Spin-offs are bad. When a show that already exists gets a spin-off, you know it’s jumped the shark. They’ve run out of ideas; the writers are tired of thinking up gags featuring the same set of characters. Basically, they want to write the same show, but with different people, maybe a different location. And thus, the spin-off is born. There have been some terrible spin-offs, but none are as bad as the following…

5. Joey featuring Matt LeBlanc. Just before Friends finished up, the series seemed to have reached a point of not being funny anymore. We knew the characters so well. It was a good ending. And then Joey came lumbering at us and the Friends memory was tainted.

4. Anything featuring the Kardashians. Seriously, is there a show on E! that doesn’t feature them?!

3. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic circa 2011. Let’s leave the My Little Ponies in my childhood, thanks.

2. NCIS: Los Angeles as a boring spin-off of the already boring NCIS. A bad show spun off into a worse show, how is that possible?

1. Dwight Shrute from the Office may be getting his own spin-off. Um. No. Just no.

I woke up this morning and thought to myself, “Gosh, it’s been such a long time since I’ve heard about the Kardashians, I wonder what they’re up to. Kinda miss those krazies.”

Actually, that’s a complete lie. We know exactly where they are and what they’re doing at all times. And miss them? As if. But, I will tell you that during my morning commute I stumbled across the TwitPic accounts of both Kylie and Kendall and found some total gems. These Jenner girls are definitely keeping up with the Kardashians, successfully walking in big sises Khloe, Kim and Kourtney’s designer shoes. It was reassuring, however, (did I just say that?) to see that between photo shoots and shopping sprees, they’re taking time to do things that normal teenagers do. Like go to school.

Wanna see what it’s like to grow up Kardashian/Jenner? Take a look!

A Former Kardashian nanny tells all!

Ring in the new with the old

Celebs rocking the spirithoods

Which celeb would you want to kiss on NYE?

What we’ll miss from TV in 2012

Is the sexiest man alive dating someone?

Adorable and quirky pet names

Ryan Gosling is a martial arts master

What the internet is really good for

Kate Middleton is named the queen of British fashion

Should we stop keeping up with the Kardashians?

Social media’s somewhat negative effect on relationships

Scarlett Johansson opens up about about the nude photo scandal

Lilo gets her teeth fixed!

Superman is looking mighty fine

Can your f-buddy become your boyfriend?

Pairing ankle boots with a black jacket

Breaking up with your bffle

Today Kim Kardashian is 31 years old (she’s practically a fossil!). We got ahold of a schedule for the day that shows how Kim is celebrating (we got ahold of it because we made it up). Since Kim’s wedding was such a spectacle, her birthday celebration will most likely be one too.

5 a.m.- Kim wakes up

5:01 a.m.-The hair and make-up team arrives and glams her up.

6:00 a.m.- E! cameras show up

6:02 a.m.- Kris Humphries says something stupid

6:30 a.m.- Kris Jenner coaches Kim about all of the products she has to mention on camera. She tells her, “Kim, once you eat a slice of cake, make sure you say, ‘Thank god I have Quicktrim to burn this off!’”

7:00 a.m. Khloe and Kourtney arrive. They all talk about how lucky they are to be the three best sisters in the world. Kendall and Kylie cry.

8:00 a.m.-The party planner calls Kim and tells her everything is ready to go for her party tonight. The state of California has been evacuated in order for her to have her party.

8:30 a.m.- Kris Humphries says something stupid

8:35 a.m.-The forgotten siblings Rob, Kendall, and Kylie go out shopping for Kim’s present.

9:00 a.m.-Kim’s girlfriends take her out to a birthday breakfast. Kim pays for it.

11:30 a.m.- Wardrobe change.

12:00 p.m.- Bruce Jenner flies his model helicopter because he isn’t a part of the day’s festivities.

1:00 p.m.-Kim picks up her 20-foot-tall, ass-shaped birthday cake with leopard print icing.

