TV's Guilty Pleasures: The confections that cure our most insatiable sweet tooth
By Sarah Carlson
April 19, 2007
We should feel bad about loving these shows ... but we don’t.
1. "The Girls Next Door" (above)
Airs: Multiple times throughout the week on E! (Suddenlink channel 66)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): You’d think the shenanigans at the Playboy mansion would get pretty one note (or at the very least, too hot for TV.) Not so; these three bunnies prove there’s some toughness to their fluff. Hef’s main squeeze Holly (center) shows initiative by setting up many of the mag’s spreads; Bridget (far right) boasts a B.A. in public relations, a master’s degree in communications and is working on another master’s in broadcast journalism; and Kendra (far left), well ... she’s kind of dumb, but she does have the trio’s most distinctive laugh (often lampooned by “The Soup’s” Joel McHale.) So that’s something. — Erin Steele
2. "The O.C."
Airs: In our hearts, on SOAPnet (Suddenlink channel 226), on DVD
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): “The O.C.” ushered in a new wave of primetime soap operas and introduced the world to brooding Ryan (Benjamin McKenzie), troubled Marissa (Mischa Barton), the wonderful Cohens and the rest of the dysfunctional gang. It was the show to watch in its prime — the perfect, bubblegum cure for a long day at work — brimming with affairs, a surprising amount of wit and the joy of watching Ryan go “all Chino” and punch people. Unfortunately, “The O.C.” took a turn for the worse in season three, killed off Marissa and never fully recovered in the ratings. At least we’ll always have the DVDs. — Sarah Carlson
3. "I Love New York"
Airs: Throughout the week on VH1 (Suddenlink channel 37)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): What are the ingredients for a guilty-pleasure reality show? Try half a cup of crazies with nicknames such as “Pootie,” “12-Pack” and “Chance”; a leading lady whose face is eerily similar to Lambchop’s (blame the big false eyelashes); and a season finale filled with the most entertaining dolphin encounters since “SeaQuest” left our fair airwaves. Yes, this is the world of “I Love New York,” which (to my dismay) recently wrapped its first season. But since star Tiffany “New York” Patterson was unceremoniously dumped by “Ninja Turtle-lookin’” Tango, let us all cross our fingers for a season two. — ES
4. "Real World / Road Rules Challenge: Inferno 3"
Airs: 9 p.m. Tuesdays on MTV (Suddenlink channel 64)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): The 14th season of the deliciously horrible Real World/Road Rules Challenge brings us The Inferno 3, a competition between MTV’s reality show alumni. Contestants are split into two teams and have to perform often outrageous physical challenges, both as a team and individually. Cat fights, back-stabbing, sleazy hookups, regular fights, name-calling, alliances, betrayals — you name it, the Inferno has it. The castmates aren’t exactly “intelligent,” so you’re assured an amusing time by watching the Neanderthal men and less-than-respectable women demonstrate the darkest aspects of human nature. — SC
5. "Las Vegas"
Airs: 8 p.m. Fridays on NBC (Suddenlink channel 5)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): By no means a “good” show, this NBC
drama is packed with nearly soap-operatic revelations each episode, all taking place against the backdrop of Sin City. Intrigued? You should be. The beautiful staff of the fictional Montecito Hotel and Casino includes “All My Children” alum Josh Duhamel; “General Hospital” alum Vanessa Marcil; and “Godfather” alum James Caan (which of these things is not like the others, you ask.) Add in model Molly Sims and failed WB sitcom castaway Nikki Cox, and you’ve got the kind of slick TV that’s impossible to turn away from. Don’t fight it. Just enjoy. — ES
6. "E! True Hollywood Story"
Airs: Throughout the week on E! (Suddenlink channel 66)
Why it’s guilty (and a pleasure): Have you ever seen what pure, unadulterated joy looks like? Just watch my face as I gaze upon the glory that is the E! “True Hollywood Story.” This tabloid-esque behind-the-scenes look at everything from celebrity love lives to ’80s-era sitcoms is classic trash TV. Unfortunately, “THS” has already reached its pinnacle with its expose on the set of “Growing Pains.” Born-again Christians, anorexics, death threats to little brother Ben — who knew an innocuous “Family Ties” rip-off would be rife with so much on-set drama? “THS,” that’s who. — ES
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