Survivor

CHICAGO – America’s #1 TV network showed a sign of their force today by renewing EIGHTEEN programs from their reliable hits to shows that many considered to be on the bubble. The renewals include four comedies, nine dramas, three reality series, and two newsmagazines and include programs that currently air on every night of the week. CBS really is in charge.

CHICAGO – Release schedules keep rolling in lately with the Television Critics Association press tour heating up, now giving us a date to circle for the hottest new show of last season. NBC’s hit reality singing series “The Voice” is set to start season two on one of the most watched nights of television, Super Bowl Sunday.

CHICAGO – Has there ever been a season of reality TV that got off to such an instantly-entertaining start as “Survivor: Redemption Island”? The new gameplay concept represented by the title has helped reinvigorate the series.

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico speaks with WGN Radio host Bill Moller on Feb. 19, 2011 about the ratings for “The Chicago Code” and the premieres of “The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business,” “SNL: Backstage,” “America’s Next Top Model,” and “Shedding For the Wedding.” Other programs discussed include “Survivor: Redemption Island,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.”

CHICAGO – The Emmy Award-winning CBS hit “The Amazing Race” returns tonight, Feb. 20th, 2011, with a group of familiar faces, most of them red from embarrassment at the mistakes they made last time and looking to correct them on the new season, appropriately titled “Unfinished Business.”

CHICAGO – HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico speaks with WGN Radio host Bill Moller on Feb. 12, 2011 about the ratings for “The Chicago Code” and the premieres of “The Sunset Limited” and “Mad Love.”

CHICAGO – There’s something about “Jersey Shore” that makes it unbelievably watchable. I’ll never understand why people have taken to the oversaturated “Real Housewives” franchise or the draw of “Hoarders,” but I totally get “Jersey Shore.” It’s difficult not to be entertained by personalities this larger-than-life and the bonus is that they feel as close to real as reality television has been in years. “Jersey Shore” never seems nearly as scripted as “The Hills,” reminding viewers of my generation of the “Real World” dramatics of the show’s first few years — back when it felt, you know, real.

CHICAGO – In this edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have three VIP prize packs up for grabs to History Channel’s new TV show “Top Shot” from director Adam Vetri!

CHICAGO – CBS announced their fall schedule today. While fans of canceled “Accidentally on Purpose,” “Cold Case,” “Gary Unmarried,” “Numb3rs,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” and “The New Adventures of Old Christine” may disagree, the big TV news of the week is that several of the top network’s biggest shows are moving.

CHICAGO – Mark Burnett is a man who knows no shame. The phenomenal success he’s found with shows such as “Survivor” and “The Apprentice” have cemented his reputation as the Jerry Bruckheimer of television.