Much More Skin Wars Is On The Way -- And Very Soon!

Ok, so if you've been paying close attention to GSN's social media, this might not exactly be a surprise, but if you haven't you are in for a treat. In the slyest way possible (you'll see what I mean in just a moment), GSN has announced that beloved reality competition show (and this guy's personal favorite friend-making machine -- no really they are all so FREAKING nice!), Skin Wars is on it's way back to your televisions. It's happening soon, we just don't exactly know the specifics.

You see that picture up there? It was on the official Facebook page for Skin Wars for all of a day before being replaced with a photo of Ru, Rebecca, Robin, and Craig that simply says "New Season Coming 2016" which is far more vague than "Coming in January". While I'm pretty sure they have already finished filming, it has only been a few short months, so things could still be up in the air. The reason I am pretty sure the filming is done with by now is that the photo has been around for some weeks, and of the couple of people in the photo I recognized (the most memorable being Brittney Pelloquin, the girl with the red hair two to the right of Rebecca) are already active on Facebook again.

Of course in the world of television many things can go wrong or take longer than expected, editing being a huge part of it. If they plan to do two seasons a year like their fellow reality TV juggernauts Face Off and America's Next Top Model (which sadly just got canceled), they are going to have to get the groove down and find a way to constantly make great television, which is far easier said than done. I hope that the January date is the "real" date, because I have been longing to see this show again. As I mentioned earlier the contestants on this show are incredibly nice, and many of them are people I would call friends now.

On the other side of things, I also recently came across another fun tidbit of information on Facebook. Spinoff show Skin Wars Fresh Paint was picked up for a full season a few months back following it's tester "pilot" episode, and now filming has officially wrapped. It looks like the show will be pressed right up against the main series's third season either following it immediately or serving as an appetizer for the main course to come.

Judge Michael Levitt made the following announcement on his personal Facebook page last week:
It's a wrap on FRESH PAINT (our spin off of SKIN WARS). So proud of the entire cast and crew. We made an amazing series and I'm excited for everyone to see it in 2016."

GSN reportedly ordered eight episodes of Skin Wars Fresh Paint for the 2016 season. It's unclear if these will all be new or if the previously aired pilot episode will be included. Judges Michael Levitt and Emma Cammack are both set to return along with host RuPaul. No solid word has come in yet if the "third judge" will continue to be the losing coach, or if they will pursue guest judges as the main show does.

Steampunk'd Reportedly Canceled By GSN

Sigh. I can't exactly say I didn't expect this, but the longer it was put off the more hopeful I got. It looks like all that wishful thinking was in vain because according to reliable (although unofficial) blog, Game Show Network News, the show is over and done with, getting no second season.

It's with a heavy heart that I post about this news. I reviewed every episode and got some incredibly p positive feedback from not only the fans, but the contestants and some of the judges as well. It was such a fun romp through the amazing world of steampunk, and it really turned a lot of people onto this once hidden subculture. I met a lot of cool people both from the show and simply from the culture thanks to Steampunk'd and I can't believe it was canceled.

From the looks of it, the ratings really plummeted after three weeks. Being right on the heels of Skin Wars, the crown jewel of GSN, it faired well it's first two weeks, but there were so many complaints about the layout of the show that people gave up quickly. I also feel like the elimination order (IE purposely keeping on Miss Morgan so there would be more drama) had a lot to do with the decline in the ratings. They simply forgot their target audience, which were the steampunk makers themselves, and instead tried to mold it into the current format of reality television competition. 

I sincerely believe that had they gotten a second season there would have been major revisions to the format, but it looks like GSN wasn't ready to take that leap of faith. I hope that this doesn't discourage the network from green lighting other reality competitions. Skin Wars has done inexplicably well using the same format and is just as niche a topic as steampunk is. 