2:00 p.m.- Sad reminiscing about how the Kardashian father would be so proud of his daughters and how he would love to see this day. My dad would be proud too if I was famous for giving Ray J a BJ.

3:15 p.m.- Khloe, Kourtney, and Kim all go to lunch wearing the Kardashian Kollection for Sears.

5:00 p.m.- GLAM TIME, EVERY ONE GETS READY FOR THE PARTY.

9:00 p.m.- The party starts, millions of celebs arrive.

9:45 p.m.- Kim shows up and enters to Jam (Turn It Up).

10:00 p.m.-Scott struggles with whether he should drink or not. He drinks. Obvi.

10:30 p.m.- Kourtney doesn’t know if she can be with someone who drinks two drinks at a party. She has to do what’s best for her and Mason.

11:00 p.m.- Kris Humphries tries to make a toast, but says something stupid instead.

11:30 p.m.-Kris Jenner makes a toast to Kim’s ass for making them all famous.

11:45 p.m.- Kim blows out her 31 candles.

12:00 a.m.- Dancing!

3:00 a.m.- The party is over and the Kardashian klan goes home. E! goes home too, but they will return tomorrow to shoot Mason’s Half-birthday Baby Party!

…not that that’s a bad thing. As much as we try to deny it, we all have a bit of an obsession with the family who’s not really famous for anything (besides freeing OJ Simpson), and I think they’re going to continue to cash in on that obsession. The Kardashian family has now extended to include Kendall, Kylie, Scott, Mason and all the guys any of the girls publicly dated, so I contacted E! to see what kinds of spin-off shows they had lined up.

1. Bush of Love: With Reggie Bush

Poor Reggie… we all fell in love with him back in the day when he was dating Kim, but no matter how many times we yelled “PUT A RING ON IT!” at the TV, the couple never got serious and eventually had an ugly, emotional break-up. Even though he lost out on Kim, he’s clearly won his way into the realm of “famous” athletes who are really only famous for dating celebrities and appearing on reality shows- you know, right up there with Chad Ochocinco. So what’s the next step for the Saints player turned tabloid king? His own dating show, obviously! 25 “aspiring actresses”/”models”/porn stars will move into a mansion and compete for screen time Reggie’s love until he finds The One.

2. Kris and Bruce: Divorce Court

Am I the only one who watches these shows and honestly feels bad for Bruce? He seems to be a sweet guy who cares about all the girls and only wants what’s best for them, but in exchange, Kris takes away his credit cards, makes him do all the housework, throws all his stuff into the garage and basically forces him to stay home all day playing with remote-control helicopters. Honestly, Kris still hasn’t had her big media moment and I think she’s ready to pull out the divorce papers… but only if the trials are broadcasted live and judged by Judge Joe Brown. I don’t know about you, but I’m #TeamJenner.

3. Kendall and Kylie take NY… but Only After They’ve Finished their Homework.

These girls are only 15 years old and E!’s already trying to promote them as professional young women ready to launch their own fragrance lines. It’s only a matter of time before Kris drops them off at the airport, hands them a few Benjamins and expects them to find love and success (more like sex tape partners and yet ANOTHER Dash boutique) in the Big Apple. Although, they’re probably going to have to finish high school and puberty first- oh wait, silly me… being a Kardashian means you get to skip the hard parts and go right for the riches.

4. Khloe and Lamar: Are We Pregnant Yet?

Ever since these two got hitched (which hasn’t even been that long since they got married after like 3 dates), the media’s been hyping up potential “baby bumps,” but then later learning that Khloe was carrying a few extra Twinkies- not a baby. When this show premieres, we’ll no longer have to rely on awkward-angled photos and over-sized clothing for a confirmation. The couple will take a weekly live pregnancy test every week, but only after all the viewers have called in or texted their votes to 1800-BABY-OR-TWINKIE (standard messaging rates may apply).

