So, last night's episode of 'Big Brother 11' was filled with the usual petty arguments, inane conversations about spider anatomy and endless strategizing ... when all of a sudden Jeremy Piven stopped by.Yes, that Jeremy Piven. The three-time Emmy winner from 'Entourage' randomly showed up at the 'BB' house and cracked jokes with the houseguests. Was Piven just in the neighborhood? Of course not. He delivered some, ah, interesting news: The luxury challenge reward would be a screening of his new movie, 'The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard.'
Groan. Really, Piven ... really?
Reality TV shows have always been shameless about product placement (e.g. those Ford commercials on 'American Idol,' the entire existence of 'Dancing With the Stars'). It isn't so bad when the placements are more integrated, like the Tresemme hair salon on 'Project Runway' or the wall of Glad products on 'Top Chef.' But the worst plugs have to be the ones for movies. To wit:
• 'Big Brother' has pioneered the world of movie plugs on reality shows. In season 2, the contestants competed to watch a screening of 'American Pie 2' ; just a few weeks ago on season 11, it was the 'Ugly Truth.'
• On last week's 'So You Think You Can Dance' finale, the top 4 were treated to a screening of the new 'Fame' remake. Granted, former 'SYTYCD' contestant Kherington Payne stars in that movie, so at least there's some connection.
• 'The Next Food Network Star,' which really exists to pimp its own network, rolled out a challenge for the July 26 episode to promote 'Julie & Julia.' The top 3 contestants watched the movie, then created three-course meals for the culinary elite.
• 'American Idol,' besides pimping out Ford and Coca-Cola, has "treated" contestants to movie premieres, like 'Horton Hears a Who.' But the most egregious example -- perhaps in movie plug history -- was when 'Idol' forced David Cook and David Archuleta to do a "comedy" bit with Mike Myers to promote 'The Love Guru.' We're still shuddering.
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