Posted 9/27/10 1:57 pm ET by Kevin Manno in The Seven, Top TV Shows
On February 16th, I got the following email: "I'm looking for a host for MTV's new daytime show, and I wanted to see if you'd be interested in putting yourself on tape for it?"
"OF COURSE!" I responded, without hesitation. And that night, in exchange for a couple beers, my friend Adam filmed my audition.
Originally, I was almost certain that nothing would come of it. I assumed that they were developing 100 shows and looking at 1,000 people for each. It wasn’t until my first in-person audition in April that I realized this thing could be real. Being flown from Chicago to New York courtesy of MTV was probably the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. There was even a guy holding a “Manno, Kevin” sign by baggage claim! I took a photo of him carrying my stuff.
The next few months brought a few more trips and a few more guys with signs. I took pictures of them, too.
On August 12th, I got the most important phone call of my life. Goodbye CHI, hello NYC!
Today, September 27th, is the day "The Seven" premieres. I have literally thought about nothing else for the past 223 days, and it’s finally here. It’s unbelievable in the truest sense of the word. This year has been one big blur and I’m ready to dive into this thing. Wish me luck, and remember to tune in today at 5/4c. If I'm not a big enough draw, Drake and Justin Timberlake just might be...
Posted 9/27/10 12:41 pm ET by Rebecca Brown in Jersey Shore, Top TV Shows
Sometimes it seems like there's nothing "The Situation" can do to ruin his chances at hooking up with a DTF...unless, of course, she has a boyfriend and remembers whilst lying in his bed, fully dressed in his pajamas. But there's one particular person in the "Jersey Shore" house who's been inadvertently preventing him from getting his smush on. Her name is Snooki.
Check out this bonus clip from last week's episode, where one of Mike's ladies of the night calls, but Snooki answers the phone and says he's busy having sex with someone, which of course is a lie. The guy's not even home!
Posted 9/27/10 11:37 am ET by Rebecca Brown in The Hills, Top TV Shows

Black is one of those colors that will never go out of style (just look at Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo, who've been wearing a ton of it lately), and a few weeks ago, former "Hills" star Lo Bosworth put her own twist on the popular shade. At the Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama event in Los Angeles, she sported a classic LBD and paired it with a blazer and an unpredictable pair of shoes--brown booties. The color combo may have been surprising, but we think Lo made it work.
+ How do you feel about Lo's head-to-toe style? Sound off in the comments!
Photos: Getty/Frederick M. Brown
Posted 9/24/10 4:03 pm ET by Rebecca Brown in Jersey Shore, Top TV Shows
Vinny might be the house stud, but there's one fella in the "Jersey Shore" pad we can't take our eyes off of--Pauly D. He's blossomed into quite the spicy meatball this season (dude's literally been dispensing catchy one-liners on cue!). And we're not the only ones who feel this way...
Earlier today, RadarOnline.com reported some gossip that Pauly D is getting his own spin-off show. "They have already chosen a name and of course it will be DJ-related," the site's source revealed.
Unfortch, we don't have any insider-y info to confirm or deny the gossip, but we can say this: There are tons of #TeamDJPaulyD fans who would love to see it happen...and we're one of 'em.
Posted 9/24/10 3:56 pm ET by Lisa Chudnofsky in 10 on Top, The Hills, Top TV Shows
Audrina Patridge has been going a mile a minute ever since "Dancing with the Stars" got on its way. Between extensive hours of practice and the show's back-to-back live recordings, she barely has any time to catch her beauty z's (whatevs, she looks hot even when she's working up a sweat). Yet when MTV's "10 on Top" stopped by rehearsals this week, the former "Hills" star showed no signs of exhaustion, only ambition. Check out this video clip of 'Drina and her partner Tony Dovolani pushing the limits before their second week of competition, plus tune in to "10 on Top" tomorrow at 11:30/10:30c to see more of her bootay-shaking!
Posted 9/24/10 2:13 pm ET by Rebecca Brown in Teen Mom, Top TV Shows
Farrah's reluctantly been trying to get in touch with Sophia's father's family in order to claim survivor benefits for Sophia, but as we saw in this week's episode of "Teen Mom," Sophia's aunt, Kassy, was impossible to reach. She agreed to take a DNA test, but for some reason never showed up.
Check out this emotional sneak peek of next week's episode, where Farrah finally connects with Kassy, who, up until this point, has never met Sophia. And guess what? Sophia has a cousin about her age! Hopefully this will be a turning point for both families.
Posted 9/24/10 1:30 pm ET by Lisa Chudnofsky in The Hills, Top TV Shows
When she walked off into the sunset a stretch limo on Episode 510 of "The Hills," we truly thought that was the last we'd see of Lauren Conrad on reality TV. She practically grew up with cameras in her face, and she'd been publicly yearning for an "ordinary" life long before her filmed exit.
Well, guess all LC really needed was a time-out, cuz the "Laguna Beach" native confirmed today in an interview with Ryan Seacrest and MTV News that she'll soon be back on the network that gave birth to her past two shows! Lauren's new reality series will focus on her professional life as a fashion designer trying to build her company from the ground up. More official info from MTV to come next week...
Welcome back, LC! Let's face it: You just weren't meant to be "ordinary."
+ How do you feel about Lauren's MTV comeback? Sound off in the comments, plus check out this video package of her most memorable moments on "The Hills"!
