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Reality tv has been the staple television programming for numerous networks for quite a few years now. Just set up some hidden cameras or a discreet film crew and film. The blend of real life drama and cheap production cost make it a win-win situation for viewers and producers alike.

However, given the instant fame that it brings the reality tv contestants, can we even assume that these are everyday, regular people? And, to heighten the drama, can we trust that the producers won’t manipulate story line?

It can be argued that Mark Burnett created the reality tv phenomena with the grand daddy of them all, Survivor. The concept was simple enough: in a micro environment, who was best fitted to survive the group dynamics and the environment. Logically speaking, you’d think the best outdoor survivalists would win. However, in cases more often than not, it’s the person who best plays the players that win. So is this representative of a real life emergency situation that you’d shun the nicest people and those who are actually capable of fending for themselves in the outdoors?

Stripping down of the external hardships, Big Brother is another non-scripted show that makes you wonder if people really behave this way. Stuck inside a house and bored out of their minds, we spy from the hidden cameras that the contestants have nothing better to do than to plot the demise of one of their own. For this game, the ability to wheel and deal, forge alliances and backstab is the route to victory.

If you have ever noticed, reality tv contestants are also generally pretty good looking. This probably is not a true reflection of the office slobs that the general public has to deal with. However, one thing is for certain, genetically gifted people are given the leg up for at least being casted in the show. The work is probably a godsend for struggling actors and models trying to get a break. And no doubt that they are probably all about getting screen time by creating drama for the benefit of the producers watching behind their hidden spy cameras.

So, is reality tv real, and is it just a microcosm of everyday life? Yes and no. It is a fact that good looking people will get ahead in the world. However, people do tend to want to live in harmonious situations. But all this changes when your livelihood and self preservation is at stake. Once threatened, all civility goes out the window. The situation is the same when there’s a promotion or something else that will help you advance your status in life. Therefore, don’t be surprised by backstabbing coworkers in the corporate world. While the audience can watch the contestants every move with hidden cameras, we don’t have this luxury in the workplace. Maybe reality tv can teach us something after all.

WeSpy4U sells a variety of wireless hidden cameras. USB pen camera and other gadgets available.

Everybody wants to know how to get free cable TV. We’re all tired of getting ripped off by cable companies and satellite TV companies and we’re all tired of paying through the roof just to be able to watch TV.

The question is what is the best way to get that free cable TV?

The answer is probably not what you would think.

Most people, when they research how to get free cable TV, are almost always intent on finding some way to pirate the channels or descramble the signal. The problem with this is that it is illegal and if you get caught, you can incur some hefty fines and even go to jail. You don’tt want to mess with a descrambler as it can be unreliable and you definitely don’t want to get caught trying to mess with the cable boxes in your back yard - it is just not worth the time and effort.

So if you shouldn’t pirate or descramble cable TV, how can you get it for free?

The answer is very easily.

It’s called the Internet.

The Internet has changed our lives forever. We now have access to almost anything we can think of at our fingertips. We can check sports scores, check the news, shop, play games, set up personal pages through MySpace and Facebook and do a whole myriad of other things from our computer when connected to the online world.

And now we can watch TV for free through the Internet as well.

Imagine being able to watch sports, movies, comedy, news, and kids shows etc. - all for free! Imagine not having monthly charges in excess of $75 or $100 just to be able to watch your favorite shows or sporting events. Well you don’t have to imagine it anymore because it is a reality.

To most people’s surprise, there are literally over 3000 channels available to watch online - including ESPN, CNN, FOX and whole host of other popular channels without having to fork out ridiculous monthly fees.

The great thing about this is that you will not need any extra hardware, software, or cables at all. You simply download the software tuning application for a one-time small fee (you’ll be surprised how small) and you’ll be able to watch all your favorite shows and channels free for life. There are no hidden fees and no monthly charges ever!

So stop paying that ridiculous cable or satellite bill because there is a new and better way to watch TV - through the Internet.

Get free cable tv today! Click the link and you could be watching your favorite channels within minutes!

Part of the appeal that has reality TV shows so intriguing is the fact that the characters are true-life people, folks who could be your neighbors or co-workers. This engages the audience in a way that not only allows them to relate to the characters, but also makes them feel as if they too could be a television star by being on one of these shows.

Many people in fact do want to be on a reality television show and would like to know how, when and where they can audition to be on shows like The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor and others. Below are some tips on how to prepare for your reality TV show audition.

Get Started

Several reality shows allow candidates to apply online or by mail. For other shows, you must make a videotape of yourself and send it in. There are many reality shows that require that you audition in person. In order to start preparing for the audition process, you’ll need to find all the details of that process. Start by looking at the TV network Web sites for reality TV show casting information

When and Where?

