NBC’s spring cleaning sweeps away reality shows

Courtesy of The Futon Critic:

While NBC will offer up six original series this summer, just as many won’t be back.

On the heels of its schedule announcement yesterday, Peacock insiders have confirmed “Last Comic Standing” and “Nashville Star” – two veteran franchises absent from said lineup – indeed won’t be back.

Also officially getting the boot: “Celebrity Circus,” “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Fear Itself,” “The Baby Borrowers” and “American Gladiators.” And while repeats of “Most Outrageous Moments” will turn up a few times in the coming months (May 19, July 21, July 28, August 26 and August 28), original episodes will no longer be produced.

2008-09 season entries “America’s Toughest Jobs” and “Momma’s Boys” likewise won’t be getting second seasons.

And it’s even worse news for “Jobs” executive producers Thom Beers, Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun: the two other series ordered as part of their much-ballyhooed 30-episode deal with the network won’t be turning up on the Peacock at all.

The projects in development for said slots – “Salvage,” “Shark Taggers,” “Swords: Lives on the Line” and late entry “Tornado Road” – however are expected to turn up on cable, where Beers has found success with such series as History’s “Ice Road Truckers” and Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch.”

The only reality efforts surviving the aforementioned bloodbath: “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Breakthrough With Tony Robbins,” both of which are likely due sometime next season.

The Baby Borrower’s Season Finale

Tomorrow on the NBC reality show, The Baby Borrowers, the teenagers prepare themselves for their potential futures as nursing assistants in assisted living communities by taking care of seniors.

NBC actually says in this episode “the circle completes,” with the teenagers having to tend to the elderly. However, actual kids would say, “What the hell does taking care of old people I don’t know have to do with me wanting to have a baby?” The answer: “Not a damn thing; we just needed to stretch out a premise for a television show so it would last all season.”

If you have been watching this show, either with or without your kids, you won’t want to miss this finale. Just remember: the best birth control is not a reality show, as The Baby Borrowers would have you believe. Birth control is usually purchased at drug stores.

The Baby Borrowers Finale: Teens Take Care of Seniors

(Press Release)

07/30/2008 (09:00PM – 10:00PM) (Wednesday) : THE CIRCLE COMPLETES IN THE HEART-WRENCHING SEASON FINALE The teen couples have experienced all stages of parenthood, from infants, toddlers, pre-teens and teens, but now is the final test of adulthood — taking care of senior citizens. While taking care of the elderly — all with individual levels of mobility and various ailments, the couples all get the chance to learn about their lives, relationships and touching life experiences. After becoming close to the seniors, the teens must say goodbye and reflect on what they have learned during the social experiment. The episode closes with updates on where each of the couples are now.

The Baby Borrowers: Is This The End of Morgan and Daton?

(Press Release)

07/30/2008 (08:00PM – 09:00PM) (Wednesday) : NOT GIVING UP After a relaxing brunch out together, the couples return home to find their teens ready and waiting. Always a turbulent couple, Morgan and Daton’s relationship trouble come to a head, leaving Morgan to make a tough decision. Each couple quickly learns some of the challenges teens pose, from a difficult family outing to finding their teens out of bed in the middle of the night. After an interesting three days, the couples get their chance to tell the parents how well their kid behaved and not every parent is ready to hear it.

Go to The Baby Borrowers Website