As expected, the BuddyTV Fan Popularity Rankings are in a state of flux as we transition from summer into fall. Hit reality shows Age of Love and Hell’s Kitchen have cooled off out of the top 10, and So You Think You Can Dance, perched at number one or two all summer long, loses momentum now that the competition is over. Other shows prove to have staying power, and one huge surprise rockets onto the FPR that could be the next big thing when it finally premieres its second season in October. But more on that later.
America’s Next Top Model claims the number one spot, and for once, it’s high showing is explainable by the fact that the America’s Next Top Model cycle 9 cast was announced last week. Armed with photographs and mini-bios, the Top Model fanatics can now spend the next month speculating who will be their favorites and who will be cut.
Rock of Love stays strong at number two. Bret Michaels made the cut from the Sexy Six to the Fab Five, and with the competition nearing a close, the ladies are letting the fur fly. Despite the surge of America’s Next Top Model, it will be interesting to see if the diehard Rock of Love fans can get it to number one before Bret chooses his lady love.
Big Brother is camped out at the three spot, staking its claim on the BuddyTV FPR. Seven houseguests are left in the Big Brother house, but will the eviction of highly controversial Jen result in the show losing steam? So lock as Dick Donato sticks around, I doubt it.
So You Think You Can Dance places at number four, a respectable showing given that it ended more than a week ago. Still, fans are fascinated by what happens next to these young dancers, and this week BuddyTV will have exclusive interviews with the three runners-up, Neil Haskell, Danny Tidwell and Lacey Schwimmer.
The big shocker on this week’s FPR is the VH1 show I Love New York at number five. Out of nowhere, the fans have already begun foaming at the mouth in anticipation of season 2, debuting in October, when New York will get a chance to find the man of her dreams all over again. Given the massive summer success of Rock of Love, will its supporters transfer to the new VH1 dating show come fall?
The Disney Channel keeps is strong showing, with High School Musical at six and Hannah Montana at eight. The aftermath of the epic premiere of High School Musical 2 proves just as valuable, as tweens across the nation how have an even more severe case of Zac Efron Fever, and the only prescription is more HSM. Miley Cyrus‘ dual assault on television and music continues to keep her just as popular as ever.
Finally returning at seven is Dancing with the Stars. Without American Idol to contend with, Dancing with the Stars will foxtrot over its fall reality competition. Last week rumors started flying about who the 12 celebrity contestants would be. Earlier today, the Dancing with the Stars season 5 cast list leaked, two days before ABC makes the official announcement Wednesday morning.
At ninth is America’s Got Talent. Much like Hell’s Kitchen last week, this reality competition aired its finale, and the fans came to BuddyTV to debate the merits of winner ventriloquist Terry Fator. Is throwing your voice while sticking your hand up a piece of felt a talent? If you ask me, Boy Shakira should have won, because having that little shame takes tons of talent in my book.
Rounding out the FPR top 10 is Grey’s Anatomy. The durable fan favorite medical drama always has fans buzzing, even during the off-season. Should Meredith and Derek be together? Was Gizzie a bad idea, or simply misunderstood? Now that Isaiah Washington is off the show, will Cristina hook up with Alex?
It’s going to be an exciting few weeks for the FPR, so tune back next week. Will So You Think You Can Dance stick around? Will more shows returning in the fall make the list? What will be the first new fall series to make it onto the FPR?
-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