There are many online sources for finding out when and where live auditions are held for reality shows. Some blogs or audition sites list audition schedules for multiple reality shows. If you are interested in a specific show only, for example The Amazing Race, you could go to the Web site of the TV network that the show is on to find audition information. Once you know when and where auditions are, you’ll need to figure out the logistics of being available for and getting to the audition. There may not necessarily be an audition in your home town or city. In this case, you’ll need to arrange travel to the nearest audition site.

Know Your Story

Whether you are applying to be on a reality TV show online, through the mail, or showing up to a live audition, you must prepare by knowing what you will say about yourself. You will need to portray yourself as an interesting person. Start by brainstorming a list of as many different facts about yourself as you can possibly think of. Include places you’ve live, places you’ve been, accomplishments you’ve made, anything at all that makes you interesting. After that, narrow it down to 5-10 interesting tidbits that you can memorize and speak about on demand.

Make for Good Drama

Many of today’s reality shows claim they’re not casting to fill niches or to create conflict. Despite those claims anyone who has seen more than one episode of any reality show can tell this is not always true. The fact is, reality TV must have some drama in order to be interesting and engaging. Casting people that are likely to create interesting types of conflict ensures this element will be covered. You can use this to your advantage. First off, make sure to keep it real. Don’t lie or grossly exaggerate. Think about your opinions and outlooks on controversial matters. Play up certain things about your lifestyle that may clash with that of someone else. Play up certain things about you that make you likely to fill a certain niche.

Confidence is Key

In conclusion, once you have found out all the details about the audition, prepared and memorized your ’story’, and strategized your drama factor, focus on your confidence. You must come across as someone outgoing who is not afraid to be themselves and be outspoken. If nothing else, focusing on this will give you the greatest chance of being cast on a reality TV show.

HNE Castings is an agency that do casting only for reality tv shows. Visit us at HNE Castings.

Chace Crawford is the sexy Nate Archibald in the television series Gossip Girl which is broadcast on the CW network. Gossip Girl began as a book series and because of its popularity became a major network television series. Gossip Girl has only been on for one season, and that includes a writers strike hiatus, and its popularity is off the charts. Shows like Dawsons Creek, Beverly Hills 90210 and The O.C. paved the way for this show by creating an entire genre of teen to young adult dramas on primetime.

Gossip Girl finds its niche because it addresses issues that people can relate to from across the world. The show centers around six main characters that all attend same sex, private high schools in the prestigious Upper East Side. The girls go to the Constance Billard School for Girls while the boys attend St. Judes.

The six main characters are Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen, Jenny Humphrey, Nate Archibald, Chuck Bass and Dan Humphrey. All of them live in the Upper East Side and come from wealthy families except Dan and Jenny Humphrey who hail from Brooklyn. One of the most interesting parts of the television show Gossip Girl is that the main character is someone that you never even see. Gossip Girl actually refers to the narrator of the show and she is someone whom we never see on the show. She only communicates with the other characters on the show via cell phone text messaging. All of the gossip filters through her and then she sends out mass texts to everyone on the network, which is pretty much everyone who attends those private and prestigious high schools. A lot of the time she receives her gossip from some of the main characters in the show when they are trying to instigate trouble or drama.

The real Nate Archibald is Chace Crawford, and he is just as handsome in real as his charming character is on Gossip Girl. Chace Crawford is originally from Plano, Texas and was raised by his father, a dermatologist and his mother, a teacher. He grew up with one sister who won the Miss Missouri USA title in 2008. After graduating from high school he moved to Malibu, California to attend Pepperdine University. He struggled to find a career path so half way through his second year, his mother suggested that he try out acting. He credits her for initiating his bold move and it is clear by his performance on Gossip Girl that he made the right choice.

Know more about the very charming Chace Crawford by visiting our website.

Gossip Girl is a book series by Cecily von Ziegesar that was adapted for television in the year 2007. The show is produced by Josh Schwartz and it first debuted on the CW network to mixed reviews. Many people who had read the series felt that the television show did not do the characters and storylines justice and that it was simply not as good. Ziegesar took a stand and announced that she was very happy with the television series and that she was pleased to see they had used all of her storylines.

