TV Tuesdays

By Gus Bode

Hey all of you out there in entertainment land. This is something new we’re trying in Pulse, as we have largely ignored television shows and all the good (and bad) they have to offer. Every Tuesday Pulse plans to bring you a review and rundown of an episode of a show currently on air, whether it’s reality or one of the scripted shows that is operating despite the writers’ strike. Without any further ado, welcome to TV Tuesdays.

“Rock of Love II”

VH1

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New episodes air 8 p.m. Sundays

Nothing says love like 20 women moving into your house, competing in various challenges to win time with you and spending plenty of time at the bar with a built-in dancing pole trying to impress you.

Nothing spells out heartache like the failed romance the ladylove you chose described when she blew you off on your show’s reunion special.

Nothing says VH1 is cashing in on the celebrity romance genre like the advent of “Rock of Love II,” which gave 40-year-old Poison singer Bret Michaels a second chance to find love.

The debut episode of “Rock of Love II” premiered Sunday night, leaving little to be desired in outrageous behavior from contestants and securing the show a spot in the upper echelons of guilty pleasuredom.

The show might not be for everybody. The romance-seeking reality plot has been done countless times before, especially on VH1. But if audience members are itching to see people at their best and worst and definitely most outrageous, get ready to tune in.

“Rock II” operates the same way the first season did, which is the exact way “Flavor of Love” went – 20 women face elimination each week as Michaels chooses among them to find a romantic partner.

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Along the way drama and backstabbing between contestants and outlandish challenges to win time alone with the hair metal icon keep audiences entertained and primed for the next episode.

Sunday’s debut introduced a bevy of beauties, with ages that range from 20s all the way to mid-40s. The eclectic bunch has a few exotic dancers, some mothers as well as established career women.

The new contestants were allowed into Michaels’ house, where some promptly ran to the bar and began mixing drinks. Michaels asked the women to pose for pictures for their backstage passes, which, when received at an elimination ceremony guarantee them a place in the house until the next elimination.

The contestant to watch this season is the kooky and subtitled Angelique. Originally from France, no one could have predicted her presence on “Rock II” but we should all thank her for being there for the laughs she’s bound to garner.

From her completely candid commentary on her dabbles in plastic surgery (her nose and lips have had work, as well as her breasts that she proudly proclaimed have been done twice because they were too small the first time) to her ridiculous behavior should guarantee her a spot just for her entertainment value.

While Michaels was taking pictures of the contestants, Angelique was the first to bear her substantial assets and allowed the rocker to take some beyond-risqu’eacute; photos. Kudos to the crazy girl and may your nude antics remain on the show as a source of laughter and water-cooler talk until the bitter end.

Afterward the women are invited to a mixer where they are given an hour to get Michaels’ attention and make an impression to keep from being eliminated that night. One contestant, Courtney, after a bout of self-consciousness during the photo session drinks so much whiskey during the mixer she can’t even get up to go to the elimination ceremony.

In the end Michaels eliminates five contestants and a preview of the upcoming season shows catfights and booze, punches and love.

Antics such as these keep this show number one on guilty pleasure lists everywhere. So it’s a little embarrassing to know everything about a celebrity reality show – just watch it quietly by yourself and laugh. It’s humanity at its worst.

VH1 has done this show so many times before with “Flavor of Love” and “I Love New York.” Nothing really makes “Rock of Love II” unique, but it is just as fun as the original shows.

If there’s any reason beyond pure fun to watch this show, contestants’ behavior might just make you feel a little bit better about what happened last Friday night, and who doesn’t need a self-esteem boost every now and then?

Alicia Wade can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 275 or [email protected].

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