David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place. Shaq throws up a brick
“Shaq’s Big Challenge,” ABC’s latest reality dud featuring Shaquille O’Neal running a fat farm for kids, tanked as badly as the Heat did against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. 4.4 million undiscerning viewers tuned in.
Shaq, at least, didn’t humiliate himself like Mark Burnett and Steven Spielberg did with the latest installment of “On the Lot,” which drew a pittance of 1.29 million viewers. While E! might be delighted to lure that many viewers, Fox executives must be breaking out the Quietus®.
Anyway, why can’t the creators of these lame summer reality shows at least try to come up with a decent title for their dreck? The titles are pandering and treat audiences like children: “Shaq’s Big Challenge,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” (upcoming on Fox), “America’s Got Talent,” “The Next Best Thing,” “Fast Cars and Superstars,” “Age of Love” and, of course, “National Bingo Night.” It’s as if the shows’ producers, while desultorily pitching their ideas, thought they'd save some time and make the programs’ concept its title, as well.