Thursday, Dec. 18, 2003

The Joe Schmo Show

An average guy is chosen to compete on Lap of Luxury, a reality show that, unbeknownst to him, is fake and populated with actors. It was a cruel joke — but not on "star" Matt Kennedy Gould, who proved to be a charismatic mensch (and won $100,000 for his troubles). The laugh was on the clichs of the reality-show genre (the smarmy host, the typecast contestants, the cheesy elimination ceremony) parodied by this sharp, funny — and genuinely touching — spoof. (Spike TV)