I would like to thank everyone who spoke with me and help me promote my reviews. Special thanks to Ave, Tayliss, Eddie, Karianne, Charles, Tobias, James, and Thomas, all of who liked, reposted, and commented on my reviews and Facebook postings. You were all very instrumental in my understanding and enjoyment of this show, and the growing culture that accompanies it. You are all stars in my eyes, and one season or ten, you were there from the beginning, and opened up so many people's eyes to what steampunk truly is. And for that, I thank you.

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 8 FINALE [Review]

Well guys, it's been a fun ride, but it's almost over. We have been following these ten talented makers from day one, and now we get to find out who is going to win the 100,000 dollar prize. I have my favorites, and I have my not-so-favorites, but no matter who wins, let's all hope this show gets another season. It was a fun ride, and I want to do it all over again next year. Now without further ado, my finale review.

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 7 [Review]

Oh, GSN. My love-hate relationship with you continues on and on. Due to technical difficulties on my part, I didn't have my copy of the episode to review earlier this week. That didn't matter, though, because the second the episode finished airing, GSN's official Facebook posted a photo of the final three. Thanks, I guess, for ruining who went home for me. I'll try not to be a Bitter Betty the whole review, though.

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 6 [Review]

Before we get started I have to say something. I have been getting a lot of flack (and I mean a lot) due to my reviews having spoilers in them, but not having a spoiler warning. Well, I don't really know how to do a review without spoilers. Even if I only focused on the art of the show, it would still be a "spoiler" because it revealed something you wouldn't know without watching first. News flash, my friends. All reviews have spoilers. Some just more than others. Like this one. So if you don't want to know that -CENSORED- went home, then maybe this isn't the review for you.

Wait. My spoiler was censored? Well just check it out under the cut. And under the rest of the episode's review.

GSN Gives Skin Wars Spin Off "Fresh Paint" Full Season Run

I've done it. I have predicted the future not once but twice this year. First was with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and now with Skin Wars: Fresh Paint. It looks like GSN isn't messing around with their original programming. They've found their reality TV niche and they are ready to exploit the hell out of it. Good for them!

It looks like the August episode was a pilot after all. After all this hype making it a "one time thing" it was a pilot episode all along, and apparently it did well because RuPaul is coming back with the same formula to help brand new artists find a new passion in the rapidly growing world of body paint. And yes, Ru has been confirmed. The only other person confirmed for returning is Emma Cammack, while Mat Gleason is listed, I haven't seen a formal announcement or confirmation from him. There also is speculation as to whether we will get the same mentors every episode (as in Natalie, Dutch, and Gear) or if they will rotate out each episode.

Skin Wars: Fresh Paint is a episodic reality TV program much like RuPaul's Drag U or Cutthroat Kitchen wherein there is a winner chosen with each episode. In this particular program, six novice body painters, each from a different spectrum of the art world, get a crash course in body painting and see what they are really capable of. In the end, only three make it to the finals where they are taken under the wing of one of three Skin Wars veterans from the main show. Each episode one winner is crowned and gets 10,000 dollars.

The show is hosted by RuPaul, and Emma Cammack is set to be a judge. At this time it hasn't been confirmed with Mat Gleason will return (though most sites say he is), or if they will keep the format of the "losing" mentor becoming the third judge. It has been confirmed to be eight episodes and is expected to immediately follow or precede Skin Wars season three.

Here's hope to seeing my faves Shannon, Nicole, Cheryl Ann (the drama!), Avi, Sammie, and Aryn coming back as mentors!

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 5 [Review]

Dear GSN: Please stop having mid-season breaks in your shows. It's hard enough having to wait a week between episodes, but when you have a week with no new episode, it just is unbearable. Sincerely, Everyone.

But seriously, the wait for this episode was grueling. We are down to the wire with things now, and (almost) no matter who goes home at this point, it's going to be an upset. Never before have I loved a reality TV cast this much, and I hope that they all go on to have major success post-show. But for now, we must find out who did well, and who fell short this week.