The Gossip Girl TV show is comprised of six main characters with a lot of minor characters who come and go as well. The main characters are Serena van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Nate Archibald, Chuck Bass, and Dan and Jenny Humphrey. Serena, Blair, Nate and Chuck all live on the Upper East Side, but Dan and Jenny live in Brooklyn. All of the males attend a same sex high school in the Upper East Side called St. Judes while the girls attend the Constance Billard School for Girls. Both of these are private schools which is why Dan and Jenny can attend even though they live in Brooklyn. Dan and Jenny Humphrey live with their father, Rufus, a musician who was really big years ago, but still performs today. Since Rufus is somewhat of a struggling musician he can not provide the luxuries for his children that all of their friends have. Dan is very grounded and is happy with his life, but Jenny loses sight of what is important when she gets caught in the mix with some of the wealthy girls at school.

Dan spends years admiring Serena from afar, but never has the courage to approach her and tell her how he really feels. When Serena returns from a year abroad Dan decides that this is his last chance to be with her. Despite the fact that Serena was raised in a privileged lifestyle that Dan can only dream of, they get along very well and their relationship takes a romantic turn almost immediately. Throughout the course of their relationship on the Gossip Girl TV show, they discover that Rufus and Lily, the mother of Serena, had a romantic relationship years ago. It becomes clear to them that they are just an example of history repeating itself, as it does so often in the world.

For more details on Gossip Girl TV Show, please visit our website.

Blake Lively plays Serena van der Woodsen in the hit television show, Gossip Girl. Serena is slim and ethereally beautiful; she is admired by every other girl in the show. She is very intelligent, but she is told often that she is not working to her full potential. She lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan and comes from a family that is very prominent in New York society. She plays a very modest yet beautiful girl who is sought after by many guys in the show. She is a true romantic and is swept off her feet by Dan Humphrey, the lower middle class classmate from Brooklyn.

The real life of Blake Lively is not that far from the character she portrays on the series. She was born in Tarzana, California and is the youngest of five children. Both her parents were actors and all of her siblings have acted at one point as well. They are a very talented family and are well known in the acting world. Lively did not always want to be an actress though and it was not until later in life that she realized this desire.

As a child she was homeschooled and ironically, one of her home school classmates was actor Penn Badgley, who plays her love interest on the television series. Blake Lively went to Burbank High School in Burbank, California where she was in the National Show Choir. She was very popular in high school, just as she is in Gossip Girl and she was senior class president as well as a cheerleader. All through high school Lively had plans to attend Stanford University, but the summer between her junior and senior year, her brother had his agent send her out on a few auditions. She only went on two auditions, but in one of them she landed her very first acting role as Bridget in the film, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. She actually did very well in her film debut and won a Teen Choice Award nomination for the Choice Movie Breakout Female.

Blake Lively put her college dreams on hold and appeared in movies such as Accepted, Simon Says, and Elvis and Anabelle. She will actually reprise her role as Bridget in 2008 in the sequel, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Blake Lively is a force to be reckoned with and she looks like she will be on the circuit for a long time.

Know more about Blake Lively by visiting our website.

It is another working day after being entertained by the Eurovision song contest over the weekend. A spectacular live show, broadcast in several countries and worldwide over the Internet. This year the competition was held in Belgrade Serbia. With a capacity of around 20,000 people, the Belgrade Arena is one of the largest venues ever to host the Eurovision Song Contest. Like all Eurovision contests, this year’s edition did not disappoint. There were many high points from funny dress to an intriguing mix of songs.

It is amazing how a day is too long in showbiz. By Tuesday night most people had ceded the Eurovision 2008 crown to the Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won Eurovision in 1999 as Charlotte Nilsson. She was poised to enter the annals of history as the only woman to win the crown twice since the inception of the contest. Ireland’s Johnny Logan is the only singer to have won twice in the competition’s 53-year history, in 1980 and 1987.

Well, her song ‘Hero’ did not win Sweden the 5th title as widely expected but she put up a very good show. It is a shame that she wasn’t even among the top three. I have listened to the song over and over again on You Tube and although I wouldn’t say that it is better than Shady Lady sung by Ukraine’s Ani Lorak, it certainly would have competed well against the Russian singer Dima Bilan and Secret Combination by Kalomira of Greece who took first and third position respectively. To be honest I think position 18 was a slap in the face of talent for the Swedish entry just as I think that Andy Abraham’ UK entry did not deserve to come last in this year’s contest which presented both raw talent and mediocrity in equal measure.

What I like most is the heated debate that often kicks off the minute the winner is announced. The debate often goes on until the small hours of the morning and in the next two weeks at work, pub and other social gatherings. The gossip after the contest is often an anti-climax to the tension and excitement that built up, as the national selection contests last barely a couple of weeks before the main event.

