Archive through August 31, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archive: Joe Schomoe (ARCHIVES):
Archive through August 31, 2003
Wilsonatmd | Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 01:18 pm     This sounds really funny. This is a parody of reality shows basically. One person thinks he's part of a legit reality show, when in fact, everyone else- the other contestants, the host- are actors. The idea is that the others are broad parodies of sterotypical reality show contestants-the cute one, the grizzled old guy, the instigator, etc. and the idea is to drive this poor guy nuts. The producers aren't new to reality- Stone/Stanley who have done shows like "The Mole", "Popstars" and "Fame", and they're working with a producer from "Big Brother 2"...should be fun...here's the article on it. http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/166.htm THE TV OF CRUELTY TAKES NASTY TURN WITH 'JOE SCHMO' By DAVID K. LI -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 10, 2003 -- 'JOE Schmo" offers the newest reality- show twist, where everyone's in on the joke - except one poor "schmo." In "Joe Schmo" (debuting Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. on Spike TV), producers will set up their mark, law-school dropout Matt Kennedy Gould, convincing him he's been cast on a "Big Brother"-style reality show called "Lap of Luxury." Gould believes he's competing for $100,000. The twist is that his housemates and competitors are actually actors - manipulating him for all the laughs they can muster. " We were all concerned with the fact that we are doing a play, in essence, for an audience of one - Matt," said Ralph Garman, the pretend host of "Lap of Luxury." "Our priority really was to provide the most convincing world we could for him." Writers and actors had a daily challenge to roll with the punches as Gould zigged when they thought he'd zag. "This comes out in the show. Everything that was scripted on the page but [Gould] reacted either the opposite way - or in way we never predicted," said David Stanley, who with partner Scott Stone has made such reality shows as "Fame" and "The Mole." The show, created by screenwriter Rhett Reese ("Monsters Inc.") and producer Paul Wernick ("Big Brother 2," "The Chair"), leans heavily on reality TV cliches. There's the smarmy, overbearing host; an elaborate dismissal ceremony; and the typical array of reality TV personalities - including the trying-too-hard-to-be-your-buddy guy, the bitchy young girl, the belligerent jerk and the grizzled retired Marine. |
Ryn | Friday, July 11, 2003 - 11:39 pm     Sounds like it will come along just as BB ends |
Pamy | Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 11:20 am     This does sound fun. One of our morning DJ's(KROQ's Ralph) is going to host this show and he has been talking about it. Sounds like it has all ready filmed. It must have turned out better than expected to air it in the fall instead of this summer. This show sounds like it will be better than BB!! |
Wilsonatmd | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 02:44 pm     OK.....more information. First off, they moved up the start date- it's now September 2nd. Here's the press release-I've had to edit a couple of words out for language: SPIKE TV'S 'The Joe Schmo Show' Puts New Twist on Reality Show Genre, Where Only One Contestant Is Real Television's Biggest and Riskiest Experiment Premieres Tuesday, September 2 It's the ultimate reality show ... yet it isn't real at all. Reality series are popular among men and Spike TV, the First Network for Men and Stone Stanley Entertainment have taken the concept to the next level with "The Joe Schmo Show," where only one contestant is real. This next wave in reality programming premieres with a two-hour event on Tuesday, September 2 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and then can be seen in its regular time slot on Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). "The Joe Schmo Show" combines elements from many reality shows found on TV ... except ours has one huge Secret -- only one contestant is real. Everyone else on the show, from the host to the other 'players', are actors following a predetermined outline. This series is one of television's biggest and riskiest experiments -- how would a naive reality contestant react to encountering a show filled with every outlandish element reality television has showcased? How far can producers push this 'reality,' and the ensuing ridiculous competitions? Will the actors be convincing enough? Will our unsuspecting "contestant" figure it all out? And if he does figure it out, how will he respond? Our show's hero is Matt Kennedy Gould. Think middle. Middle class. Middle America and middle of the road. Matt is your loveable handsome 'guy-next- door.' He's a nice guy and lots