The idea of a "sports reality show" seems redundant - after all, aren't sports the original reality TV? However, it's clear that being in the spotlight on game day isn't enough for many athletes. Going well beyond the anticipated antics of "
T.Ocho," jocks are hitting the airwaves with concepts ranging from
finding their next girlfriend to
uncovering new ways to fling themselves into the air. So, we thought we'd showcase some upcoming sports reality shows that may justify sitting on the couch for hours once football season ends.
Being Terry Kennedy : Born-to-ride pro skateboarder
Terry Kennedy is (finally) getting his own reality show. If you've ever seen
the old Baker Skateboards footage of TK, you know that his personality and practical jokes have always been on par with his effortless, yet aggressive, skating style. Kennedy is known not only for his lack of fear on a board, but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, so it makes sense that the show, on
BET, debuts alongside his clothing line and the opening of the
Watts skate park that he helped make happen. Unlike most sports reality shows, with Being Terry Kennedy, there's neither a game show feel nor a search for "true love." Instead, TK lets his charismatic personality, hard skating, and in-your-face energy carry the show.
Jump City :
Parkour, also known as "free running," conjures a wide spectrum of associations among those familiar with the sport. From the exhilarating
opening scene of Casino Royale to
Michael and Dwight's antics on The Office, what started as a subcultural trend at the turn of the 21st century in the suburbs of Paris has since been appropriated as a dramatic device. In the latest incarnation of Parkour going Hollywood, Parkour pros from around the world congregated in Seattle to shoot the first ever official Parkour reality show, for
G4. From what we've seen of the sport, it sometimes feels like a bunch of dudes with too much martial arts training who never outgrew playing Spider-Man. (Either that or they're taking this whole
zombie survival thing way too seriously.) Regardless, it should be fun to watch wannabe Ninjas
backflip down a flight of stairs.