The gossip and criticism can sometimes overshadow the winner’s tour. Dima Bilan the 2008 winner is already in Helsinki, Finland ready to kick off the winner’s tour, barely 2 days since he won but the criticism, jealousy and disappointment is still simmering from those who think their act was unfairly shoved from being crowned king or queen of Europe. We all believe that Televoters from 43 countries decide who is the best talent. But pundits and bloggers beg to differ. Many think this contest has become political. Reading rave blog posts in Western Europe you would think this is farce of a competition.

In my opinion between traditional and commercial appeal, the UK, Swedish, Latvia, French, Armenia, Israel and Spanish entries presented the kind of mix that would continue making this contest a show for for all in this era ruled by a disco beat which is often devoid of originality. But when all is said an done, you may not agree that the Eastern Europeans are voting as a political block, but you will agree that Andy Abrahams and other artists of his calibre will start giving this show a miss if something is not done about the voting system. No artists will want to put his or her reputation at stake by going to a competition where from the onset you know you might bag the dubious title of a loser just because your country is not viewed favourably by voters.

There are many people with vested interest that goes beyond the charm of being entertained. It is worthwhile mentioning the economic aspect of this huge event. Before the event there was a lot of travelling and travel offers to Belgrade. Hosting this event must have been a boon to the city’s economy. I saw a newspaper, which was offering a package with hotel and tickets to the Eurovision Song Contest at a ridiculous fee. If your country, winning or losing, does not affect your taste for travel, prepare for a Eurovision package to Russia next year.

The one thing I do not want to miss is the CD with all the songs from this year’s contest. Advanced technology means you won’t have to buy all songs singly as we used to in the past; it is all in a CD. The double album contains all 43 songs taking part in this year’s competition. Long time fans used to buy Eurovision Song contest entries on 7″ vinyl record! Imagine you dusting all the 43 separate vinyl. See you in Russia next year.

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in Gatwick Parking, Gatwick Hotels, spare some time and read my blog here safari news

The public talent show began humbly enough: when Opportunity Knocks bounded from radio to ITV in 1956 winners were selected by postal vote. Aahh, it all seems rather quaint now doesn’t it? Of course, this lead, eventually, to votes being cast by premium phone lines, a system, some 25 years later, still in use.

Though the format of modern day programmes like X Factor or I’d Do Anything is similar to its televisual ancestors like Opp. Knocks or The Gong Show it differs in one vital aspect: which is, of course, that these shows offer a ‘career’ as a prize. The winners of X Factor are landed with recording contracts and album deals; in I’d Do Anything they are handed a lead role in a real West End show.

With the livelihoods of producers, directors and co-stars riding on the aptitude of the winners, one may legitimately find themselves wondering: what if the public get it wrong?

After all, the public record at choosing stars is less than, well, shall we say exemplary? Michelle McManus was dropped by her record company 19 Entertainment a year and a half after winning Pop Idol. Steve Brookstein on the other hand, lasted only eight months with Sony BMG after winning X Factor before he was dropped into obscurity.

Then, of course, there are different motives behind peoples’ votes. The Eurovision Song Contest, for example, is rife with accusations of ethnic and political bias. At the close of this year’s competition in Belgrade, the Russian act Dima Bilan emerged triumphant with 272 points. As many critics have pointed out though, Russia received the maximum 12 points from most of the former Soviet states. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia all chose the Russian entry as the winner. Even esteemed Eurovision pundit Terry Wogan remarked, as the result was being announced, that “This is no longer a music contest”

Herein, it seems, lies the problem: if you allow the public to choose, you must accept their choice, motives and all. You cannot expect a collective of millions of people to value the same things equally and, if they want to vote (or indeed, not vote) for certain competitors for political or social or ethnic reasons, then you cannot stop them.

And this problem is not just confined to popular culture. Carol Levine expands the conflict of art and democracy in her book Provoking Democracy: Why we Need the Arts. She describes art as ‘democracy’s friendly enemy’ prodding and provoking its shortfalls. Democracy and art then, it would seem, may not be the cosiest of bedfellows.

Allowing the public to help mould their celebrities whether they be novelty variety acts or West End starlets is certainly very popular but is it very helpful? In this digital age of rocketing bandwith and countless content streaming services, our choice of entertainment has never been paralleled; but has this improved matters? With phone in talent shows and public contests we certainly have unfettered access, but whether that is access to great art or great spectacle is still up for debate.

Samantha is a London theatre fanatic and regular West End theatregoer. She writes and researches some of the biggest London shows you can view examples of her work here London Shows, Dirty Dancing and Joseph.

