Reality (TV), the Next Generation
Hell’s Kitchen, one of the latest reality shows (Gordon Ramsay bloody rocks), finished last night. Not first food reality show (others including “The Restaurant”, “Into the Fire”, and even “Iron Chef”, depending on what you call “reality”). And it looks like America’s TV food fetish is just beginning, what with the new sitcom Kitchen Confidential starting this fall (both shows on Fox … coincidence?). I’m curious what Anthony Bourdain thinks of it (though I’d rather see a show based on Tony’s book, but somehow I don’t think it would have made prime time) … but I digress … today’s subject is reality television.
Now, I find reality television as amusing as the next person (when I have/find time to watch it, usually by accident), and I’ve fought like mad to keep from becoming an addict (I will admit that I really got into Rocco DiSpirito’s “The Restaurant” … for awhile, then it I found myself thinking Rocco an arrogant … well, anyway … I’m digressing again) …
… but I’m afraid that I can’t help myself: I found myself cooking up the next great American reality series:
Working Title: Royal Flush
Concept: One of the greats of Texas Hold’em (Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, Chris Moneymaker) take on a cadre of gambler wannabes from a variety of backgrounds (schoolteacher, truckdriver, computer programmer, priest, etc.), challenging them as they’re taught how to be the next great Hold’em champion. The last man standing wins a seat at the table at the World Series of Poker.
Why not? We’ve had chefs, boxers, bug-eaters, billionaires, executives, sports agents, and Hiltons (to name a few). Why not poker players?
Just remember: you heard it here first.
