On certain days when life is feeling pretty meh, or I’m too stressed out, I look to TV to cheer me up. Not to the critically acclaimed shows but to the trashy or mindless shows that make me zone out. Here are a few of my go-to guilty pleasures.

What are you TV guilty pleasures?! Tell us below!

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This week the cast for the new season of Basketball Wives was released. This reality TV guilty pleasure is on its fourth season, which means they’ve got to be doing something right. But as I flipped through the new cast roster, I realized that NONE of them are even actually the wives of these NBA athletes. They’re all either ex-wives, baby mamas or ex fiances. Really, VH1? C’mon, get some actual wives to be on the show Basketball Wives. I guess at the end of the day, this all makes for better TV, which is fine by me because reality television is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But seriously, there are women out there who are legally married to men with far superior professions.

In the spirit of this new season of Basketball Wives, I can’t help but think about these other wives who would be just as interesting — if not more so! — than those featured in the VH1 hit. Sometimes the most common of jobs can be the most fascinating. I now present you with eight shows that I think need to be filmed immediately and broadcast to millions of reality TV junkies such as myself. What do you think?

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Katie is finishing up her undergrad at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. She enjoys wasting hours on Facebook and tweeting things no one cares about. When asked the question, “Do you do marathons?” She promptly responds, “Of course! Which show?” Follow her @KatieGarrity! Or read her blog here!

[Lead image via Luis Louro/Shutterstock]

Recently, we got the chance to interview Iliza Shlesinger, the first funny-gal to walk away with the Last Comic Standing title. After walking home a winner, we followed her comic genius on her personal twitter, @iliza. Now she plays the bad guy on the hot new dating show, Excused. The reality dating show is set to take off tonight on VH1, but check you can check the Facebook fan page for Excused to find out when and where the show will be playing on your network.

On the show, Iliza kindly excuses possible dates based on the first impression they give the contestant. Unlike other dating shows, you and I could be contestants on the show! (Tweet the show @excused for more details on how to participate.)

In between her busy schedule and hours of filming for the show, Iliza gave us the answer to a few burning questions we had on our kinky college minds…

1. Off the top of your head, what’s the craziest thing you did in college?

Eesh, one time I ate too many mushrooms. I trashed my room, yelled at a shampoo bottle and seriously contemplated throwing my computer out of the window. Oh, I’ve also been skydiving- so that was super fun.

2.     We’ve heard a lot about your new show, Excused, which begins airing on VH1 on November 14^th. (Show also is syndicated across the country – check facebook/excused for local channel and air time). Why should college girls watch this show? What will have us tuning in?

College girls should watch my show because it gives you a crash course in what kind of douche bags are out there waiting for you in the real world. The better prepared you are, the less likely you are to end up dating a white rapper guy with a glittery dragon emblem on his jeans. That goes for guys too, there’s a lot of gross girls out there, it’s better you know what to look for so you can avoid a first date that involves handjobs and subsequent crying.

3.     Who are your biggest comic influences?

I never understood that question or why anyone would care.  I feel like people ask that so they can look at your art, pick it a part and be like “oh, I can see where he/she gets that part from.” But, since you asked, for me, it was never other stand ups. I loved sketch comedy as a kid. SNL, Kids in the Hall, In Living Color. For me it’s always been about characters and scenes- I think that’s why so much of my stand up is big with a lot of movement and voices- it’s colorful. Also my parents are really funny. I can’t tell you which is funnier because if I did and either of them were to read this, there’d be a fist fight…of words. No really, it wouldn’t be fun for me (they’re divorced).

4.     What’s the best moment from filming so far? (Best blooper, best/worst first impression, etc…)

I mean, people are crazy- so it’s always fun to see who walks in that door but once in a while people will have epic meltdowns when they are excused. We had this one blonde girl lose her shit when she was excused at the end of the night. She was HAMMERED and started yelling, cursing, threatening to beat the guy up- she even knocked things over. She was on the war path looking for the guy who excused her (who was sitting on set in another room with me- hiding from her). At one point in her drunken tirade she yelled out “YOU DON’T KNOW WHO YOUR FUCKING WITH! I’M TOM HANKS’ NIECE” and, as you can imagine, we were all super impressed…

5.    Have you ever excused a date the minute you saw them at the door? If so, how did they take it? Didn’t do it? Ever wish you had? Why?

