Let me start by saying this: I generally steer clear of reality shows. I don’t have anything in particular against them…I don’t think they’re the lowest form of entertainment like some out there do, if the show is done well. I do enjoy some game shows, though…and Japanese game shows like MXC are right up my juvenile-humor-alley.

I hadn’t read much about the show ahead of time, so I didn’t realize until yesterday morning that it was really more of a reality show than a game show, but when I finally did discover this, I thought it would be an intriguing mix…the idea that these contestants would unknowingly be shipped away to Japan and, again unknowingly, compete on a typically bizarre Japanese game show.

And I think I was right. I was cackling during the mocchi balls competition, and actually found myself caring about the contestants during the more “reality” moments…hating Cathy, feeling sorry for Darcy even though she deserved to go home, lusting after Meaghan…you know, the usual reality show feelings.

My only real complaint is that it seemed a bit too weighted toward the reality end of the scale. I know that, in the current entertainment climate, reality is king. But I was far more entertained by the game show side of things. I do think I’ll stick with it for a while though.

At least until Meaghan goes home.

Last weekend Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock” attracted more than 16.2 million viewers. As you can imagine - Disney is keen on getting Camp Rock 2 underway as soon as humanly possible. The sequel has been officially greenlit, although it will be a while before shooting can begin on “Camp Rock 2: Rock Harder” (not actual title).

The Jonas Brothers have an incredibly busy schedule with touring, so it looks like it will be summer of 2009 before the sequel can even begin shooting. There is no word on just what the plot for the sequel might be, but you can expect the same Disney-filled magic that made the first one such a hit among the ever growing “tween” market.

“I Survived a Japanese Game Show” has the potential to be an amazing good reality show.

What?

It DOES!

It also has the potential to be a hideous and awful game show. It depends entirely on how the producer’s cast the show, and how it is presented to us.

The concept of taking a group of people who have no idea where they’re going and what they’re doing, then sticking them on a plane an immersing them, unsuspectingly, into another culture really could be an interesting program - if they cast the kind of people that might be interested in that type of thing. If they cast a bunch of hillbillies then this thing is going to be unwatchable.

The cast of this reality show is scooped up out of Hollywood and transported across the world to Japan, where they compete on a Japanese game show called Majide. I can’t find any record of Majide on YouTube, so it may have been created just for this US show - I have no idea.

The video above is from an unknown (to me anyway) Japanese game show, just to give you an idea of what they do on Japanese game shows…and it’s a doozy. I’m looking forward to watching this new program and seeing if its just plain terrible, or as interesting as it could be.

If you’re interested in travel, you might want to check out our new sister blog, Travel Brook.

Kevin Sorbo is going to be popping up on “The Middleman” this summer according to TV Guide. You may remember Sorbo from both this “Hercules” and “Andromeda” series from the 90s/ early 00s. Who am I kidding? Of COURSE you remember Kevin Sorbo…and you, no doubt, think of his starring role in “Kull The Conqueror” when he comes to mind…or is that just me?

Anyway, Sorbo is going to be playing a Middleman from 1969 who has been cryogenically frozen. The frozen hero is called into action when his old nemesis, “The Candle” causes problems for the current Middleman.

There is no word on the length of Sorbo’s stay on the show, but is expected to be one time guest appearance…for now, at least.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last week, I’m sure you’ve heard of the untimely passing of “Meet the Press” host Tim Russert. NBC is still looking for a permanent replacement for Russert, but for this week at least, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will be the show’s moderator.

Williams is an excellent choice for a program like this, and I’d honestly like to see him in the role permanently, although I would imagine he’s pretty busy with the Nightly News.

There is no word yet on who NBC might be looking at as a permanent replacement just yet. Chances are they’ll be looking for a while.

Peter Tolan is a writer credited with many episodes of “The Larry Sanders Show” which was a great one-camera sitcom on HBO about life behind the scenes of a Carson-esq Late Night talk show.

Matthew Perry was - you know - that guy from Friends, who was also in a show called “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” which was about the behind the scenes goings on of a SNL-esq show.

Well, these two gentlemen have gotten together and co-created “Steve” a new sitcom for Showtime that is about the goings on of a local afternoon talk show according to AICN.

There seems to be a running theme here…

I’m looking forward to hearing more about this project as development on the series continues.

The 17 year old star of “Zoey 101″ gave birth to a 7 lbs, 11oz, little girl she named “Maddie” on Thursday morning.

Reports say that big sister Britney Spears was at Jamie Lynn’s side after having flown home earlier in the week. They did not mention where 19-year-old fiancé, Casey Aldridge was during the delivery, but it is assumed that he was present as well.

The series, “Zoey 101″ had already wrapped with a 4th season and a tv-movie closing out the show’s storyline. There is no word on what is next for the younger Spears’ sister, but we’re sure the celebrity magazines, blogs, and television shows will show us virtually her ever move over the coming weeks.

“Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus has been tapped to host the 2008 Teen Choice Awards. In addition to her hosting duties she is up for 3 awards.

Cyrus has recently been through the wringer as far as the tabloids go with pictures surfacing on My Space as well as in Vanity Fair that were slightly more “grown up” than the parents of her fan base would like.

It must be hard growing up in the public eye like this. Still, Cyrus seems infinitely more intelligent than Brittany Spears, so maybe she can make it through all of this mess without shaving her head and attacking people with umbrellas.

Of course, none of that has anything to do with the Teen Choice Awards - but…whatever.

David Letterman has had better days…as far as ratings go anyway. Recently even Nightline managed to stomp him in the ratings which is just plain sad. I tried watching Dave back during the Writer’s strike - but well…it was difficult.

Still, every now and again a segment of his will make its way online and we’ll see the old Dave we all know and love. Stephen Pratt is some goofball from the show “The Hills”. I don’t know why this show exists or how moron ended up on David Letterman, but he’s there…and Dave just can’t stand him. He tries to hide it, but after the guy reveals that he faked interest in one of the girls on the show to get on it himself, Dave just can’t stand it…and just laughs in his face. Good stuff.

Disney Channel’s “most rockin’” original movie yet hits the small screen on Friday, June 20, 2008.

The tele-film stars the ridiculously popular Jonas Brothers as camp counselors returning to a music camp they loved as kids to find themselves, and a bit of inspiration for their music.

The film also stars Demi Lovato as Mitchie Torres a young girl who gets a once in a lifetime chance to attend this prestigious musical camp.

The film looks like Disney hopes it will be another High School Musical like phenomenon, and who knows? It might be.