The Mole Is Back - But Not Anderson Cooper Or Corbin Bernsen
One of my favorite reality shows is coming back to ABC this summer. Yes. They are bringing The Mole back. Unfortunately it isn't going to be Celebrity Mole which I loved even more, but beggars can't be choosers.
The show's first two seasons - hosted by Anderson Cooper - were a big draw for the network in 2001 and 2002, but midseason "celebrity" editions in the two years that followed failed to draw similarly high numbers. They might not have drawn as well, but until you see the paranoia that is Corbin Bernsen you haven't seen television. Plus, I may be wrong as I frequently am, but I believe that the money Kathy Griffin won on the show actually helped pay for a great deal of her A list home. See, the thing about Celebrity Mole was the money didn't go to charity, it went to the celebrity. Nothing like putting a quarter of a million bucks out in front of some unemployed D listers.
Anderson Cooper became a star because of The Mole and Ahmad Rashad fell further into obscurity.
This is a show we honestly love and people ask us about all the time," said John Saade, svp of reality at ABC. "We were looking to bring the show back even when the writers were working."
The only reason I don't think he is completely lying is that they are bringing it back for the summer which is typically when there is no new scripted television anyway, and where some great reality shows got their start.
The new season of ten episodes will revert to the original format, without celebs, but with some "minor tweaks" to make the show more accessible to viewers. The hunt is also on for a new host, with Cooper now locked in as an anchor for CNN and Ahmad Rashad, host of the celebrity editions, not being asked back.
"We're looking for someone in the Anderson mode, a little mysterious but full of comedy," said executive producer Scott Stone. "It could be a breakout role for someone."
Going have to change my queue on Netflix and get some Celebrity Mole for this weekend.
Haven't been this excited since it was confirmed Paris Hilton had herpes.
confirmed she had herpes? because you were unsure???
ReplyDeleteI AM SO EXCITED.
ReplyDelete*also adds Celebrity Mole to her Netflix queue*
i like the Mole but once i got into Amazing Race it was all over for other shows similar.
ReplyDeletei'd totally watch it if it were celebs again.
FYI for any who care Paradise Hotel is coming back!!! lol.
Bring back Toni!
Toni was brittany-nuts! She was on the "Love Boat" one too.Her little sister was the pink-haired-blondish girl from American Idol. Nikki maybe?
ReplyDeleteJax, please tell me ur joking?! What about Charla? Will she be coming back to? I wonder if she's dived into some hohos and ding dongs since her last stint.
ReplyDelete@jax....I totally loved that show..(hangs head in shame) I saw the ad on TV for it returning the other night and squealed. but only a bit.
ReplyDeleteSTOP. JUDGING. ME.
I know, I know.
Maybe we need to highlight when we are using sarcasm or humor for the not-so-enlightened? Thoughts?
(googling Netfix?) Then maybe I will queue up Celeb Mole.
Never saw the mole, but like nq, may have to add it to my netflix list.
ReplyDeleteI have to say though, that a quarter of a million dollars doesn't even buy a nice home in my area. In California, it would buy a dump. I doubt that money went towards Kathy Griffin's A list home.
Onecrazypeanut, just never take anyone here seriously and it will make life easier...lol.
One crazypeanut-they are replaying the first PH on Slice tonight.
ReplyDeletedon't be too sure, twisted. the bottom is dropping out of the housing market, big time. brand new houses selling out here in the desert have dropped to about half what they were going for 2 years ago.
ReplyDeleteBionic, the market IS a mess, but it wasn't so when Kathy Griffin bought her home, I don't think. She's had that for a while.
ReplyDeleteJax, your news on PH2 made my day. Oh how I miss Toni and her pop-eyes. I need to watch PH1 again. What was that other dating show Toni was on? Can't believe she dropped out of the reality scene entirely. I'd track her down, if I weren't so dang lazy.
ReplyDeleteOops, I was so busy being off topic I forgot to put in my request for a host for the Mole. Howzabout Patton Oswalt or Zach Gallifinakis?
ReplyDelete