TV CRITICS GRILL FOX ON REALITY OF ‘TEMPTATION ISLAND’
PASADENA “The audience has spoken and they've demonstrated that they have a huge appetite for this type of nonscripted programming” and Fox TV Network plans to capitalize on reality shows “within the boundaries of appropriateness.” That was message delivered here by Fox Entertainment Chmn. Sandy Grushow and Pres. Gail Berman to TV critics -- who were highly critical of Fox program Temptation Island, which airs tonight. One critic questioned network about “the ethics and perhaps the morality of bringing in people and trying to pry couples apart.”
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Fox canceled announced panel of shows’ producers before critics, who also weren’t provided with tape of pilot of program until later, leading critic to ask: “Were you afraid to let us have at the producers?” Grushow said CBS’s Survivor “really turned the prime-time network television around” and Berman said Fox was seeking to “capitalize on the trend.” After Fox fiasco last year with Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire, studio pledged cutback in such programming, but Grushow told critics: “We never said we were getting out of the reality business. Contestants on Temptation Island were tested for sexually transmitted diseases before going on show, Berman said. She said promos on show were more “provocative” than show itself and Grushow urged critics not to prejudge it based on 30-sec. spot. Critics also were critical of sexual elements of another Fox show, Love Cruise, which they also weren’t shown.
Grushow, who moved into his current job year ago, said Fox took many programming “risks… that may have raised some eyebrows but were necessary to get Fox back on track.” Citing successful programs, he said “we're now reaping the rewards of those risks, rewards that… have exceeded our wildest expectations.” At same time, he admitted “we had our share of disappointments.”
In separate appearances before critics, contentious subject was renewal of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on WB, which is produced by Fox. WB is negotiating new contract and WB CEO Jamie Kellner warned that if Fox accepted show it would radically change TV’s future. “There’s a bit of honor where fair play has to step in” regarding negotiations, he said. Grushow countered that Warner Bros. secured $15 million renewal fee for NBC to keep ER and that Fox would be happy to leave Buffy where it was if WB came up with acceptable renewal offer which “up until this point, that has not remotely been the case.” -- Tack Nail
TV Critics Notebook…
Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pasadena gave TV critics huge breaks in room fees (more than 50% off regular rates) and other amenities as host of semiannual tour -- but same can’t be said for studios and TV networks promoting their products and stars to reporters. Lunch hosted by Fox, for example, cost $44 per person (with no wine or bar), plus 21% service charge and 1% tax. During breaks, host paid $42 for gallon of coffee, $32 for gallon of milk, $3.25 for soft drink, $3.25 for granola bar -- plus $10 each for car parked and paid for by Fox.