of fun to be around. He's our unsuspecting "contestant" and our wildcard element that this entire show revolves around. Matt Kennedy Gould is "Joe Schmo." A resident of Pittsburgh, PA, Matt recently dropped out of law school and is now working as a pizza delivery guy until he decides what he wants to do with his life. Matt was playing basketball when a casting director approached him to compete in a new reality TV series. Matt is the only non-actor of the entire house. Gould was told he was a contestant on "Lap of Luxury," a reality show in which he would live the life of the super-rich, pampered beyond his wildest dreams in a gorgeous, sprawling mansion while vying with eight other contestants for a grand prize of one hundred thousand dollars. As on many reality programs, the show features reward challenges. On "Lap of Luxury," these challenges are called "Pampering Competitions," games in which contestants "compete" for high-priced luxury items including flat screen televisions, vacations or simply the use of the mansion's master suite. The show also includes "Lord of the Manor Immunity Showdowns," in which contestants compete for immunity to avoid being "evicted" from the house. Both the "Pampering Competitions" and the "Immunity Showdowns" are parodies of similar elements in 'eviction style' reality shows and are completely rigged by the writers and producers. At the end of each typical episode, the "Lap of Luxury" pseudo-reality show holds a "Riches to Rags Eviction Ceremony," a "ritual" where castmates vote to evict one of their own. The evicted contestants 'Lap of Luxury Collectors Plate' is tossed into the fireplace, and the host deadpans: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, (fill in name), you are dead to us!" This over- dramatic ritual pokes fun at the melodrama of every major reality show, using extreme close-ups, histrionic music, and ridiculous, gut-wrenching moments of tension. Here's a glimpse of the colorful cast of characters in "The Joe Schmo Show" [all portrayed by actors]: * The A---- -- "The Hutch" "The Hutch" passes himself off as a cop, but he wasn't able to pass the Houston PD psych test -- so now he's a security cop at a mall. An authority-dispensing bully who has the ability to burrow under everyone's skin, Hutch's horrific hygiene and social habits make him the guy everyone loves to hate. * The Grizzled Veteran -- Earl Earl is a former Special-Ops veteran and he's seen it all, including a few things he'd probably rather forget. He's the strong, silent and sinewy type, and as one might expect, an intimidating presence. Like many of his generation, Earl doesn't adjust well to modern changes, possessing disdain for any "alternative" lifestyles. * The Gay Guy -- Kip Kip is the loveable doormat with a huge heart. Kip wears his emotions on his sleeve ... his collar ... and his boa scarf. He laughs, he cries and he keeps right on crying. He's the guy who wants a group hug. * The Rich B--- -- Ashleigh A little too beautiful and a little too smart, Ashleigh is just a little too eager to grind your heart with the heel of her expensive, high-heeled shoes. Having a good day? Don't worry, Ashleigh will fix that in no time flat. * The Quack -- Dr. Pat Though divorced three times with no children, Dr. Pat is a family and marriage counselor. Her theory on listening: "That's why God gave us two ears and one mouth." Unfortunately, Dr. Pat's actions make her seem as though she has no ears and five mouths. * The Virgin -- Molly Pure as the fresh snow and straight out of Sunday school, Molly is the stereotypical "goody two-shoes, complete with teddy bear T-shirts and old fashioned sayings like "Oh, my stars!" * The Schemer -- Gina Gina is the sexy spitfire who wants to win the game at all costs. She thinks she's a "reality show expert," but her frantic alliance-building tactic may backfire. * The Buddy -- Brian He's the guy that befriends Matt by becoming his buddy and sounding board. Brian's sharp and quick with a joke. He's the naturally funny guy. * The Host -- Ralph Garman A complete on-camera professional who isn't quite as smooth off-air. He's a bit of a prima donna -- prickly and difficult. Our host lost out to his nemesis Ryan Seacrest for the "American Idol" job and can't quite get over the fact that he's slumming by doing this cable gig. In addition to its weekly Tuesday premiere, "The Joe Schmo Show" encores on Sundays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) starting September 7. (I hear the "star" of the show was a little ticked off when everything was revealed...so much so he's supposedly refusing to do any interviews or other press things with the show) |
Hippyt | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 03:14 pm     What is Spike TV? I don't have it. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 03:22 pm     TNN changed it's name to SpikeTV. |
