• On GameFAQs: The top 10 most terrifying PC games
May 25, 2009 10:05 AM PDT

Set your DVRs: Twitter to develop reality TV series

by Chris Matyszczyk
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 12 comments

If scientists got the correlation models together, I wonder if they would find a blisteringly harmonious relationship between those who loathe reality TV and those who loathe Twitter.

Critics of the microblogging service declare that, like reality TV, tweets are just mindless ego-fodder being released on the masses by the second.

Well, now the two ego-fodder receptacles appear to be coming together for the further enlightenment of the world.

Variety reported Monday rather up-to-the-minute news of Brillstein Entertainment, a powerful artist management company, and Reveille Productions, the folks who used to be owned by NBC Entertainment's co-chairman, Ben Silverman, and have produced rather likable TV in "The Office" and "Ugly Betty."

These two significant players are about to make a reality series in cooperation with Twitter.

The creative possibilities for Twitter will surely never be over capacity.

(Credit: CC Mykl Roventine/Flickr)

Perhaps you yourself have had a gestating idea for a reality TV series featuring Twitter and will feel miffed that someone has gotten there first.

All I can tell you is that according to the plans for the as-yet unnamed opus, the concept consists of "putting ordinary people on the trail of celebrities in a revolutionary competitive format."

Will real people compete to see who's the finest twittering paparazzi? Will they have to decipher cryptic tweets sent by Shaq and Demi Moore with clues to buried treasure? Who can possibly know?

All that is clear is that Variety quoted Brillstein's Jon Liebman as saying: "We've found a compelling way to bring the immediacy of Twitter to life on TV."

Strangely, the words 'Ashton' and 'Kutcher' have not immediately been associated with this project.

But it seems that soon "Dancing with the Stars" and "American Idol" may find a rival in realitweet TV.

Chris Matyszczyk is an award-winning creative director who advises major corporations on content creation and marketing. He brings an irreverent, sarcastic, and sometimes ironic voice to the tech world. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.
Recent posts from Technically Incorrect
Black Friday at Best Buy: What's the big deal?
AT&T gets Luke Wilson to hit Verizon again
NBA star won't tweet until he has 1 million followers
Man marries video game character
IKEA's brilliant Facebook campaign
IBM staffer posts pics on Facebook, loses benefits
New Apple ads to Verizon: Can Droid do this?
Police arrest exec for not using Twitter
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (12 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by 4score20 May 25, 2009 10:40 AM PDT
"putting ordinary people on the trail of celebrities in a revolutionary competitive format."

Sounds like a winner. Nothing could possibly go wrong there. Nope, nothing. Celebrities have always loved being hunted by "professional" paparazzi so you know they're gonna love this.
Reply to this comment
by karpenterskids May 25, 2009 11:04 AM PDT
This is by far the lamest idea EVER.
Reply to this comment
by OyezOyez May 25, 2009 6:35 PM PDT
Indeed!

Twitter needs to get their core service working properly before they start trying to cash in the brand name for any quick buck.

Please sign my petition here if you agree:
http://bit.ly/notwittershow

Thanks!
by Frimbooze May 25, 2009 11:11 AM PDT
Twitter has Jumped the shark.
Reply to this comment
by lordmorgul May 25, 2009 11:17 AM PDT
This certainly qualifies as diworseification.
Reply to this comment
by flashkaz May 25, 2009 12:21 PM PDT
This is hilarious! I had a slightly better idea, but it would have been a twit-play =) I think I'm auditioning for this tomorrow. Wish me luck!
Reply to this comment
by dcase99 May 25, 2009 4:07 PM PDT
what a twit of an idea
Reply to this comment
by javonyc May 25, 2009 4:55 PM PDT
LAME
Reply to this comment
by assman May 25, 2009 7:21 PM PDT
I already hate it.
Reply to this comment
by jaydubbula May 26, 2009 6:03 AM PDT
The Ellen Show is already doing this - sort of.
Reply to this comment
by Webdonuts-dot-com June 29, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
Here is a better Twitter reality show idea. Take a cartoonist who no one knows (like me). Send the cameras with him to work where co-workers will think the show is about them because they are unaware of his alter-ego. Use Twitter to rocket the popularity of the site and watch this fledgling cartoonist escape the 9-5 shackles. Okay self serving, yes, but I had to throw it out there in case Jack Dorsey still surfs the Net.
Reply to this comment
by CathyCarswell July 16, 2009 7:42 AM PDT
i think it is great in that this will allow the common person to express themselves with whatever creative interests and then use the internet to attract its target market.
Reply to this comment
(12 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

The browser battles go on and on

roundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.

3G wireless still holds promise

The next generation of 4G wireless may get all the headlines, but advanced 3G technology will likely dominate services for the next few years.

advertisement

About Technically Incorrect

Chris Matyszczyk brings a fresh and irreverent perspective to the tech world in his CNET blog, Technically Incorrect. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Technically Incorrect topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right