Are you between the ages of 25-34? Are you too young to be considered Generation X but too negative to be considered a Milennial? Are you tired of wondering what's going on underneath Bret Michaels' bandanna? (Trick question. We all know what's going on under there: more bandannas. It's just bandanna after bandanna leading down to his bandanna scalp, followed by his bandanna skull, and then his brain made entirely of bandannas.) If you answered "yes," "yes," and "duh" to the above, the bad news is you're part of this made-up generation called "Gen Mix." But the good news is there's a TV network just for you! It's called VH1, and it has a "new" image that is classy with a capital "K."
From The Hollywood Reporter:
"As much as they've enjoyed the 'Love' franchise, our audience was getting a little fatigued by all those manufactured reality shows," said Tom Calderone, president, VH1. "They want more authenticity in their reality, which isn't to say that it can't be comedic and light."
To that end, VH1 is unveiling the most comprehensive lineup of original programming in its 25-year history. Before the year is out, the net will introduce 44 new series, each of which will align with one of three genres: music, celebrity and "real life stories."
…The new programming reflects VH1's commitment to its "Gen Mix" audience, a demo composed of younger Gen Xers and older Millennials. Ranging between 25 and 34 years of age, the Gen Mix crowd is particularly attuned to celebrity — so much so that endorsements from actors and musicians are as influential as recommendations from friends and family.
Sure, it was "audience fatigue" at the various Love spin-offs, and not a horrific murder/suicide committed by one of the Megan Wants A Millionaire finalists, that caused the network to finally stop making "manufactured reality shows." But Tough Love, aka Some Misogynist Yells At You About How To Keep A Man, is still on the air, right?
Or does that fall into the "real life stories" category? (Dr. Drew Presents Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew Featuring Dr. Drew is still on too, but then again there's nothing manufactured about televised therapy.) Anyway, don't people watch VH1 celebreality precisely for its "manufactured reality"?
No matter. This is a new decade and a new VH1! So what are some of these 44 new series?
Music will remain one of the channel's core offerings, comprising 40% of the entire day schedule starting this September. VH1 will be refreshing brands such as VH1 Divas (slated to return in December with a concert special for American troops with USO), VH1 Hip Honors (returning in June with a special on Southern rappers), and new installments of VH1 Storytellers, Behind the Music, and the Emmy-winning Rock Doc series. Game show Don't Forget the Lyrics will rev up as a daily strip series in September.
Among the new shows fast approaching is You're Cut Off, about nine spoiled young women who are cut off from their various shopping outlets, debuting June 14 at 9 p.m.; weight loss competition Money Honey (summer 2010); and new Behind the Music episodes, which begin in June, featuring Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson, Eve, Jennifer Lopez and DMX.
Among the new shows in the pilot phase are Beso: Waiting on Fame, about Eva Longoria-Parker's Hollywood restaurant, and Estranged with Dr. Drew, in which the ever-present VH1 celebrity doctor works to repair relationships in ruins.
Let's Spend the Night Together: Confessions of Rock's Greatest Groupies will premier some time in Q4 and specials on 50 Cent (50s Roots) and Rush (RUSH: Beyond the Lighted Stage, June 26) are also slated for this year.
So we've got shows exploring the many mysteries of JLo, Eve, and Courtney Love; a reality show about spoiled people; a weight-loss show; something about 50 Cent; still more Dr. Drew; a show about Eva Longoria Parker: Restauranteur (Incidentally, I'm pretty sure that no generation, even a made-up generation, wants to watch a show about Eva Longoria Parker's restaurant); And some special about celebrity groupies. Sounds like VH1 is just throwing a bunch of celebrity/reality stuff at the TV and seeing what sticks. In other words: VH1 is being VH1.