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From the sexiest dog to the sexiest body, the wave that is reality TV will be crashing into living rooms nationwide this month.
As reality television programs continue their march across networks' schedules, they are slowly easing out a batch of traditional one-hour dramas as TV executives try to quench the growing appetite for sexy and fleshy shows.
At least a half-dozen traditional dramas this season already have fallen by the wayside, including "Queens Supreme," "MDs," "That Was Then," "Push, Nevada," "Dinotopia," and "Presidio Med."
Low-rated dramas close to the chopping block include "Mister Sterling," "Veritas" and "Mir-acles."
Meanwhile, networks fill many of those voids with a variety of so-called reality, and viewers continue to flock to them in near-record numbers.
The recent season premiere of Fox's "American Idol," for example, reached a staggering 37 percent of young adults who were watching TV.
Besides delivering an immediate ratings punch, reality programs also serve as platforms for networks to promote other shows to new audiences.
"They bring you new people, who don't normally watch your network or are harder to reach," said John Spinola, vice president and general manager of West Palm Beach Fox affiliate WFLX Channel 29. A February reality show sampler:
Feb. 13: "Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People," airing at 9 p.m. on ABC.
Following a nationwide search, contestants will be mercilessly evaluated by a panel of experts who, we're told, have their fingers on the pulse of American pop culture, beauty and style.
We're apparently not talking about the checkered-shorts-wearing coupon-clippers who hold up the line at Walgreens on Sunday mornings. Reality show people, you see, are dripping in hipness.
As with most of these shows, viewers of "Are You Hot?" will get to express their opinions via a Web site and vote for their favorites.
Sixteen finalists will be flown to Los Angeles for high-end makeovers and more intense judgment of their physical beauty.
"Tensions will rise to a fever pitch," ABC tells us, as the group is whittled down and two winners - a man and a woman - are crowned "The Sexiest People in America."
Feb. 13: "Survivor VI: Amazon" debuts at 8 p.m. on CBS. The granddaddy of reality series originates this time around from South America.
Feb. 17: "Joe Millionaire" wraps up with a two-hour special at 8 p.m. on Fox. What will happen when the winning woman discovers her "millionaire" beau isn't rolling in dough, but is a $19,000-a-year backhoe operator?
Feb. 19: "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" debuts at 10 p.m. on ABC. This interactive series will tie up viewers' attention for 15 consecutive days (or so ABC hopes), airing live from Australia.
The hook: Celebrities leave behind their pampered lives for weeks of roughing it in a remote outpost of the Australian rain forest. This little number is based on a successful British program of the same name.
Viewers in America will vote to "control the action," according to ABC, via the phone and Internet. The celebrities will live out in the open, sleep on makeshift cots in primitive conditions and trade their usual meals for a diet of rice, beans and water.
A sole remaining celeb will emerge as the king or queen of the jungle and win a "sizable" (ABC isn't saying how much) sum for their favorite charity. The network has lined up mostly B-grade celebrities: Melissa Rivers, fashion critic-of-the-stars and daughter of Joan Rivers; "Stuttering John," the sidekick to radio's Howard Stern; Olympic champion Bruce Jenner; Robin Leach, former host of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and model Tyson Beckford.
Standup comic John Lehr will be host.
The series airs through March 5 at various times each night. Feb. 19: "The Bachelorette" wraps up with its season finale at 8 p.m. Trista selects the man of her dreams.
Feb. 19 and 21: "Star Search II" debuts, time to be announced. This last-minute addition to the CBS schedule replaces two little-watched dramas, "Presidio Med" and the short-lived "Queens Supreme."
March 3: "Miss Dog America," a one-night-only special, airs at 9 p.m. on Fox. But don't worry, it's not Ugly Women U.S.A. Nope. It's a dog - as in puppy - pageant.
March 10: "Married by America" is yet another new relationship-reality series. It's set to debut at 8 p.m. on Fox.
The network bills this latest effort as a "groundbreaking reality-based series where participants get a chance to meet their perfect mate - using the American viewing public as matchmaker."
With the help of relationship experts, potential mates will be hand-picked for each participant. Their friends and family will have the chance to meet the potential mates and narrow them down to two.
Meanwhile, the home audience will be given the opportunity to weigh in and make the final decision as to which of these partners is the perfect match. The couples will then be officially engaged and spend the next weeks' episodes getting to know one another before making the final decision whether to tie the knot.
On March 17, the series moves to 9 p.m. Mondays.
NBC has no new reality series planned for February, according to the network and its local affiliate WPTV Channel 5.
But this summer, the Peacock network plans to roll out seven new reality programs, and likely will return the animal-injecting contestants in the name of "Fear Factor."
They include (all premiere dates TBA):
"Next Action Star" - A 10-episode series that tests contestants' physical and psychological prowess as well as their acting and star potential.
Tryouts were held Jan. 30 in Miami Beach, among other cities.
"The Restaurant" - This "reality drama" focuses on the opening of a New York City eatery with all of the "ups and downs" of the chef.
"The Fast and Furious" - A race-type reality show centering on street racing.
NBC wouldn't reveal much on the remaining four titles, but you'll be able to glean the general idea for each: "The Love Shack," "Around the World in 80 Dates," "Last Comic Standing" and "Race to the Altar."
Tune in for the Real Thing
"Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People," series premiere, 9 p.m. Thursday, ABC
"Survivor VI: Amazon," season premiere, 8 p.m. Thursday, CBS.
"Joe Millionaire" conclusion, 8 p.m. Monday, ABC.
"I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!" series premiere, 10 p.m. Feb. 19, ABC.
"The Bachelorette," conclusion, 8 p.m. Feb. 19, ABC.
"Star Search II," season premiere, 8 p.m. Feb. 19 and 21.
"Miss Dog America," special, 9 p.m. March 3, Fox.
"Married by America," series premiere, 9 p.m. March 10, Fox.
CREDIT: BOB BETCHER In Tune
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