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Is That PCD Show Making Folks Bipolar?
Pussycat Dolls: Search for the Next Doll by Michael Desmond/ The CW
Is the PCD show making folks bipolar?
I’m starting to think so because one minute I like PCD Presents: Search for the Next Doll then five minutes later I loathe it for being the glorified, flesh-peddling infomercial that it is. Seriously, Robin Antin must be working some special kind of Hollywood mojo because you could not buy better exposure than what her group — which is conveniently on tour now — is getting with this series. But I digress.
Five minutes after hating the show I’m back to not only liking it again, I’m trying to figure out the dance moves. I think I’ve got the teasy butt-push-turn thing down, but that peek-a-boo spread step still alludes me. Who can squat damn near to the floor, open their legs, and snap them shut on beat, all while wearing two-inch heels? I mean, really.
Clearly, I’m in like-it mode when the "Dolls" are performing or learning the dance steps (don’t get me started on choreographer Mikey Minden and his “If I Had Boobs” self). But then Mark McGrath introduces Lil’ Kim as “one of the most successful female performers in music history” (why must he exaggerate her credits like that?), or the judges play yet another mind game on the girls, and flip the switch, I’m pissed again.
Granted, my hot-cold, wishy-washiness is nowhere near the shrink-approved definition of bipolar. And I’m not trying to make light of the unfortunate souls who suffer from that very real affliction. But you know what I mean. This show’s got me tripping — in a nonpositive way. And I’m not the only one having mixed feelings. This weekend my boyfriend Z (name deleted to keep him from having to wear a “I’m with Crazy” T-shirt) was telling me how he couldn’t believe his older brother not only watches Search for the Next Doll, but was upset because they let the good dancer go. (That would be the ridiculously flexible Mariela, who was cut last week to keep Chelsea, who can sing her I-used-to-be-fat heart out.) Then yesterday Z started talking to me about this week’s episode. And no, he wasn’t watching it with his brother. Apparently, as he says, he got “sucked in” during a scene where the girls were practicing in hotpants and the camera kept zooming in on their butts. Then they started talking about body image (and no doubt how Anastacia felt like an Amazon next to Asia and the Melissa midgets), and he lost interest.
To make matters worse, one of my coworkers just caught me in the kitchen grinning at a daydream I was having that involved me performing PCD’s “Buttons.” Drats! I have gone on record talking about how this is the non-show of the season, yet I haven’t missed an episode. And now I’m thinking I’m going to cave and get their CD. See how wrong that is? Matt Roush would be so ashamed of me. Darn you, Search for the Next Doll!
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Apr 12, 2007 1:29 PM
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Considering that this show took the place of what is undoubtedly one of the best quality (if least watched) shows on TV to date, I'm surprised you're watching this show at all, especially considering that the ratings have now plummeted to below "Veronica Mars" levels, and believe me, that's pretty low!
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Apr 12, 2007 2:40 PM
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The Search for the Next Pussycat Doll is definitely a guilty pleasure. You feel bad, almost dirty watching it, but it's very entertaining.
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Apr 12, 2007 8:59 PM
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We all watch different TV shows for various reasons.
If I were to compare the TV shows I watch regularly to food, this would be my analogy:
Nightly News, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, etc.. Vitamins, fruits and vegetables, diet and exercise. . Not something you always look forward to ingesting (some of us, anyway) , but necessary in order to maintain good health.
Friday Night Lights. Filet Mignon with a good bottle of wine. Cream of the crop and the best.
Lost & Heroes. Whole Maine Lobster. It takes a lot of work to get to the good parts, but when you get there, it's worth it.
The Amazing Race & Survivor. A juicy Cheeseburger with Fries. Not something that you would want as a steady diet, but enjoyable at times.
CSI, ER, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order. Chicken. Sometimes you get a juicy, tasty one. Sometimes it's dry and tasteless.
PCD, Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen, Top Design, etc. Candy & Dessert. It has very little nutritional value, but it's something you crave. You consume it, even when you shouldn't.
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Apr 13, 2007 12:01 PM
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I love your analogy Lady Bug!!!
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Apr 13, 2007 2:16 PM
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Hi FelineFan55:
Thanks so much!!!
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Apr 13, 2007 8:34 PM
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"Is That PCD Show Making Folks Bipolar?"
No, but it gave me major Carpal Tunnel. 
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Apr 14, 2007 10:28 AM
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Hi, Rochell. I love your column!
The main reason I started watching is to catch a glimpse of the red-haired doll, Carmit Bachar. A music producer friend informed me that she attended our junior HS in Los Angeles and her mother was a dance teacher at that school.
I also have mixed feelings about the PCD show. Mikey Minden is obnoxious and wants to be black so badly it would make Kevin Federline blush. Robin Antin looks like an ugly drag queen. And Lil Kim is obviously the Paula Abdul of the group.
I enjoyed watching the PCD hopefuls perform "Big Spender", but otherwise this show is a big yawn.
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Apr 20, 2007 7:01 PM
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Carpal tunnel? HAHAHA!!! Good one, bigstar!
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Apr 24, 2007 9:44 PM
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I thought I was the only one who caught the carpal tunnel joke, since it took 10 days for anyone to post a response to it. Good going, bigstar.
Lady Bug, I liked your analogy relating the shows to the nutritional pyramid... it was so right on!
And no, Rochell, it's NOT just you. I'm witcha, girl! I love your columns. I came on board back when you did TV show commentaries. Glad to find you still here. We share like mindsets regarding television shows and characters. I wish you a looong and prosperous entertainment commentator career!
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May 3, 2007 4:56 PM
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Hi Rochelle,
I'm new and this isn't about the "Dolls" but you had made a comment in the last issue about the daytime Millionaire questions being harder than the original nighttime show. That is amazing! I just said that to my husband the other day. It's a rare day when you see a contestant leaving with even $16,000. I guess I'm not being paranoid after all.
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May 24, 2007 1:58 PM
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Coolgranny, Not only is Millionaire harder on daytime, but they make less at the beginning too. $25,ooo for the second amount you get to keep instead of $33,ooo. just figured I'd share this since I noticed a while back and needed to vent about it!
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May 29, 2007 11:47 PM
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Don't f-ing joke about being bipolar. It's not laughing matter. A TV show cannot make you bipolar, @#$%^&*
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Jun 13, 2007 4:14 PM
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This is on a different topic than PCD, but since it is the newest posting you have, I will put this here. I got the TV Guide today, and read your column (as I always do. You got it wrong when you say that the ridiculously stupid show, Pirate a la mode or whatever it is called has the highest prize this summer. There is a little show called America's Got Talent where the prize is One Million Dollars. Acyually double the prize of that OTHER show.
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Jun 19, 2007 6:37 PM
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I wanted to respond to your concern about the Lion who said something about kiling people. I have met the person who voiced this-he is an older gentleman who has lived a very colorful life but I don't believe he would harm anybody. He lives in an assisted living center in Hollywood. I know that because my Dad voiced the other lion. The people connected with the show went in an interviewed the residents on a number of different subjects and then put snipets in the show. My Dad died a few days after his voice was recorded so it was a thrill to hear his voice.
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Jun 21, 2007 1:11 AM
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