Posted 9/24/10 12:36 pm ET by Rebecca Brown in Jersey Shore, Top TV Shows

While most of us watched Snooki defend herself against the swarm of grundle chodes on last night's episode of "Jersey Shore," the Angelina-dissing castie slipped on a Cookie Monster costume and paid the Jimmy Kimmel show a visit. (My how this cutie's changed her look since Season 1!) And what were the rest of her roomies up to? Pauly D tried to apologize to Usher on behalf of Snooks (apparently, she was embarrassingly starstruck), and Sammi addressed some rumors that she had plastic surgery done.
Elsewhere, a few MTV casties were concerned about their health-- booty-shaker Audrina Patridge was trying to avoid a cold, and Whitney Port got really car sick (those New York City cabs will getcha, Whit!).
Check out their tweets below:
Posted 9/24/10 12:23 pm ET by Lisa Chudnofsky in The Buried Life, Top TV Shows, World Of Jenks
"Either the kids are getting stupider every year, or something is wrong in the education system."
That's a quote from an education reformer in the new film, "Waiting For Superman," which audaciously takes on the state of public education in America. It's a tough look inside our school system, and the consequences that can result from its limitations.
We think "Waiting For Superman" is a must-see for everyone, whether you're currently a student bounding forward into an unknown future, or a parent who simply wants the best for their child. Two of our show cast members are also on board with educating people about the power of good schooling, which is why we asked them to write a blog post describing a teacher who made a lasting impression on them. Below, read what Andrew Jenks ("World of Jenks") and Jonnie Penn ("The Buried Life") had to say about their most memorable teacher, then sound off in the comments about a mentor who you found inspiring!
***
My formal education was good, but not great. I was often taught through the memorization of factoids, anecdotes or equations in order to ace or pass a test. But after years of constant regurgitation, who knew that one negative word would change my outlook on the world?
During my sophomore year at NYU (which ended up being my last), I took a class taught by Professor Aviva Slesin called "The Art of Documentary." For a school that offered minimal courses on the genre, she shouldered a large responsibility in introducing a documentary-oriented curriculum. I mean, who thinks documentaries are sexy? Not me.
In each class, we would watch a documentary and then follow it with an in-depth discussion. As the year progressed, I picked up on a theme that Professor Slesin always preached. In explaining how to get our work seen and heard, she ingrained in my head to accept, embrace and be galvanized by a single word: "No." She taught us that while the word may have an inherently negative connotation, it can be spun into a powerful motivator. And that for filmmakers, "no" is often the best starting point.
"No only means you have to work that much harder," Professor Slesin would say. Thanks to her, when I tried to move into a nursing home to produce my first documentary, "Room 335," I didn’t become discouraged by the nearly 30 assisted living facilities that said they would NEVER grant me access to film at their facility, much less move in and become a resident at the age of 19. Then, when I prepared to direct my second documentary, "The Zen Of Bobby V," for eight months in Japan, I knew that all of the networks that said "no" would only drive me more to scramble, search and find a place that would say "yes."
Professor Slesin said the word "no" with a smile, sometimes even flaying her hands. She would passionately tell us that for those who take "no" seriously, life will be difficult. For those that use "no" as a head start, life can be whatever they wish.
--Andrew Jenks
Mr. Savage was the toughest grading teacher at GNS High School in Victoria, BC--quite fittingly, given his name. His physics class was a thing of legend for new students. Many A+ students entered; few left. He had white hair and the presence of an old Scottish brigadier general. When necessary--like when you didn't properly follow an assignment or when you asked a question that had already been answered in class--he would ream you out in front of everyone.
Mr. Savage asked the most of our class, and more often than not, he got it. He was the Ferris Bueller of teachers. Whether you knew him or not, you had to respect him. Granted, he was a little less fun than Ferris, but you still had to like him for sticking to his ideals. He held the bar high, and if you wanted to get over it, you had to work.
--Jonnie Penn
Posted 9/24/10 12:00 pm ET by Rebecca Brown in Top TV Shows
"World Of Jenks"
Full Episode: Jenks spends a week on the streets of San Francisco with Danielle.
Bonus Clip: The filmmaker learns how to hitchhike and recycle bottles for cash.
Sneak Peek: Andrew travels to the Midwest to live with a professional MMA fighter named Anthony. Watch it:
"Fantasy Factory"
Full Episode: Rob and Drama test their masculinity and head out for a Hawaiian adventure.
Bonus Clip: You can't go to the islands without hosting your own luau. Right?
Sneak Peek: The Factory's having a senior citizen moment. Check it out:
"Teen Mom"
Full Episode: Farrah tries to claim survivor benefits for her daughter and Maci takes off for Nashville.
Bonus Clip: Farrah can't get a hold of Sophia's aunt, Kassy, who she needs to take a DNA test.
Sneak Peek: Farrah and Kassy reunite! Watch it:
"If You Really Knew Me"
Full Episode: Challenge Day heads to Columbia High and encourages the mean girls to rethink their behavior.
Sneak Peek: Next up is Granite Falls High School. Check it out:
"Real World: New Orleans"
Reunion Special: Knight and Jemmye reveal that they're living together, but not before he offends her on stage. Watch the entire special:
"Jersey Shore"
Full Episode: Angelina's bad hygiene continues to piss off all of her roommates and Snooki has trouble finding a decent guy in Miami.
Bonus Video: Snooki intercepts a phone call for Mike and tells the DTF that he's with another girl (which is a lie!).
Sneak Peek: Mike has dibs on the Smash Room. Tonight he's taking home Samantha ... he thinks. Watch it:
Posted 1/27/12
Posted 1/26/12
Posted 1/26/12
Posted 1/25/12
Posted 1/24/12
Posted 1/20/12