pimblr.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AdAge.com) — The big top came to the small screen last night, as NBC’s “Celebrity Circus” became just the latest example of the networks working without a net as they try nearly every reality format to remain relevant during the summer. Indeed, the reality genre dominated, comprising 77% of prime-time programming. NBC, Fox and the CW ran all-reality slates; ABC ran two hours and CBS one.
While inexpensive, reality usually isn’t as rewarding, at least commercially, as it rarely repeats well, and a significant number of viewers reject the genre. The 8 p.m. ET hour, for instance, was all reality and earned only an 8.1/29 cumulative rating and share in the ad-centric 18-to-49 demographic among the five networks. It did begin the night’s highest-rated program, however, as a two-hour version of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance?” delivered a 3.4/11.
NBC ran the first hour of a 90-minute “Deal or No Deal,” which dealt the time slot — and the night overall — a 2.2/7. ABC, CBS and the CW also ran reality — but in repeat form — and had the expected results: ABC’s “Wife Swap” (1.4/5), CBS’s “Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular” (1.2/4) and the CW’s “America’s Next Top Model” (0.4/1) were all relatively uncompetitive.
The 9 p.m. ET hour was also replete with reality, as a rerun of “Supernanny” on ABC delivered a 1.5/4 and the CW’s “Farmer Wants a Wife” yielded a 0.8/2, as the network finished the night with a 0.6/2. The first half-hour of NBC’s “Circus” also ran within that time frame, delivering an overall 2.3/7, with the 10 p.m. portion winning its time slot. Overall, NBC was second with a 2.2/7.
One drama did run at 9 p.m., a rerun of CBS’s “Criminal Minds,” which delivered a 1.8/5, leading into a repeat of “CSI: NY” (2.1/6). CBS finished third, with a 1.7/5.

adage.com

American Idol. Season 7. Final Three. Three Songs. I’m so freakin excited, I think I might pop a vein. *Chill* Before the Show starts, Bitten would like a brief word with the Final Three, a pep talk of sorts. That’s right, let’s all huddle around now…
Squinty – Awright Archie, you know I like to make fun of your squinty-eyed Barry Manilow-singing McFetus ass, but I still think you’re talented and a good kid to boot. Because I like you (and because everything I say is important), I’m going to give you some sage advice, which I will condense into one simple word: Emancipation. You need to break free from Poppie Dearest now, or you are going to come home from school one day and find Jonah Crawford roasting the family jewels on wire hangers over an open fire. Oh, and if Cra-zee Dearest gives ya any crap, Bruiser Bitten would be happy to come over there and personally pop a jujitsu on his overbearing, cap-wearing ass. Or Palais will run him over with her Zamboni. Either way, ya really need to cut the cord, luv. That’s all.
Timex – Syesha, gurl, nobody in Season 7 knows the view from the stools quite like you, and yet you have somehow risen like a Phoenix from the ashes each and every week. So… let’s all give it up for Syesha, a standing O for the Energizer Bunny, the freakin Timex watch that takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. Yeah, Gurl, I’m going to let you in on a little secret… I want you in the Final Two. Granted, I want David Cook to douse your flame with a big ole bucket of wodka and then join me for a mud bath as we frolick about and do the Nasty in your ashes (…TMI?), but I still want you on the stage, which is truly saying something. After all, I think you’ve earned it.

tvfan.ew.com