No, because in real life, that’s rude. One time I agreed to go out with this guy who I had met once and, not really remembering what he looked like (thanks to a lot of Mango Vodkas) I went- and when I got to the date, not only was he not cute, he was annoying and kind of bratty. But I stayed for a drink, thanked him and left then did the classy thing by ignoring his texts for the next few days. I’ve had a few people (more guys than girls have admitted this on my show) who tell stories of blind dates where they pull up to pick up the girl, she’s ugly and they drive off. The psychological ramifications of an action like that can be severe and that girl will do one of two things. She’ll either go on to hate men and become like a super slut with issues OR lose the weight, get Proactive and become like SUPER hot but with a chip on her shoulder…her hot, well oiled, perfectly tan shoulder. On camea making funny jokes about someone’s outfit or weirdness is one thing, but to call someone straight up ugly isn’t cool- I never do that on my show. Just remember, as hot as you might think you are, there’s someone out there who finds you repugnant.

6.    We know you see a lot of dating-don’ts on your show, so what are a few things you’re looking for in a guy? What shouldn’t a guy do if he’s trying to impress you at the door?

If a guy wants to impress me at the door…He probably shouldn’t be a contestant on a dating show. But in real life, if I’ve already let you come to my house? It means you’ve already impressed me with either your ability to bench your body weight or your firm grasp of the notion that it’s not okay to wear Sketchers or any sort of MMA apparel.

7.      Can you tell us about your best and worst college dating experience?

I can’t. I didn’t “date” in college, I kind of always had a boyfriend. Just because I make jokes on a dating show doesn’t mean I’m Carrie Bradshaw.

8.  Any tips for a girl about to embark on a classic walk of shame?

Can’t say I’ve ever had a walk of shame…because, even as a drunken 19 year old, I knew better than to sleep with a random dude and then walk home in my Wet Seal mini dress. Tip number one, ask that asshat to walk you home, for god’s sake, there’s bears outside.

9. If you had to spend the rest of your life only making fun of one celebrity, who would it be? 

I guess myself- which I already do…because I’m a stand up comic. The celebrity part is questionable though.

10. Drink of choice?

For like getting drunk? Anything fruity. If it’s got mango in it, it’s going on my tab, oh, I also like pear. Other than that I usually drink water- I also love Red Bull. LOVE IT…oo and fun coffee drinks

11. A lot of our readers are constantly debating between reaching for their dreams or shooting for a realistic, attainable career goal.  What would you say to those readers?

If you have to debate that choice, then you’re not cut out for your dreams. Passion always finds a way. Follow your passion and everything else will work out. No one ever made it as a famous actor by also working full time as an accountant. When I decided to do stand up comedy full time (without any offers from anyone to make that a reality) I quit my job. I knew that I couldn’t devote myself to writing, doing sketches, going on the road etc unless I made the choice to make it a full time endeavor. So I quit my office job and made it work. I got paid to write web shows, I got paying stand up gigs, I sold a web series I did anything I could within the realm of comedy to stay afloat…and then I got on Last Comic Standing 6 weeks later and ended up winning. A non traditional road to success, but a road I actively chose to go down vs staying at an office job and dabbling in stand up. Just go for it, you can always get another shitty job if all else fails.

12. What’s the most surprising thing about filming a TV show that non-TV stars would be shocked to learn?

It takes a really long time. Our show takes over thirteen hours a day to shoot just one date. It’s a marathon. It can take hours just to get a few moments  so THINK ABOUT THAT the next time you’re at home drunk makin’ out with a dude and have my show on in the background so you can have a little bit of  mood lighting the dark so that when you take your clothes off he can get the idea of your body without seeing anything too close up. IT TAKES HOURS TO MAKE THE ART YOUR TAKING FOR GRANTED! hahah also sometimes I don’t wear shoes if I have a long dress on, no one at home can tell.

In an unexpected move, VH1 is scrapping the majority of its lineup and starting from scratch. The network recently revealed the most comprehensive slate of original programming in its history, and missing are the very franchises that helped transform the one-time purveyor of music videos into a (much-watched) three-ring circus of “celebreality” and sometimes crass dating shows.

