Entertainment, TV, Television - Marine Corps Times

New reality, game shows vie to become network staples

In past Septembers, reality and game shows were treated like a family’s second-best dinner plates.

They were stored away for a while because new visitors were expected. They could be brought out later, as needed.

Now that has changed. New reality shows are part of the regular fall lineups.

This season brings five new ones on the big commercial networks — or six, if you count a Sunday offshoot of the CW. Here they are, chronologically:

• “America’s Toughest Jobs”:

Think of this as a “greatest hits” edition of cable reality shows. One week, the people are being ice-road truckers; the next, they’re trying oil wells or fishing boats.

Most of the contestants had been spending their days in cubicles. Now they tackle real work, with one person eliminated each week.

(NBC; started at 9 p.m. Mondays, scheduled to move to 8 p.m. Fridays on Sept. 19, concluding Oct. 10.)

• “Hole in the Wall”:

This may be year’s most bizarre arrival. A wall, with an odd-shaped hole, moves toward the contestant. The only choice is to wedge through it or get knocked into the water.

It’s become a big hit in Japan. Now Fox has temporarily nudged “Moment of Truth” off the schedule to make room.

• “Opportunity Knocks”:

Imagine a game show popping up in your front yard. That happens in this show from Ashton Kutcher’s company. A crew instantly assembles the set and neighbors gather as family members try to answer questions about each other.

(8 p.m. Tuesdays, ABC, Sept. 23)

• “Stylista”:

What’s it like to have a mean boss in a glamorous field?

“The Devil Wears Prada” faced that question semi-fictionally; now comes a reality-show variation. Contestants work for Anne Slowey, the fashion news director of Elle magazine. She admits she’s demanding and claims she’s nice. Here, she gives orders and eliminates people; the survivor wins (for a year) an Elle job, an apartment and a clothing allowance.

(9 p.m. Wednesdays, CW; Oct. 22)

• “Secret Millionaire”

Each week, we’ll see a rich person or couple move into a poor neighborhood. The newcomers will be undercover, looking for menial work.

The experience is supposed to transform people on both sides. It will definitely affect the neighborhood: Before leaving, there will be a donation to people or to a group.

(Fox, 9 p.m. Thursdays, after debuting 8-10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3)

Also: Another reality show appears on the turf in which a separate company is using CW time on Sundays. “In Harm’s Way,” hosted by former Navy fighter pilot Hunter Ellis, views oil-well cappers, Coast Guard rescuers and more. It debuts at 7 p.m. Sept. 21; in November, it slides to 6:30 p.m.