new age-related stories
Posted Dec 22nd 2008 11:22AM by Eliot Glazer
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, OpEd, Daytime, Short-Lived Shows, Retro Squad

Rare is the episode of reality television that ends without a character seen having shed tears, made a vigilant declaration, or used pop psychological jargon lifted straight from the self-help section (see "I'm a very sexual person," "We share an energy," and "There's more to me than people might think").
For me, that phony vernacular of new age buzzwords that culminate in testimonials of poorly-worded self-expression are simultaneously the best and worst
elements of a reality show. Naturally, that's what made
Starting Over one of the few reality shows I could not only tolerate, but
adore.
Continue reading Please restart Starting Over - VIDEO
Posted Aug 14th 2008 11:41AM by Allison Waldman
Filed under: Celebrities, Talk Show, Ratings, TV Squad Lists, Reality-Free

Recently, TV columnist Aaron Barnhart took note of the fact that
Oprah Winfrey's show is sinking in the ratings. Her talk show, which is the centerpiece of her multimedia success -- a success that has made her the richest woman in show business -- has been losing ratings consistently for the last six months. At first blush, the politically minded of you might think it's because she endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, but I think it's more than that. After all, if anything, the vast amount of grassroots support that the Senator from Illinois has engendered might be a plus for Oprah rather than a minus.
Therefore, there have to be other factors to explain why Oprah's landmark TV talk show has lost its luster -- at least ratings-wise. I've come up with six possible reasons.
Continue reading Why is Oprah's show in a slump?
Posted Aug 17th 2006 9:55AM by Michael Sciannamea
Filed under: Other Reality Shows, FX
(S02E04) This episode focuses on Tom, a 37-year-old salesman from New Jersey who has problems managing the stresses in his life. He's got a high-pressure job, he's divorced with a 7-year-old daughter, and his girlfriend Misti seems to be somewhat of a controlling type of person.
Tom decides to try out some New Age healing practices over the next 30 days in order to reduce his stress and hopefully improve his outlook on life. Misti is skeptical because she thinks that Tom will be supplanting his Christianity for "black magick" and other practices. Tom then meets with a life coach who will help map out a strategy for the next 30 days and to open his conciousness, which means attending and participating in a number of New Age rituals.
Continue reading 30 Days: New Age