“I think it was really just part of our evolution. We’re a pop culture network by definition, so we do always have to be molding and moving,” Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming and production at VH1, tells PopEater exclusively. “We’ve had such a great run, and really had a blast with all those shows, but it just felt like, ‘OK, what’s the next thing gonna be?’”
VH1 will unveil a total of 44 original series before the end of the year. Each series is expected to fall into one of three categories: music, celebrity and “real life stories.” “We’re expanding the ways we tell a story so that we have more ways to reflect on what’s happening in the music and pop culture that our viewers love,” Olde says of the network’s new direction.

Finish reading this PopEater exclusive right here!

Miley is NO Celine Dion.

When I think of divas, my mind automatically goes to artists such as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion or Whitney Houston. But VH1 has other plans for this year’s Divas show, premiering live tomorrow night. Kelly Clarkson, Adele, Leona Lewis, Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus will be the headlining performers this year.

Now, I love Miley. “Party in the USA” has become my new anthem. But would I qualify her as a diva? I don’t think so. I don’t think she’s been alive long enough. And to have her share the same stage as Cyndi Lauper and Sheryl Crow, who will be special guests at this year’s show, well it seems almost disrespectful.

This is definitely the youngest set of pop-stars VH1 has grabbed yet. Many only have two or three hit songs. Perhaps they should rename the show “Divas in the Making” or “Not a Girl, Not Yet a Diva.” VH1 is presenting us with greatness in the making, with host Paula Abdul picking up where they are lacking in divaliciousness.

I won’t disagree that these young girls are hugely talented, but I think their addition to the show is a bit premature. While the majority of them are American Idols, I don’t think they are ready to make the crossover to American Divas just yet.

So now I have to ask… Will the real Diva please stand up?

Mmmm. Irish Coffee should fix this right up!

It’s no secret that much of the college social life revolves around drinking. We drink to celebrate, mourn, express loyalty to our football teams, to ease boredom, hell,  some people drink to make homework a little more interesting (no, no one else does that?).  Well, all that super fun drinking  sometimes results in not-so-fun consequences: mysterious bruises, ruined shoes, hours’ worth of un-tagging on Facebook, that dude lying next to you, and the raging, horrific hangover trying to escape your brain by splitting it open.

What’s a girl to do? Your mind jumps to Gatorade (don’t have any), Egg McMuffins (dammit, it’s past 10:30!) and water (your Brita pitcher is full of hunch punch) before remembering that bottle of Bloody Mary mix in the back of the fridge. Should you suck it up, stir in some vodka and take a hair of the dog that bit you?

Nope.

The phrase itself refers to an old school Rabies cure (literally, they would place a hair of the dog that bit you in the wound), but has evolved into the idea that if you drink a small amount of whatever got you into this hung-over state, you’ll feel better. It didn’t work for rabies, and it won’t work for your hangover.

A hangover results because of the dehydrating effect alcohol has on your body. Remember what we learned about breaking the seal? Alcohol suppresses your brain’s ability to create anti-diuretic hormones, so you lose essential water, electrolytes, salts and glucose via bathroom breaks. The morning after, your body is frantically trying to replenish all that lost hydration, resulting in fatigue, headache, nausea, etc. These symptoms get worse as your body tries to rid all alcohol from its system, leading some to believe that all this hangover nonsense could be cured by simply drinking more.

Unfortunately, more alcohol will only postpone your hangover. It might temporarily relieve some of the symptoms of a hangover (and keep you in those beer goggles until the boy actually leaves), but when it wears off your body will still have to recover, only now it your liver has extra toxins to break down and remove. So in the end, your headache and nausea will probably be worsened by more alcohol, definitely not relieved.

The best cure for a hangover (besides, you know, not drinking in the first place) is to drink plenty of water to fight dehydration, some Gatorade or Powerade to replace electrolytes, lots of rest, and at least 4 hours worth of mind numbing TV, preferably Real Housewives or True Hollywood Stories, but whatever’s on VH1 will do in a pinch.

We got your back, Ryan Seacrest!

Meagan still wants a millionaire. And VH1 will oblige.

We’re lovin’ DKNY’s fall collection.

There are lots of songs about balls….

Is God going gender neutral in the Bible?

Cheap, amazing dorm room DIY.