5. Rob Kardashian: It’s (Really Not That) Complicated

Unlike his crazy sisters who spend every minute in the spotlight, Rob tends to stay pretty under the radar… which is unfortunate because we tend to forget he exists, but in his new E! reality show, we’ll get to see what really goes on in the life of the last remaining male Kardashian (well, at least the last living semi-famous one). We’ll finally get to see him play hours of Xbox, going on vacation for no reason, playing golf with Scott, and still crying over his ex, Adrienne. No, but seriously- Hollywood life doesn’t get any more exciting than sitting around your mansion all day playing Black Ops and counting your inheritance cash.

Who’s your favorite Kardashian? Do you think we need more reality shows from them or should the E! writers come up with some new, original content?

Canada’s getting it’s own ‘Real Housewives’ francise

There must be a new season of ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ coming up

The details of Will and Kate’s trip to North America

3 Ways to make him fall for you

These movie posters make us really excited for summer movie season

How to dress like LeAnn Rimes and Minka Kelly

And a heart breaking story from an inspiring woman

Could Alcide from ‘True Blood‘ GET any hotter?!

Kim shows off that ring

In honor of Women’s History Month, CollegeCandy has decided to spotlight some of the world’s most influential women. Last week we focused on the women from our generation and this week, we pay attention to some of the most spectacular thirty-somethings. These are the women that show us life really does get interesting in your 30s, whether you’re a famous movie star or activist. Anything can happen, and just like these women have done in their 30s, we can make a difference in the world at any age.

But there’s one genre in particular that holds a special place in our hearts. That’s right, you guessed it, I’m talking about reality TV. Who needs actors and scripts when reality is just so damn entertaining all on its own? The people we watch, the situations they put themselves in, just can’t compete with figments of the imagination. And love ‘em or hate ‘em, reality shows have altered our lives and pop culture as we know it.

So, since it’s early on a Monday morning and there’s nothing on but the news (boring) and some Proactive infomercial (it’s too early for Avril Lavigne’s skin problems), let’s count down the top ten reality TV shows that changed our lives.

10. The Real Word. What? Do you think I have no sense of history? This is the longest running show on MTV. One of the longest running reality TV shows of all time. It set the standard for hot tubs and co-ed bathrooms and super dramatic fights that often involve throwing things. It’s a classic. It had to be here.

9. Iron Chef America. Or Top Chef. Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurentiis. Or Throw down with Bobby Flay. Basically any show that makes me hungry… while also teaching me what an amuse-bouche is. Or how to reduce cooking wine. Or the beauty of scallops. Seriously, why do I know these things? Oh yeah, TV.

8.  John and Kate Plus Eight Well, this one is not so much the show itself, but more the fact that it brought us the whirlwind that is Kate Irene Gosselin, the woman who just wanted a normal life for her kids. That’s why she let TLC film her as she “mothered them.” It’s why her divorce was scattered across tabloids. And it’s why she appeared on Dancing with the Stars. (Side note: Have you seen that woman’s hair?)  

7. Sixteen and Pregnant. And people wonder why teenage girls are making pregnancy pacts (and why twenty-something girls are making runs to CVS at 10pm to ease their minds after an 8-hour TV marathon).

6. Keeping Up With the Kardashians. When this show first started, I was not a loyal viewer. Who wanted to watch a family pretending like they actually have a reason to be famous? What do they even do? Sex tapes. Celebrity boyfriends. Been there, done that. Then I accidentally on purpose turned on the TV while it was on. I think you know what happened next….well, after I spent 4 hours mastering the intensely smokey eye.

5. The Real Housewives. Orange County. Atlanta. New York. New Jersey. D.C. Or Beverly Hills. Everyone has their favorite. This show is just one of the many reasons to be glad you’re still a college girl.

4 Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. This was the beginning of an era for MTV. The first of many “reality TV shows with the feel of a scripted drama.” This was LC’s big break. This was the show that gave us…

3. The Hills. Somehow I’ve managed to make it through life without ever seeing an episode. But even I understand the socio-cultural significance of this particular show. I mean Speidi alone was life altering. But the couple everyone (or at least I do) loves to hate was only the beginning. Drama. Deceit.  Juicy details. And then the last few seconds of the series finale. Enough said.

