This week ushers in a frisky new reality show, “Wingman,” as well as “Delocated!” — an insanely funny spoof on the reality genre.
Cable’s Fine Living Network (Comcast Channel 278) has hooked up with standup comedian Michael Somerville for its 7 p.m. Tuesday dating show “Wingman,” and he handles the title role with elan. He’s exactly the sort of supportive full-of-tips guy you’d like by your side in your pursuit of romance.
On the premiere, Somerville takes lovely but love-starved Kela under his wing.
She meets a few candidates that Somerville recruits. Things don’t go so well.
Then, armed with useful break- the-ice techniques (a flirtatious toss of the head; the right verbal greeting), Kela heads for a bar, where Somerville stays out of sight but in radio contact to monitor Kela’s progress.
By the end of the episode, it’s mission accomplished for Somerville and his newly hooked-up protege.
Meanwhile, the audience will have fun playing voyeur. And maybe those viewers in need will learn some useful dating tips for themselves.
Of course, reality shows aren’t just a popular form of programming — they’re ripe for parody.
“Delocated!” is the most outrageous stab at mockumentaries yet.
Premiering on Adult Swim Feb. 12, this half-hour comedy focuses on a family that had been living undercover in a witness-protection program after “Jon,” the head of the household, testified against the Russian mafia.
But “Jon” (his government-issued name) can’t resist the siren call of television. He leaps at the chance for his family to star in a reality show based on their lives spent in hiding.
Granted, they’ll all have to wear ski masks on camera, have their voices surgically altered and put their safety at risk. But “Jon” is psyched, especially since they’ll get to move from their secluded small town to New York for the filming! His wife and son aren’t so eager.
As he acknowledges, ” ‘Susan’ thinks we’re putting ourselves in danger. She’s got ‘David’ in a panic that he’s gonna be killed. What’s the worst that’s gonna happen? I become superfamous!”
Other shows to look out for: The CNBC documentary “House of Cards” starts with foreclosure signs seen planted on Americans’ front lawns. A minister leads a prayer for those losing their homes. A sheriff’s deputy delivers an eviction notice.
Those painful sights are only the beginning.
Correspondent David Faber investigates the global economic breakdown not only from the perspective of the Wall Street power players and the government regulators but also from the point of view of ordinary people. “House of Cards” reaches back to the economic shock from the 9/11 attacks, followed by President George W. Bush’s challenge to Americans to defy the terrorists and go shopping. They did.
Premiering at 6 p.m. Feb. 12, this two-hour report dissects the Frankenstein’s monster that arose.