Love It:

Why do we love any reality show? Not for the photo sessions; it’s obviously about the drama. The issues that come from 13 girls competing for the title of “prettiest” living together in a house is undeniable, and makes for many memorable moments. Remember when Shandi cheated on her boyfriend with the male model? Or when Joanie had her teeth pulled? How about Camille and her “signature walk” that was supposed to “make her famous?” And then there was Melrose always tried to give “advice” to everyone…

Bottom line: the “drama” in the show is funny! I’m sure it was a huge deal to Cycle 7′s Jaeda to get her hair cut short, but watching her melt down and cry because of it was hilarious for me!

If the contestants aren’t ridiculous enough, Tyra Banks is the creator and top-judge of the program. Don’t get me wrong, I love Tyra as a model and her talk show is a guilty pleasure on sick-days, but on ANTM she is just plain crazy. That being said, I will never get sick of  her wacky outfits and hairstyles, her bizarre criticism of the girls, her desire to be a photographer or her constant reminders to “smile with your eyes!” Plus she sings the show’s theme song! Girl does it all.

Finally, ANTM rocks because of one man: Nigel Barker. The multiracial “noted fashion photographer” and former model is so tasty. As if his face (and body!) weren’t enough, he also has that sexy British accent. Oh, and a wife. And two kids. But do you see any of them on the show? No. So for an hour each week we can dream.

Loathe It:

The show is getting boring. The same challenges are used yearly (we’ve seen the go-see challenge and ‘risque’ photo shoots practically every cycle) and it’s fairly easy to tell who’s going home on each episode because it’s generally the girl who gets the most interview time. Nothing is really unexpected at this point, the only thing that changes is what the girls fight about (granola bars?) and who wins.

I don’t know if this bothers anyone else, but I personally hate the constantly-changing real-model judge. First it was Janice Dickenson, then Twiggy, and now Paulina. Janice, even more than Tyra herself, was absolutely ridiculous, which made for some very hilarious and uncomfortable situations. Twiggy took some getting used to, but just as I was starting to warm up to her, Paulina had to step up! And homegirl is kiiiind of a beezy. Thank goodness Miss J (and Nigel!) are still on the panel, or the whole judging thing would be snooze worthy.

The biggest problem with the show however, is that the actual contestants seem to be getting more and more boring, in both their looks and actions. Where are the edgy girls? Or the girls of different races or culture? I don’t see them anymore! If that wasn’t bad enough, apparently when this cycle was filming, producers and camera people actually had to create drama for the girls to fight about so the show would be semi-interesting. It seems that competitive, tall, pretty girls just aren’t entertaining anymore. For this reason, the producers of the show have cooked up a great idea for the next season: allowing ONLY girls 5’7” and under to compete. Are short girls more evil memorable? We better hope that they are, or the next season will be even worse than the last two!

Final verdict? As long as Gossip Girl stays on Mondays, and Grey’s is on Thursdays, I’ll continue to devote an hour each Wednesday to Top Model (because what else would I do?). Otherwise I guess I’ll be seeing Tyra and the gang in syndication on VH1. Maybe.

Are any of you still watching ANTM, or are you over it? Let me know in the comments section!

Don’t get me wrong; I love Tough Love. Well, the show. I’m not quite sure I could handle someone pointing out my major flaws on national television (though I did attempt to audition for the next season…). Anyways, I think Steve Ward is great and knows his sh*t (and looks great in a pair of jeans) and really helped those women learn how to love themselves and be loved.

But don’t you think dating would be so much easier if we could all get some video feedback from the guys that we like? Wouldn’t it be magical if we didn’t have to spend hours decoding the emails/texts from the boys to figure out what they really mean? Maybe the fact that all those wonderful relationships blossomed in this fantasy land where the women knew exactly what their guys were thinking contributed to the fact that not one of them worked out in the real world…

But let’s take a step back and talk about the season finale!

There are only 6 girls left in boot camp and Steve decides to send them on overnight getaways. With boys. And they have to invite them. Most girls know who they are going to invite, but our drunk friend Natasha has no one to call. I thought for a moment that maybe she would luck out and get to take Steve on an overnight romantic getaway, but no – he set her up with someone else.