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 4 [Review]

If there is one reality show you watch this season, let it be this one. For a first season, it really knows what it's trying to do, and with this episode in particular, it captures that. It has the drama, of course, but here we finally get to see them actually making stuff, as well as a much broader peek into the lives of these people. If you aren't caring about them by now, I don't think you ever will. Here's to another great episode and sad departure of an incredibly talented steampunk maker!

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 3 [Review]

The magical world of Steampunk is often unforgiving. Each and every person in this show is incredibly interesting and talented, deserving to be there. Unfortunately it's a competition and every week one must go home. Each episode is hard to watch, and even harder to capture in words, but I'll do my best for all of you, much as I've done this week. I hope you all like it and enjoy.

Skin Wars: Fresh Paint Series Pilot [Review]

I was so excited for this show to come out. With a concept similar to Chopped or RuPaul's Drag U, we are getting six contestants, with one winner at the end. Unfortunately this is a one shot -- for now, but surely they will pick the show up and do more. So everybody tune in, and watch all the repeats so we can make sure we have even more body painting in our households!

Steampunk'd Season 1 Episode 2 [Review]

It's that time again! I'm super excited to have yet another episode of Steampunk'd ready to review. Last week we got introduced to everyone, and the buzz is that things only get crazier. I have such a great feeling about this show, and it's contestants are all talented and fun. Let's dive right into episode two, shall we?

[Note: I would love to take screen caps of the final rooms, like I did with Skin Wars, but due to the limitations that GSN puts forth (IE no iTunes release), I have to rely on their previews online, which do not feature them.]

Interview: Get To Know Cheryl Ann From Skin Wars

Well the crazy ride that is Skin Wars season two has finally come to an end, but the craziness isn't over just yet. A lot of the contestants were itching for more, especially this season's "villain" Cheryl Ann. Well I was luck enough to get to know her and find out she's not as hard as she came off on screen. She's actually pretty nice. Check out my fun chat with her and get to know exactly who Cheryl Ann is as a person.You'll be glad you did.

Photograph by Kevin Lynch

Steampunk'd Episode 1 Season 1 [Review]

It's finally here! I have been so excited for this show for some time now, and given that the roller coaster that is Skin Wars has finally ended, I'm ready for an all new adventure. I know this will be a short season (much like Skin Wars season one) due to the small cast, but I'm in love with the concept, and I am definitely hoping for the best. Let's get this awesome ride known as Steampunk'd started!

Skin Wars Season 2 Episode 10 [Finale Review]

Oh. My. God. I can't contain my excitement. Although I am beyond sad to see that most of my favorites have been sent packing, I still feel that each of our top three deserve to be here. This is it. There's not anything after this. The winner is going to be announced and suddenly I am incredibly happy that this isn't RuPaul's Drag Race so we don't have to wait two more weeks to know the winner.

 

 

Skin Wars Season 2 Episode 9 [Review]

It's getting so close! We've already said goodbye to a ton of great talent here on the show so far, and we are about to have to say goodbye again. We only have four contestants left, and each of them is hungrier than ever for that one hundred thousand dollars (and I think there are other prizes, too, or something). A week from today we will know our Skin Wars champion, but for now, let's find out who is going to fall short of the final three.

GSN Is Bringing Even More Skin Wars With New Spinoff

Skin Wars season two is almost over. With only two episodes (well, maybe three if they do another reunion special -- no word on that yet), we are certainly coming to the end of this year's colorful reality TV favorite. Thankfully the good folks at GSN have realized they're sitting on a gold mine, and are giving us even more, and sooner than you think.

Coming at you August 26 (the Wednesday following the finale, possibly airing after the reunion), is the first ever Skin Wars spinoff. We are getting a show called Skin Wars: Fresh Paint wherein our favorites from season one mentor new artists and teach them the various skills that they will need for skin painting boot camp. The returning champs are the ever memorable Dutch, my boy Gear, and season one winner Natalie. They are going to make sure that contestants Adelaide, Bridget, Ryno, Nora, Steven, and Max know the ins and outs of body painting.