Although it may seem brand new the technology behind flat screen TV has been around for a number of years. Now that there have been improvements in manufacturing technology they are now easier and cheaper to produce and therefore more readily available to the average consumer. The level of quality and affordability to which we now have access as consumers is causing us to raise the bar of our expectations for other technology in consumer electronics as well.

Of course now that we have this fantastic level of consumer technology in our televisions we need to maintain that level of quality in those components we use such as speakers and other necessities. The largeness of the screen and the superior colors and picture quality all contribute to the overall entertainment experience of simulating a large professional movie theater experience. With the improvements in technology and global production benefits the level of quality and affordability will only get better for the consumer.

The amazing colors and stunning picture quality can be attributed to the use of xenon and neon gasses within the set. These safe gasses inertly move between two flat panels of glass. This procedure allows for the display of 16000000 colors which is what provides such a superior picture.

The longevity of a flat screen TV can be measured in a qualitative manner based on the number of hours it can run until the quality of it’s picture degenerates to 50 this is called it’s “half life”. The standard half life is about 60 000 hours. An excellent warranty that includes free or low-cost service will contribute to full enjoyment of every hour.

You’ll find that the standard flat screen TV is about 4 to 5 inches deep and is thinner than your normal television. The thinness of the device allows a great deal of flexibility in determining where to install it. Mounting it on the wall becomes an option that you didn’t have with your previous TVs.

The flat screen TV is a delicate piece of equipment and this needs to be taken into consideration when moving and placing it. Even small bumps can cause unexpected problems in screen quality and if a repair is possible it can be quite expensive. Parents should consider installing one so that it is high enough to avoid flying toys and rough housing children. You can use wall mounts so that you can tilt it down for a comfortable view.

Now that they are more obtainable you see that there are also special cabinets and furniture as well that will go along with your purchase. No matter your eccentricities you are bound to find a match to your flat screen TV accessory requirements. You will find that you can protect your flat screen TV in a sturdy cabinet that is also quite stylish as well.

When considering how much to spend when you buy a flat screen TV make sure to not only consider the actual television itself but also a warranty furniture like cabinets and accessories as well as any delivery costs. Today’s larger versions use a lot of electricity however this technology is constantly evolving and in the near future the consumer will have access to more energy efficient models that will be less expensive to everyone.

Zark Barker runs flatscreentvsite.com

With all the advances in modern technology these days, there is no need to go out for that evening of entertainment, particularly when it comes to gaming, music and films. Many people are dedicating an area of their homes to home entertainment and set up complete evenings when friends visit, bringing popcorn and beer and turn it all into a private ‘going out’ experience.

For this purpose, we have projector installation for the home. Not only can you create a whole lot more ambience with projector installation but you can also rig it all up to bring a whole new atmosphere, depending on what you want to do with it. Surround sound and mood lighting create an entirely different feel to just sitting and watching a flat screen.

Projector installation is also an excellent idea for when you want to save space. Emerging from the ceiling, your projector will simply send your image to the screen without losing any quality and can be easily stored away when not in use. This is also very useful for when you want to use the room for other purposes at other times, such as a games room.

By far the best use of projector installation is for watching TV channels. This is a really cool way of setting up your TV viewing, saving space and enjoying a top quality picture. If you are in the realms of the ultra lucky and can afford a whole entertainment area then, as well as projector installation, go for a flat screen TV dedicated to filming and games.

Set this TV up with the latest technology and you will be in for an unbelievable experience that far surpasses visiting a cinema or games arcade. This new technology involves a joining of many aspects to your TV and will bring the whole experience into your room.

You can set it up to feel wind in your hair, see mood lighting change to create suspense or to relax depending on what you are and you can even hook it up to your furniture to feel the vibrations that come with explosions, collisions, ricocheting bullets and even weather conditions on your film or game.

Watch any celebrity real life documentary on TV and you will see at least one room dedicated to a cinema. Projector installation would have been employed along with plush seating, blacked out windows and sound proofing. Wow, I could hide myself away in one of these rooms for a long time! Give me a duvet and a supply of wine and chocolate and I think I’d never come out!

As you will see from most pubs and clubs, projector installation is not limited to the home. Many of these establishments use it to enhance the mood of the crowd and attract people in with the sports match of the season being screened most weekends.

You can even have projector installation applied outside in your garden or on the patio. This is an brilliant idea for the summer, Enjoy the fresh air but never miss your favourite shows or films, even watch music videos and sports from the comfort of your sun lounger. Alternatively, invite a few mates round, get them to bring the beer and enjoy your tastes in your own time and enjoy the latest ‘going out’.

Entertainments expert Catherine Harvey looks at how projector installation can improve your popularity among friends.