Reality Beat: Bringing in The New Year
Docudrama: Many were taken aback by the horrific stories told by multiple women in the docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly. The 6 episode series features several women who grow the courage after so many years to recount their experiences with the famous singer, songwriter and record producer, R. Kelly. The Emmy nominated series brought in big ratings averaging out to a record-breaking 2.1 million viewers and a 0.9 rating among adults 18-49 in Nielsen’s live plus same-day ratings. Although, these brave women’s stories do not end here. Lifetime is premiering part 2 of Surviving R. Kelly on January 2 titled, “Part II: The Reckoning.” Viewers are expected to hear stories of new victims who confessed shortly after the debut of part 1 and new tapes and videos that have newly emerged.
Lifetime is showing a little appreciation to its hopeless romantics as it prepares for the release of a new docuseries, Hopelessly in Love. The series dives into some of the most iconic love stories in history including Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans, Lisa Lopes and Andre Rison and Anna Nicole Smith and Larry Birkhead. Set to air on January 4, the film will be a three-week event and feature tear-jerking interviews and footage that has never been seen before in this love vs. passion series.
It seems Lifetime is a believer in the rule of three because they have one more docuseries to kick off the new year. From Darkness to Light is a documentary special that focuses on Olympic gymnast, Aly Raisman and the sexual abuse she faced as a young athlete from her former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. The series serves as a platform for many who are victims of sexual assault and fear disclosing their experiences with the rest of the world. We can expect a discussion on the rape culture in this country and why those who are sexually abused are so hesitant about coming forward to bring awareness to the issue. Though no official date has been released yet the special is set to premiere in 2020.
Game shows: With the end of season 2 to the new music game show, The Masked Singer talk is already on the rise for season 3. The Masked Singer was adopted by the South Korean show, King of Mask Singer. Craig Plestis who is the executive producer became obsessed with the concept of the show and proposed the idea to Fox in which they approved. The show features a number of celebrities who compete in a singing competition all while in a costume to hide their true identity until they are eliminated and sent home. On April 5, 2015 season 1 of the first episode aired and since then the show has had the ratings skyrocketing. Its debut was the most-watched unscripted show in the last 7 years and Nielsen rating reported a whopping 9.37 million viewers. With season 3 making its debut on February 2, the anticipation will surely be the death of us all. The host of the show, Nick Cannon is expected to return along with the judges Robin Thicke, Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, and Nicole Scherzinger. Most importantly, viewers can expect to see brand new costumes from these incognito celebrities including a mouse, a robot, a banana, and a fuzzy pink monster.
ABC is certainly buckling down for the new year and after it’s the successful run of several game shows in 2019, they’ve decided to keep the momentum going into 2020. ABC has officially renewed seven-show from its game show line up including The $100,000 Pyramid, Card Sharks, Celebrity Family Feud, Match Game, Press Your Luck, To Tell the Truth, and Holey Moley. The ratings achieved this summer were game-changing finishing first or second among adults 18-49. ABC was tied with NBC for the summer, being the first time it has finished in the top spot since 1995. The game shows brought a lightheartedness to the television network and served well in unifying all households to sit in front of the television, no matter the age.
Competitive Series: America’s Got Talent: The Champions which is a spin-off of America’s Got Talent is taking to the TV screen for a second season on January 6 and we viewers can expect some new faces. Around 40 participants from across the Got Talent franchise can be expected to take the stage. We’ll also see some new faces in the judge's chairs. English singer, rapper and songwriter Mel B will not be returning next season and will be replaced by Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon. Actor Terry Crews is set to continue as host of the show and the competition will surely keep everyone on their toes as it did on season 1. According to Nielsen ratings, season 1 brought in over 10.50 million viewers and expectations are high for season 2.
Now that the bachelor, Peter Weber has officially been chosen for season 24 of The Bachelorette the suspense is on a rise as we approach the premiere date, January 6. Weber is an Airline pilot from Westlake Village, California and has a strong presence on social media due to his time on The Bachelorette in the past. Many may recognize him from season 15 as a fan favorite and second runner up. Fans are also getting a sneak peek at some of the new contestants including Jenna S., Maurissa G., Kiarra N., Katrina B, and Kylie R, etc. Things are sure to get heated this upcoming season as we see 30 women from different walks of life fight for Weber’s love.
Wrapping up season 1 of the Netflix original competition show, Rhythm + Flow, fans are dying to know if the series will be returning for a second season. In an attempt to find the next music icon, judges Cardi B, T.I. and Chance the Rapper crowned D smoke the winner of season 1 and critics loved the outcome of the series. Nonetheless, there has been no word from Netflix if we should be expecting a second season though the likelihood is high. Since the first episode debuted the fans' feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and so many are already requesting a season 2 should follow. As of now, we have no choice but to sit back and wait.