Also returning to this spinoff is the lovable RuPaul, who is dedicated to being on your TV screens as much as humanly possible. Get him back his old talk show and we'll see him more that Steve Harvey. Unfortunately the rest of the judges are mysteriously missing, leaving us with two fresh faces to the show Emma Cammack and Matt Gleason.

The show will be a one shot (for now, I'm assuming. It looks like this is a pilot), and at the end, the three mentors will pick their favorites from the remaining three and help them towards the finish line of 10 thousand dollars. This show really feels like it's in the vein of RuPaul's Drag U, and I really feel like if the special does as well as I think it will, we will certainly will be getting a full season of this. And hopefully like on Drag U, they will rotate out mentors so we can see others like Nicole, Shannon, Avi, Cheryl, and Aryn. The smaller cash prize means that they can do a full season for well under the budget for the full show, and I'm sure the ratings would be great given that each episode is self contained.

Bottom line: I love this idea.

Be sure to tune in Wednesday, August 26 to check out this show and Steampunk'd so that both shows get renewed and we have a friggen awesome 2016!

Skin Wars Season 2 Episode 8 [Review]

It's that time of the week again! And to think I'd almost forgotten. Well I'm glad I didn't because this episode is probably one of the best of the whole season -- and not just because of the drama. It's time to get all pumped up with some sexy dudes, some paint, and some robot themes. Don't ask me how that works. Let's just get started.

Site News: Two New Series Reviews Coming This Month

As Skin Wars comes to a close, I've been looking for another TV series to do weekly reviews for. When I looked at upcoming shows, I fell in love with two. So instead of choosing just one, I decided to do both. That means that on both Wednesdays and Thursdays you'll be getting reviews of two of the hottest new shows. That's right. They're both season ones. And they are both amazing looking.

First up: Work Out New York

Premiering Tuesday August 18 is Work Out New York. It's a spin off of Bravo's long gone Work Out series that took place in California. This time they are focusing on professional personal trainers in New York and the drama that happens between their incredibly buff set of friends. The mega teaser looks amazing. I can see myself being in love with this show from the first episode, and that's why I'll be reviewing it. If you don't like it then obviously you are on the wrong site because I firmly believe my readers all love hot buff shirtless dudes. Plus it will keep us held over until Bravo decides to finally let us see the new season of Vanderpunp Rules.

And our second show is -- Steampunk'd

Steampunk'd is the sister show to Skin Wars, as shown when Skin Wars had a steampunk challenge with the sole purpose of introducing the show. I have been interested in this show ever since the small 15 second teasers started popping up on GSN. This could be the most original reality competition I've ever seen and even though I don't know a whole lot about Steampunk, I will be reviewing this one, too.

It's going to be a busy rest of the summer. I suspect that both shows will be relatively short, but with two shows happening at the same time, I'll definitely have my hands full. But alas, I love reality TV, and this year I made a commitment to bring you more. We've had three shows so far, and even more coming. Get ready!

Skin Wars Season 2 Episode 7 [Review]

Is it that time of the week again? Man, how time moves so fast. I am now incredibly nervous each week because now we are down to just a few contestants, all of which was incredibly talented. I don't want to see anybody go home, but somebody has to win, and with the season coming to a close very soon, it will be interesting to see who fails and who succeeds. This week will push everyone to their limits and once again, we will have to say goodbye to someone we've gotten to know and love.

Skin Wars Season 2 Episode 6 [Review]

It's that time again! The season has really picked up and we down to the best of the best already! It looks like there have been a few sleeper hits, and a few people who didn't live up to their hype. Anything can happen in reality television, and given the show's history of shocking eliminations and even more shocking winners, I'm sure we're all in for a surprise every week.