TVSquad

(S05E03) My reviews of Last Comic Standing are going to be a bit different from Jay's so be forewarned. First of all, the entire premise of LCS is flawed both as a television production and as a talent contest. The main problem is that the show (like all reality shows) is so heavily edited that you only see what the producers want you to see. Now, that's fine for Big Brother or Survivor, but for a show that is supposed to be looking for talent it defeats the purpose. It would make more sense if the show were more like American Idol with performances from all the comics in every show, but to ask any comedian to come up with a new ten minutes every week is unfair, therefore it is what it is.

NBC may have canceled Andy Barker, P.I., The Black Donnellys, and (probably) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, but they seem to have a hard on for reality shows, and more are coming this summer.

Returning reality shows include America's Got Talent, which has a new host ... Jerry Springer. Expect the throwing of chairs and DNA tests to be "talents" this season, which starts May 29. The Biggest Loser, which returns for a fourth season late in the summer with new host Allison Sweeney (Days Of Our Lives). It still amazes me that a show about fat people losing weight can be a hit and last for four seasons. Before The Biggest Loser returns, we'll get another season of Last Comic Standing, which will also have a new host, Bill Bellamy. It returns on June 13. And then we have the new show Age of Love, a "new twist on the reality dating show format" (yeah, right). It will be hosted by Mark Consuelos.

This just shows us how accurate Studio 60 was, with that whole plot involving the new VP of alternative programming at NBS pitching a show titled All You Need Is Love. NBC says that Age of Love will be "bringing romance back to television." Oh, I can hardly wait.