Calgaryperson | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 03:38 pm     HORRAY FOR Spike TV/The New TNN. I mean that, I like Spike TV. |
Hippyt | Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 03:50 pm     Oh,ok! Ok,I have that! Thanks! |
Sanfranjoshfan | Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 02:49 pm     My biggest problem is that the TV Guide (here in SF at any rate) does not list TNN or SpikeTV.....AT ALL! According to the TV Guide, there is no station that have either of those names! I fear this is a show that I will keep missing since I can NEVER see it listed in the TV GVuide. Damn TV Guide.... |
Pamy | Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 07:13 pm     I love the description for the host Ralph. It is funny cuz Ryan is an LA DJ and Ralph, on his radio show, has been making fun of him for years! This show sounds like a riot! |
Wilsonatmd | Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 06:38 pm     The Link 'Joe Schmo' Turns Reality TV on Ear with Twist By Ben Berkowitz LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It sounded like the ideal job for a college dropout-turned-pizza deliveryman in today's America: go on a reality TV show, live in a fancy house, spend time with good-looking women and vie for the chance to win a lot of money and national fame. Except the whole thing was an elaborate hoax, perpetrated on an unsuspecting "Joe Schmo" by a cast of actors and a team of producers known for reality competition shows and irreverent, male-oriented programming. "The Joe Schmo Show" premieres next Tuesday on Spike TV, culminating more than a year of work creating a reality series as elaborate as any that have aired on the mainstream broadcast networks. "I never had a question about whether we could pull it off; we had a question about whether we could find the right guy," David Stanley, one of the show's producers, told Reuters. That "right guy" turned out to be Matt Kennedy Gould, who was delivering pizzas in Pittsburgh after leaving law school. Enticed by the chance to appear on the show "Lap of Luxury" and compete for the chance to win $100,000, Gould signed on for what turned out to be a month in a mansion this June in southern California, competing in reality-style reward and immunity competitions and participating in evictions. Among the competitions Gould is asked to endure: "Hands on a High-Priced Hooker," where the contestant who keeps a hand on the prostitute for the longest wins; a talent show; and a mock sumo wrestling battle. "What we set out to do was to parody reality TV," said Rhett Reese, one of the show's creators and executive producers. STEREOTYPICAL CONTESTANTS The cast of eight "contestants" includes all of the most common reality show stereotypes, including "grizzled veteran" Earl, played by Franklin Dennis Jones; "schemer" Gina, portrayed by Nikki Davis; and "buddy" Brian, played by segment producer Brian Keith Etheridge. Producers saw 1,500 people for the cast, all of whom needed to be newer and unrecognizable talent so as not to give away the scam. "Joe Schmo" is "hosted" by Los Angeles radio personality Ralph Garman, playing "himself." Garman, best known for his work doing comic relief on the popular L.A. morning radio show "Kevin & Bean," said one of the biggest surprises of the program was finding he actually liked Gould. "It was definitely surprising that I developed some real genuine affection for Matt as we started working on the show," he told Reuters. But he also said it was difficult to try and maintain the fiction as time went by. "There were lots of moments where the show didn't go as planned ... there were plenty of moments where I thought the 'jig is up, this guy knows what's going on,"' he said. Scott Stone, Stanley's partner and another producer on the show, agreed that there were mixed emotions as the project rolled on. "All of us got to that point where we realized how vested he was in the show and the people around him, that we felt bad for the emotional rollercoaster he was going through," he said. Paul Wernick, a veteran news producer who with Reese co-created the show, was more blunt about the emotional impact. "There were times we wanted to stop the show," he said, though he also allowed that "the bottom line is Matt had the experience of a lifetime." But does Gould agree? He was not available for interviews about the show, and all of the producers declined to talk about how happy or unhappy he is, now that he knows that he was put up, for America's amusement, as a "Schmo." |
Sanfranjoshfan | Thursday, August 28, 2003 - 09:23 pm     I followed the link in the previous post and there was a picture of this Joe Schmoe guy.....is it just me or does this guy look a lot like BB4's Robert, only with eyebrows and better hair?
