When it comes to MTV reality shows, it’s crucial that the narrative structure imposed on them be solid, because the personalities they’re built around are less than fly-weight. Brody Jenner was immediately doomed in last night’s premiere of Bromance, stuck in a bro-schmo show whose pathetic premise is half-Paris Hilton’s My New BFF, half-The Pick-up Artist. Choosing from nine guys to become his new object of bromance, when you’ve already got a couple of perfectly good, creepy-leech “friends,” Frankie and Sleazy T? Who wants to watch desperate, sweaty losers suck up to Brody, when I assume most Brody fans would have been content to watch an hour of wealthy, sweaty loser Brody lowering and raising himself from his jacuzzi (how many times did they replay Brody easing in and out of that hot-tub last night?). I’ve got nothing against Brody–he’s clearly the kind of rich, good-looking lunkhead lots of Americans want to gaze upon–but it’s too bad he doesn’t have the brains to have objected to the concept of his show, because Bromance is the slow-dance of reality programming. (Oh, and who’s one of the producers? That Momma’s Boy, Ryan Seacrest. Everything this guy touches turns to tedious slime, doesn’t it?)
By contrast, The Hills spin-off The City had the good sense to surround doe-eyed, slack-jawed Whitney Port with the soft-glow lighting and swoony-romance pop music that makes watching Hills nonentities like Lauren and Heidi such a decadent dream. I was happy to see glimpses of people who have accomplished something in the world–and here I’m talking about Whitney’s new boss, Diane von Furstenberg, and Whitney’s old boss, Kelly Cutrone. (Really, I’d watch a Kelly Cutrone series–such blunt common sense! such tough friendliness!–but I suppose she’s considered too “old” for the idiot-demo MTV craves.) And I’ll watch The City again, to have another good laugh at that fascinatingly appalling phony Olivia, the show’s designated bitch-villain, but actually a common Manhattan type: the nouveau-riche climber. See? There’s a story, a plot, a narrative to follow in The City: Will Whitney’s blank-slate “goodness” defeat Olivia’s vivid “badness”? And all Bromance has going for it is Brody Jenner’s toilet-seat ethics, the “can-fessional.” Yuk.
Was either of these shows worth your time last night? And if so: What did you think of Bromance? Of The City? Would you watch either or both again?
More on The City:
The City premiere: Hits and misses
Le sigh. I hate myself for being attracted to Brody Jenner. Oh well, just a cross I’ll have to bare.
Its almost ridiculous that these shows are airing together, when their target audiences are clearly different. Bromance is geared toward college aged dudes who would think that kind of stuff is funny and cool. (I’m past college, but still found it entertaining) The City is geared toward girls. Now of course there will be crossover since A) both were cast members of the hills, and B) the hills managed to appeal to gusy too. I thought they were both entertaining in very different ways. The fake reality of the City is just as addicting as the fake reality of the Hills. Bromance is pure frat boy fun. If I was scheduling MTV, I’d put Bromance on with Double Shot of Love.
Not that I’m counting, but isn’t this Brody’s fourth reality-effort: Princes of Malibu (?), The Hills, and as a special guest star on “The Kardashians”? He’s found his niche in the reality TV, and if that evil genius Secrest keeps getting all his bad ideas greenlit, I’m not going to hate on Brody.
BTW: If I’m looking for the finest that television has to offer, its not going to be on a station that prides itself on “Next” or “Engaged and Underage”.
the city for me seemed to be identical 2 the hills, except its NY and everythings abt boring (facial expresionist) whitney..
cant w8 for the season 2 unravel haha
my guilty pleasure.
I wouldn’t watch this crap if I were on my death bed and it was the only channel available.
I did enjoy the City. I would watch it again. I hate the word “bromance”. Can we retire that word immediately? Please.
I’ve seen rumors online that there’s a reality show with Kelly Cutrone being shopped around and Bravo was given a first look. I’d check out that one…
Also — Bromance is fun. I’m rooting for Luke. Gotta love the funny Boston kid. I think the City is off to a great start. It had more drama in one night than the whole last season of the Hills!
The people that watch and enjoy either of these shows are the reason life seems to be more and more unbearable.
Snarf, I hear your pain. I think it’s because he was the only guy on The Hills with a hint of personality and charm. I hated myself for watching Bromance last night, but it was fairly entertaining. The City, on the otherhand… BORING. But the part with Olivia and the Manolos was funny.
I will admit that these shows are mindless and bad. However, I still love them. I truly think the posts that EW does are for the fans and people who enjoy watching mindless tv for an hour a day. Why do others feel the need to slam these shows? Just don’t watch or read about them, but don’t ruin the enjoyment I get out of them.
Best Bromance of the year was on Make me a Supermodel.
homo-mance is so ridiculous, it’s embarassing. never will watch this lame show again.
homo-mance is so ridiculous, it’s embarassing. never will watch this lame show again.
Haha I soooo CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SOUP TO RIP THESE SHOWS APART HAHAHAHA
Joel McHale is COMING 4 U BRODY!!!