Taylor decided not to take the trip at all and to leave boot camp with a new love: herself. Awwww. Hopefully all that self love will translate into a new wardrobe that doesn’t consist of leopard dresses or turquoise bedazzled stilettos. What? I think I would love myself more if I wasn’t dressed like a tranny…

The rest of the girls take off on their adventures. All of the trips were super romantic, which left me feeling very uncomfortable watching. There were so many intimate moments that should be left to the lovebirds and the lovebirds only – like Abiola’s foot massage and Jessa’s hot tub experience – and I felt like a guy with a mustache and a white van peeping in through the window.

Or when Jody and Shane started making out on the strip and she basically ate his face. Awk.

When the girls finish their dream dates, they return to the mansion to say their goodbyes to Steve-o. He puts them all in the hot seat to talk about their experiences, but he did do a little grillin’ with Jacklyn and her love triangle. Now, I’ll never understand Jacklyn. I’ll never get why guys like such a moron, why she lines her eyes like that, or why she would ever (ever, ever, ever) choose anyone over Brock. Did you see that bangin’ body?

Steve tried to get her to choose the right guy and she made a pretty good case for herself that she would, but homegirl gets off the plane and takes the ring from her scrawny Southern ex. And loses Brock. She learned nothing from Steve and really was only obsessed with getting married – even to someone who said such hurtful things to her. I don’t know why she spent the entire dinner party last week explaining to her ex why he wasn’t right for her only to go back to him, but it doesn’t matter now. She made a crappy decision, and now Brock is out there for the taking.

Along with the rest of the Boot Camp Boys. Not one of those relationships panned out which means only one thing. No, not that Steve’s approach doesn’t work. It means that a trip to L.A. is in order.

I don’t really need Steve’s Tough Love; I just need all those leftovers.

I think last night might have been the best episode of Tough Love yet. In fact, I’m ready to say it might be some of the best TV I’ve seen since Bromance (but then again, I clearly have no standards). Watching that episode sent me on a roller coaster of emotion and since the shades on my window were open and the people across the street can see into my place, they would have seen this:

Me laughing.
Me staring at the screen in shock.
Me laughing really loud (this is probably when Taylor was talking; that bitch is funny).
Me eating snacks.
Me plucking my eyebrows during the commercials.
Me picking my jaw up off the floor.
Me screaming at the TV.

Steve’s idea to bring the girls’ past and present together into one seriously awkward dinner party was deliciously brilliant. Of course, I wouldn’t have wanted to be a part of that, but it was pretty awesome to watch. Especially a few select ladies:

Natasha: I always found this girl to be incredibly boring. She was what I like to refer to as “tofu,” because she has no flavor of her own and only picks up the flavors around her. Last night, though, I learned that the girl has some major flava…and she probably tastes like whiskey.

Natasha did what any shy, uncomfortable girl would do when she’s faced with her immature Indian ex boyfriend and a perfectly nice pretty boy in one place: she hit the bar. Hard. And then she not only embarrassed herself, but she called the guy a d-bag on national television. I felt for her – we’ve all dealt with awkward situations by getting completely sh*t-faced – but watching her left me feeling so uncomfortable. Sorta like watching Meet The Parents. Or a train-wreck.

Jacklyn: So her Texas ex and her California stud muffin are in the same place. And then Jodi gets involved and starts trying to “fix” things. Awkward? Yes. Do I feel bad? I’ll put it this way: No.

That girl gets to make out in a hot tub with the hottest guy ever and I get to sit home alone on Sunday nights with a bowl of granola and a cup of tea living vicariously through her. I feel bad for me. And I want a Brock of my very own.

Arian: There is so much to say about Arian last night that I really don’t know where to start. Birth would probably be a good place, considering the mother that she comes from. Now, I totally understand a mother siding with her daughter (even when she gets totally wrong information), but calling my boyfriend someone a tool as an adult woman is just despicable. And then laughing about your daughter being a total whore and explaining it as “she’s just like me, she just takes it one step further” totally explains that unstable, insecure and promiscuous daughter you’ve produced.

After watching Arian break down about getting in the hot seat and then throwing her suitcases down the stairs, I’m a little worried about Steve’s safety. Homeboy needs some serious protection (and I’d be happy to assist). But now she’s gone…and probably humping every guy in L.A., so Steve is free to give his attention to drunk Natasha, annoying Jessa, and the rest of the ladies of the house.

So much drama. So much amazingness.
And when did Taylor get so damn lovable? I think I might want her as my new BFF (no offense to my current BFF)!