskreutz — "Black Mambo" by Angel and the Mambokats
Choreographed by Alex Da Silva
Benji and Heidi may have had a slightly unfair advantage because they have been dancing together since they were kids. But their mambo with it's flawless lines, crisp moves and little bit of flair helped propel Benji to the title in season two.

8. Kayla Radomski and Kupono Aweau — "Gravity" by Sarah Bareilles
Choreographed by Mia Michaels
Kupono's quirkiness and Kayla's strength were the perfect combination for this Mia Michaels contemporary routine about a struggling addict destroying his partner. The powerful season five dance won a 2010 Emmy for Mia.

7. Chelsie Hightower and Mark Kanemura — "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis
Choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha D'umo
Known to fans as "The Briefcase" this season four hip hop routine enacted the emotional breakdown of a woman fighting to keep her workaholic man at home. NappyTabs was nominated for an Emmy for this routine but lost out to fellow SYTYCD choreographer Tyce Dioro.

6. Sabra Johnson and Neil Haskell — "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics
Choreographed by Mandy Moore
This boardroom struggle for corporate power found season three's Sabra and Neil dancing around a table in a jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore. Moore was nominated for an Emmy for the number, Neil landed in third place for the season and Sabra took the crown that year.

5. Kent Boyd and Neil Haskell — "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa
Choreographed by Travis Wall
Season seven paired the contestants with past seasons' all-satr dancers, thus the match up of Neil from season three with current competitor Kent. In this heartbreaking contemporary piece, the two forceful male dancers told the story of two friends who became enemies. Nineteen-year-old Kent went on to take second place in the finals.

4. Melissa Sandvig and Ade Obayomi — "This Woman's Work" by Maxwell
Choreographed by Tyce Diorio
In this contemporary piece Melissa took on their role of a women fighting cancer and Ade was her support system. The gut-wrenching season five routine left every judge, audience member and viewer in tears.

3. Heidi Groskreutz and Travis Wall — "Calling You" by Celine Dion
Choreographed by Mia Michaels
Before he was choreographer extraordinaire on SYTYCD, Travis Wall was a competitor on season two. And this stunning contemporary number helped propel him to a second place showing. Known to fans as "The Bench," Travis and Heidi embraced the parts of heartbroken lovers, who ended their relationship on a park bench. Mia Michaels won an Emmy for the routine.

2. Robert Roldan and Allison Holker — "Fix You" by Coldplay
Choreographed by Travis Wall
In this stirring season seven contemporary piece Allison represented Travis' mom who had just recovered from surgery. Robert played the role of her supportive son Travis. The judges were driven to tears as the emotions poured out of Robert, who had been through a similar journey with his own mother.

1. Lacey Schwimmer and Neil Haskell — "Time" by Billy Porter
Choreographed by Mia Michaels
Mia Michaels created this contemporary routine for her father who had passed away in 2005. In it she imagined what it would be like when they are reunited in heaven. Season three dancers Lacey Schwimmer and Neil Haskell performed the piece with the perfect grace and tenderness befitting the touching tribute.

For related stories check out:
So You Think You Can Dance Off to Great Start
National Dance Day in Los Angeles


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