2. The Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad. This show has been on the air for eight years, providing viewers with almost a decade’s worth of pretty people breaking up, making out and freaking out. But let’s be honest, it never would have gotten the coveted number two spot if it hadn’t been for Brad Womack. He led us to DeAnna Pappas who led us to Jason Mesnick who led us to Jillian Harris who led us to Jake Pavelka who led us to Ali Fedotowsky. So much drama. So few brain cells. Add in a summer season of Bachelor Pad, and an upcoming repeat performance by Brad Womack, and this show just can’t be beat, well, except for…

1. The Jersey Shore. Come on. Did you really expect anything else here?  These people were the most popular Halloween costume of 2010.  They brought us t-shirt time, grenades, smushing and, of course, “CABS ARE HERE!” MTV gave them their own book. South Park dedicated an episode to them. They are pop culture.  As much as you might hate to admit it, Snooki, The Situation, Pauly D, JWoww and all the rest have wormed their way into the hearts’ of America, monumentally shaking the very foundations of our existence.

GTL ladies, GTL.

Which reality TV shows changed your life? Which one do you love? Love to hate? Or just plain old hate?

[Check out Jenn's other musings-in-the-form-of-a-list here.]

But which home is home?

We’ve been following Charlsie, a 2010 grad, on her journey through the post-grad life, from the big move to the big job hunt to the major “Is this real life?!” moments. And now, with fall in full swing, she’s got something else weighing on her mind.

Whether we want to believe it or not, the holidays are approaching. I know, it feels like summer just started – even though it really just ended – but the reality is that temperatures are dropping, leaves are starting to change, and before we know it, it’ll be time for turkey, presents, and busy shopping malls. Like many people, I’m left with the question of where to spend the holidays at.

In college, it was so black and white. For the holidays, I made the seven hour drive home to my mom’s for Thanksgiving break and winter break. My dad isn’t a big fan of celebrating the holidays, so whether he spent the season with my sister and me or not – it didn’t matter to him either way. So, when the holidays started to come up in discussion with my family, I immediately figured I’d go home to Atlanta.

But I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving someone else behind, no matter what kind of holiday location choice I make. And since plane tickets nearly cost an arm and a legs these days, it makes things even more complicated. Really, it seems impossible to please everyone.

For example, my boyfriend and his family have invited me to go skiing with them in Colorado for the holiday (I have never gone skiing before, this could be disastrous). As much as I want to, I don’t have the money for a plane ticket, ski rentals, and all other miscellaneous costs. It broke my heart having to say no, but at the same time, it would have broken my heart to not spend the holidays with my family. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

It feels like no matter what I pick though, I’m screwing someone over. If I’m not with my boyfriend (who I rarely get to see – long distance relationship, thank you for that), I worry about when we’ll see each other next. When I’m with my mom and sister, I worry about not being with my dad. When I’m out here in California, I worry about Keeping Up With the Kardashians (and discussing every detail with my sister).

Right now, I know I’m going to see my mom for Christmas, but I have no clue as to what I’m doing for Thanksgiving. Should I stay here with my dad? Should I head to my grandparents’ place for a few days? Should I meet my boyfriend in St. Louis? Should I just book myself a plane ticket and head to Cancun with a bottle of tequila and forget it all?

But seriously, I feel like this is on the beginning of my “Where do I go for the holidays?” future. You see it all the time in movies and on TV, couples trying to decide where to spend the holidays. People being split up amongst their divorced, dysfunctional parents. Families debating on whether to go to grandma in Tennessee’s house or grandma in Iowa’s house. Yikes. Decisions, decisions – just another thing to look forward to as I get older.

One thing is certain, though. Just because I’m a post-grad doesn’t mean I can avoid the hustle and bustle and shopping of the holiday season. No one can. Not even in October.