Reality Television All-Stars

I want to take the time to pay tribute to all of the entertaining and colorful characters that bring life to one my guilty pleasures – reality television. As I’ve stated before, I’m a bit highbrow when it come to my reality programming. I endorse programs that promote a true vocation or skills that result in a career opportunity or cash winnings. I’m not into being a voyeur in someone’s downfall like Being Bobby Brown or the Anna Nicole Smith Show. I also live for programs that give you a glimpse into other worlds or professions.

Reality television wouldn’t be the same without these brave and often hilarious people. I call them the Reality Television All-Stars. They run the gamut but are all exception in what they do. Bravo!

Dog the Bounty Hunter

If you haven’t seen this thrilling show of a leather-faced bounty hunter in Hawaii and his wacky relatives, you’ve missed great television. On first glance, he seems to be a caricature with his bleach-blonde mullet with feathers, tight black jeans, black wife beater and classic 70s cowboy boots. In reality, he’s very compassionate. He’s the Dr. Phil of bounty hunters. He can tap into the emotions of fragile meth addicts in 30 seconds. His wife Beth is a low rent Mae West. To give you another visualization, Beth can be mistaken for a female wrestler. Dog has an extended clan that puts Ma and Pa Kettle to shame. His show is a funny look into the triumphs and pitfalls of the bounty industry.

The Dog Whisperer

Cesar Millan is a friggin’ genius. Let me just say that his dog psychology techniques can be used on small children and husbands. I’m not gonna say how I know this but they do. Cesar can break down a yippy mutt with his mere presence. His practice of calm assertive power has made me want to become the leader of my pack. The best moments on the show are watching his utter disgust and amazement when he has to explain to dog owners that the dog is in fact a dog and not their child. People are also astonished to know that they actually need to walk their dog for it to be well adjusted. By the way, I love this program and I don’t have a dog.

Tim Gunn

Project Runway’s resident mentor is a class act. He’s bright, dry humored and impeccable. He’s so succint in his words and manners. Tim is extremely upright. He’s like the Tin Man in a Brooks Brothers suit. His directive of ‘make it work’ is timeless and usually sends the designers into a creative frenzy. It’s worth watching the show for him alone. What a delight. Check out his blog.

Mike Rowe

The Dirty Jobs host is not only adventurous; he’s incredibly hunky in that working class man’s man kind of way. For those who haven’t seen Dirty Jobs, Mike takes up viewers on their ideas of what they consider a dirty job. During a recent marathon, I saw him sort trash at a recycling plant, mine for coal in West Virginia and fry pig skin at a roadside restaurant. He even came face-to-face with pissed off monkeys in Africa that left him with razor-like gashes. His sense of humor is reason enough to tune in- and his smile.

Ms. & Mr. J

No, they aren’t a new crimefighting duo. The two Js make up the creative team on America’s Next Top Model. J Alexander is the genderbending runway coach and judge to the model wannabes. Jay Manual is the flawless innovative force behind their photo shoots and the occasional ‘girlfriend’ who has to keep it real with the models. Combine these two personalities and you have comic perfection.

Who's your All-Star team?