Ads for The Phone, the stupid new MTV reality show hosted by Justin Timberlake, have been filling up every commercial break during The Hills for a few weeks now.
But credit goes to the Chicago Tribune today for reminding me of JT’s former stance against such tripe.
Q Before we get to “The Phone,” tell me why you thought it would be a good fit for MTV.
A It made sense. We cast young contestants and wanted people who watch MTV to watch the show.
Obviously, the format of the network has changed, and I’ve had to come to grips with that.
Q MTV airs more reality shows than music videos, yes. It’s been that way for a long time, and you’ve been pretty outspoken about it.
A MTV came along, and they were so gung-ho about it, and, you know, I have a long relationship with them, so I had to be like, “OK, so I’m going to have to take my foot out of my mouth now.” I was the guy two years ago who did make that comment. [Specifically, during the 2007 Video Music Awards, he said: "Play more damn videos. We don't want to see 'The Simpsons' on reality television."] But, honestly, shortly after, I thought, “Maybe I need to lighten up?” Maybe the music video is supposed to exist on the Internet and nowhere else. I accept the bullet, and I will bite it.
If you haven’t seen the ads, his show is basically Fear Factor meets Amazing Race, with a dash of The Bourne Identity. High art it isn’t.
And yes, everybody has a price. I just didn’t realize Justin Timberlake’s was so low.
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I will never understand what women of any age see in this guy. He looks like a wimpy Leonardo DiCaprio to me.
A wimpy Leonardo DiCaprio? Timberlake must be the human equivalent of a wet noodle then.
Man I hope he doesn’t have anything bad to say about Star Search and the Mickey Mouse Club cause those are my two favorite shows ever.
I am a woman and I agree, Pasta… icky. Always has been and always will be.
What he failed to mention after the biting of the bullet was the $$$ the bullet would spit out after he took a bite.
Man, if bullets spit out money I would be biting them all day.
In other news, my price is a large pepperoni pizza. And a Coke. Or Cheesy Bread. Or oooh, I could go for some nachos right now, if you’ve got any I will totally sell out for them.
Ehhh….I can’t take him seriously since he wrote/sang that “D*ck in a Box” song on SNL with Andy Samberg.
same here pasta and kristine.. never thought this guy was good looking at all. why is he still around??
I don’t think he’s attractive either, but I like older men like Alan Rickman. Think he’s into women forty years his senior like he seemed to be in Love, Actually?
I don’t find men attractive period. Unless (of course) it’s Toby Kebbell. Oh, the morally wrong, the depraved and the illegal (in several US states and some countries) things I’d do that man if I had a chance…but I don’t…never will *cries*
I agree, Pasta. I don’t get the attraction for Justin or Leo. They both look like little boys trying to be men and failing miserably. I think I could beat either of them up.
But seriously, when is reality television going to finally fade away, or pare down to the watchable shows?
I remember when MTV actually showed videos instead of these crappy shows. Sigh, the good ole days to run to the TV to watch “Thriller” on its premier night.
And I agree, I am not much of a JT fan, but there are worse people out there. However, now that he is with Jessica I often wonder where he went wrong.
The sad part is that even if they did start showing videos again it would be all the lame hip hop crappy videos that all look exactly the same. Hell MTV couldnt even be satisfied with MTV2 pulling in a strong sudiance with the hard rock videos they were showing, I at least watch that at night. It is now just as bad as the original. Why hasn’t someone started another channel to replace them that plays videos, oh thats right MTV has most of them locked into non competetion clauses.
Not a fan of JT at all…bleh. But at least he see’s his own hyporcrisy. Most celebrities wouldn’t even acknowledge it.
The guy who was the lead man for NSync, which was basically a rehash of the Backstreet Boys, rip off of something?? Nah! I’m glad he backpedalled on his whole “play more damn videos” stance ’cause I would’ve been in danger of liking him more . . .
I always thought he looked like Leo, thank you, Pasta O:) And I never found either attractive :p “Icky!”
Aleric,
believe it or not, but VH1 actually shows videos. Although nowadays I prefer CMT. Even though they too have trashy shows, they at least have a good portion of the day devoted to playing videos. I prefer country to most of the “music” that is played lately.
AAW, remember when they would do world premier videos at like 7pm on MTV? Those were the days. I did not have a set bedtime on the weekends as a kid, and would stay up all night watching MTV and reading. Exciting, I know, but that’s how it was at the age of 12.
Chronic, I liked the world premier videos but ‘120 Minutes’ was the ultimate for this wannabe alterna-girl. I couldn’t stay up that late on Sunday nights so I’d record episodes on my Betamax.
How old is JT, 28? 30? Ah, he’s young. He’s got decades of hypocrisy ahead of him.
I guess what goes around and around and around and around and around and around and around and around…
Goshdarnitall, now that stupid song is gonna be stuck in my head all damn day.
Somebody shoot me now.
I remember spending the night at my friends house because she had CABLE and we could watch the premier of “Thriller.” We did not come off of the cloud anytime soon after that. Where did all the good days go?
And yes, JT is about 28 as he dated Brittany Spears and I think she is that old? young? crazy?
I do have to say that I enjoyed his blues performance at the grammys. He has a nice voice, one that I had never heard before because I was never into N’Sync, 98 degrees, etc. I was more of a NKOTB girl
Damn you bitches is snarky. The dude needs to make his paper, so he made a reality show. I hate reality shows, but if a reality show was like “Hey, slap your name on this and make tons of money!” I’d probably do that. So, let the guy change his mind, make his money, and be on his way.
Also, he is an extremely attractive man, don’t fool yourself because you are ugly.
I do believe we’ve just been served.
By a guy who forgets the critical L in “Public,” no less.
“Also, he is an extremely attractive man, don’t fool yourself because you are ugly.”
Must be the end covered up, it sure ain’t the end I see in this pic.
And when you slap your name on something to make money that’s called a SELLOUT.
simon and holly — hahaha! and i noticed the uh public thing too. anyway koka.. i agree and hollywood is FULL of sellouts. its sad.
For the amount of money he is being paid, it would be stupid not to sell out.
Also, the l was not forgotten.
MC Mom, 120 minutes and Headbanger’s Ball were both favorites for me. Those were the days!
If that’s good looking, may I continue to be butt ugly then.
I’m with Koka on this one. I keep picturing him in an extra-groovy Jersey shore Guido getup with a gift-wrapped box on his goolies. Highlight of his career, really.