TVSquad

With the latest seasons of Survivor, The Amazing Race, and American Idol wrapping up, fans patiently have to wait until the fall or spring 2010 for their favorite shows to return. But why wait? Several reality TV shows debut in the summer both as lighter fare than fall shows and a way to test for target audiences.

If one recalls, several summer reality TV shows have eventually moved to prime real estate in the fall or spring. If rumors are true the summer favorite So You Think You Can Dance will be the next to move, airing in the summer and fall.

Here are some alternatives for your favorite reality TV shows.

If you like: Survivor
I Suggest Watching: I Survived A Japanese Game Show (ABC) – I wasn't expecting much from I Survived a Japanese Game Show last year and the show didn't disappoint. The show had a sweet angle: the contestants learned something about Japanese culture. Both the rewards and punishment were both learning experiences and everyone felt like they came away learning something even if they were eliminated. The contestants were eliminated in duels so a person couldn't be blindsided either.

If you like: The beginning half of American Idol
I Suggest Watching: The Singing Bee (CMT) – What's not to love about karaoke? I always thought that The Singing Bee was better than Don't Forget the Lyrics because of it's campiness and lack of Wayne Brady. The caveat is the fact that now the show is on CMT they promise that 60% of the music will be country. Now if only the contestants could drink while playing, we'd have a show.
If you don't have cable (or like country music): Try America's Got Talent on NBC because they are probably going to capitalize on the Susan Boyle explosion and find a good, but ugly, singer.

If you like: Dancing with the Stars
I Suggest: So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – There's no need for explanation here. The contestants picked are all great dancers to begin with. Also remember that Lacey Schwimmer, Chelsie Hightower, and Dmitri Chaplin have all become professionals on the show, while others like Snow Urbin and Artem Chigvinsev have guest appeared in dances. This show also gets away with several dance styles you won't see on DWTS; I hope that Bollywood makes a return this year.

If you like: The Biggest Loser
I Suggest: Dance Your Ass Off (Oxygen) – Apparently fat people will attempt to lose weight by dancing. It worked for celebrities on DWTS (Tia Carerre lost her baby fat; Steve Wozniak visibly lost weight during his run) so why not have the masses lose weight the same way? This show will probably get away with the novel idea of fat people dancing at first and then the sheer evolution of contestants will draw viewers in.
If you don't have cable: Go outside and lose weight.

If you like: The Amazing Race (or The Eco Challenge)
I Suggest: Expedition Africa: Stanley and Livingstone (History Channel) – This show has more survival than Survivor, but it's all about getting lost. Sure there is no airport drama but there is definitely personal drama between the four adventurers. I'm hoping that the History Channel can actually embed some historical/geographical information about Africa and not just focus on the trip.
If you don't have cable: I Survived A Japanese Game Show – For pure culture shock moments.

If you like: Celebrities doing something unrelated to their careers (Celebrity Apprentice or Dancing with the Stars)
I Suggest: The Superstars (ABC) – Instead of dancing or white collar action, Celebrities will have to be physical and learn different sports. I really hope that Curling is one of them. The show is supposed to air for six episodes, so I'm hoping that they can get better named celebrities than I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!