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Wilsonatmd | Friday, August 29, 2003 - 10:18 am     Spike tv has put up a small site on the show: http://www.spiketv.com/shows/joe_schmo/ mostly they have pictures of the other "contestants", and their cover stories. It's fun trying to think of what actual reality show contestants the other characters seem to be modeled after.....some you know right off the bat, others you have to think for a while, and some seem to be a mix of several people.....but of course, we have to see how they're gonna play it.....see if we can predict how the "outline" they're using is going to go. I personally think the "Reality expert" is going to be elminated first in the storyline, just because it always seems to go that way-the one who overthinks the game at the beginning is the first one to go. If not that one, then "the veteran" because if it's not the person who overplays the game, it's the oldest person. |
Kellirippa | Friday, August 29, 2003 - 11:23 am     I think he looks like Ray Romano! |
Pamy | Friday, August 29, 2003 - 01:20 pm     This week's Entertainment Weekly has a review of the show and gives it a B+. He says the show is not just a joke on the guy but a parody of the reality genre, pariodied near perfection!! Here's a quote from the article that cracked me up..'The Riches to Rags eviction ceremony alone(in which the smarmy host announces that 'One of you is about to say goodbye to high society and return to your sad existence..working for the Man")borders on genius! I agree!! Especially knowing the host is Ralph, who can pull of sarcasm better than most! I would love to hear Julie say that to Robert!! |
Jhezzie | Friday, August 29, 2003 - 05:15 pm     This one looks like fun, lol. |
Kitt | Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 01:19 pm     Sanfran, try KTNC if you have that listed, Comcast has that listed as Spike TV in my area and I'm not far away. |
Pamy | Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 02:43 pm     Sanfran.. also ck if your cable co has a website, then do a search for the show, or just call them. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 03:15 pm     Kitt and Pamy - Thanks for the tips.....but actually, I already know that Comcast has SpikeTV (formerly known as "TNN") and where it is....it's on channel 45 for me, on comcast digital cable. My rant was *not* that I can't find the actual channel on my cable service....my rant was about the fact that the durn hard copy TV Guide (a subscription for which I pay good money!) simply does not list SpikeTV or TNN.....anywhere at all! I have seen a mention or two of "Joe Schmoe" in the articles section in the front part of the magazine....but as far as it being listed in the schedules section? Nope, nada. zip! I just set up iCal (my calendar program) to give me a floating reminder message dialog box AND to send me an email reminder each week to remind me of it.....but I would really *prefer* that TV Guide listed it in their weekly mag! <rant over....again! > |
Pamy | Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 03:55 pm     OH!! I misunderstood!! I get TVGUIDE also, I call it my day planner! lol Just cked mine and your right, no sign of spike tv!! but on page 142 it has an ad saying NEW TV GUIDE sept 8. MORE CHANNELS, etc in the NEW TVUIDE....so maybe it will have it in the new edition. |
Sanfranjoshfan | Saturday, August 30, 2003 - 04:43 pm     Thanks Pamy - I hadn't noticed those ads in the TVGuide....hopefully, they will include Spiketv. |
Deesandy | Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 11:10 am     I THINK IT SOUNDS MEAN AND CRUEL AND I HOPE NOBODY WATCHES IT. WHEN ARE WE (AS A SOCIETY) GOING TO STOP GETTING ENJOYMENT AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS? |
Hippyt | Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 11:57 am     Ow,my virtual ears!!!!!!!!! |
Jhezzie | Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 01:28 pm     Ok, Deesandy. Now that you're done yelling at us, let's take a look at this "mean and cruel" show. Unless this guy is a mole, he knows what is possible in reality tv. He's looking to be on tv. Ah, fame. He's also looking for easy money, which is a bigger problem with "we (as a society)" than reality programing. I have little pity for people on this type of show. You wanna be rich and famous? Work hard at something. Strive to be the best at what you do. Don't be a hamster. |
Ric_Munoz | Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 01:36 pm     Definitely, Jhezzie--reality TV contestant slots are to lazy slobs what crack cocaine is to hardcore drug addicts. |
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