When the reality series, "The Surreal Life" was first introduced in 2003 I thought it was an interesting concept. A half dozen celebrities (most of whom had seen better days) all moved into a house together and their lives were taped ala "The Real World" style.
The first season of misfits included former child star Corey Feldman, Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil and rapper turned preacher M.C. Hammer. Oh, and then there was "Survivor" alum Jerri Manthey, who most of the other houseguests had never heard of. I watched the first season out of curiosity (as I do with most reality fare) and my final verdict was that it was sort of depressing. I don't like to call these celebrities has-beens, but it's obvious their careers were in a slump and today's quick fix for that is a reality show. Unfortunately, I don't think "The Surreal Life" put any of these guys back on the radar and in fact it created sort of a stigma for these celebs ('Surreal Life" = has been). Still, "The Surreal Life" plowed ahead, producing subsequent seasons that included "stars" such as Vanilla ice, Flavor Flav, Brigette Nielsen, Charo, Erik Estrada, Christopher Knight, Emmanuel Lewis and Tammy Faye Bakker. I watched intermittently.
Fast forward to 2005, where the fifth season of "The Surreal Life 5" is now airing on VH1. "The Surreal life 5" may host the most "unfamous" cast yet, as no one stands out as a really big former superstar. Famous, yes, but there's no former heartthrobs like Erik Estrada or Chris Knight.
No, the latest "Surreal" cast consists of "the first supermodel" Janice Dickinson (hey, I follow fashion and I've never heard of her); Carey Hart (known mostly for being the boyfriend of pop star Pink); Caprice (I don't have a clue); Pepa from the rap/pop duo Salt and Pepa; Bronson Pinchot (Balki from 80's sitcom "Perfect Strangers"); former steroid-using baseball player Jose Canseco; and Omarosa, resident troublemaker from "The Apprentice".
From the first episode there are fireworks between the housemates, mostly caused by Janice Dickinson who clearly wants to be the star of the show. Dickinson prances about in her best aging model form, causing drama, letting the tears flow and cursing out anyone that dares to come near her. Judging by the previews for the upcoming episodes, it only gets worse. Doesn't look like Dickinson and Omarosa get along too well-- in fact it looks like they despise each other. I don't find it entertaining to see grown women calling each other offensive names and cursing-- if I want to see that I'll watch "Jerry Springer". And Canseco, although he is a massively big guy, has an unbelievably immature manner about him. PInchot seems like a dirty old man and Caprice just sort of blends in. The most mature one seems to be the young, tattoo covered Carey Hart.
This season the "Surreal Life" has a circus theme. I'm not sure what that means, but there is a 3-legged dog that occupies the house. His name is Lucky, and I guess he's hoping, like the rest of his housemates, that "The Surreal Life 5" will be his lucky break as well.
