Reality TV, by and far, sucks. This writer finds "Nanny 911" na've and can't endure a single episode of "Survivor." However, "On The Lot," which premiered on FOX on May 22 is about filmmakers competing for a spot at DreamWorks. Being a film student, I couldn't resist lifting my self-imposed reality TV exile.
Judging from the first episode, it's like film school all over again, only this time it's on fast-forward. No sooner do the contestants arrive at the Universal Studios lot than the prize is restated, the judges are introduced and the contestants are given their first task of making pitches (proposals for a movie idea) for the three judges.
Speaking of judges, it's hard to imagine why, out of the dozens upon dozens of available people working in Hollywood, they chose these three. Granted, the actress formerly known as Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), Brett Ratner ("X-Men 3") and Garry Marshall ("Pretty Woman") aren't exactly small potatoes, but getting a Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") or a Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man") would have done much to increase the credibility of the show.
Furthermore, what may infuriate some fans of vicarious viciousness is how the judges are so gentle with their prey. Of the three judges, only Ratner tries to pull a few half-hearted Cowell-isms, but in the end his most scathing quip, said after dealing with a bounty of half-baked ideas and convoluted stories, is "I'd like to pitch lunch." At least all three know what they're talking about - their criticisms are honest, thoughtful and ensure that the contestants walk away having learned something.
In fact there always feels to be many holes in this show. The biggest one is that we're not given a chance to relish in anything. Only four pitches are even shown and almost every contestant we're introduced to, is axed right out of the gate. This makes identification with anybody a virtual impossibility.
I would wager, in fact, that those who don't visit the Web site www.thelot.com are missing out on as much as 60 percent of the real show. For instance, on the TV program, Kenny Luby is shown as not quite confident in his overall vision for a film and borders on incompetent when on set, much to the ire of his two partners.
However, a quick look at the Web site would show that Luby's winning film "... So Today ..." is among the most thoughtful films in the whole competition. It's a bittersweet, semi-autobiographical tale of two friends meeting to skate around town one last time. The style employed creates what could only be described as a visual poem by way of MTV. It's also one of the most viewed and best rated.
That said, "On The Lot" is by far still better than all the shows featuring people humiliating themselves for their 15 minutes of fame. Here, at least the tension feels organic - creative endeavors always fuel antagonism, triumph and humor with film being no exception. Its deep-seated flaws aside, there could be far worse things than coming "On The Lot" twice a week.
"On The Lot" airs at 9 p.m., Tuesdays on Fox.
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