We've been thinking about reality television a lot these past few weeks. It occurred to us that we should keep tabs on our Chicago folks slaving away in front of reality cameras non-stop to bring us endless hours of mind-numbingly tasty television. With that, Reality Check was born. America's Next Top Model This week on ANTM the girls learned to walk. Ms. Jay showed up in a very Ellie Driver–meets–Alice In Wonderland outfit that was... more ›

Clear your schedules for tomorrow evening, divas and ... divos ... America's Next Top Model continues. God, why do we love this show so much? Could it be the two Jays, the worst-coiffed menz (with a z) on television? There's Ms. Jay, a runway coach to the stars, second to none. And Mr. Jay, the brilliant art director of the various photo shoots that move the girls ever forward in their quest for the title.... more ›

LAist is experimenting with blogging dates from J-Date, but finds the best men are found offline. Some date vicariously online and that is one reason why porn is big -- really freaking big -- so they ask if they should cover XXX since the heart of it lays in the city's San Fernando Valley. A writer grapples with her food porn photography obsession, another gets censored on Flickr, one gets scooped by the LA... more ›

Back in May of 2003 we started watching one of the few reality shows that had us hooked from the first episode. Four years later we're still watching and have become borderline obsessive/compulsive about America's Next Top Model. It's not Tyra that's the draw for us. Nor is it Twiggy, the original waif. Not Nigel Barker who is "married", nor is it even really about the girls competing for the big win (well, maybe just... more ›

Well, what can we say about “American Idol”? Our Naperville girl Gina Glocksen is hanging in there, good for her. There’s way too much going on around her, she’ll be sticking around for a couple more weeks at least. We think she’s pretty. And a quick note about Sligh, we happened to have liked his rendition of "Endless Love". If the judges don't want potential idols messing with the songs, they should stop telling them... more ›

Chicagoist loves television. Chicagoist loves all television. There are no prejudices here; we watch an episode of "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" with the same reverence as we watch "24." We’re rooting for Rob and Ambah as much as we’re rooting for Chris Sligh. We’re looking forward to "America’s Next Top Model" as much as we’re looking forward to answers on "Lost." more ›

We all have our guilty pleasures. Here at Chicagoist, our guilty pleasures range from "America’s Next Top Model" (starts tonight! Set your TiVos), to Suzy Q’s, to dressing up like K-Fed and singing “Hit Me Baby One More Time” with a fake baby at our teat. But if you want us to get specific and tell you about our literary guilty pleasures, then let us introduce you to the amazingly fun reads of Phillipa Gregory. more ›

Do you come from a family of assholes? Then the Sun-Times is here for you! In a story that we cannot believe escaped the grasp of the Trib's WomanNews, the Sun-Times takes on…gung gung gung…what to do when your family asks you why you aren't married. more ›

Chicagoist is so excited that the holiday windows are up at Marshall Fields on State, but we’re really surprised that this year, after stellar past years of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter, the Grinch that Stole Christmas and the like, that our friends from the Baton Show Lounge are out in force, only in miniature, with heads of papier-maché. more ›

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages kicks off its conference in the Windy City tomorrow (registration begins today), and over 5,000 language educators and professionals will be descending on our city to make us all say "vosotros" and sing the days of the week. Lunes, martes... more ›

As far as drinking nights go, Wednesdays are kind of underappreciated. They have so much potential (read: you want to drink on Wednesday, no?) and yet so few bar deals or regular events. No worries. Chicagoist and Gothamist have teamed up to bring you the answer to your sadly-sober prayers: the America's Next Top Model Drinking Game. Please, drink responsibly. Also, add your own rule in the comments if you like. Finally, while tradition and respect for the show would dictate mandatory barfing following the consumption of any calories, consider this game an exemption. more ›

but maybe with less throw-up. At the end of the season, the winner gets a million-dollar prize. more ›