You were probably wondering how I liked the first installment of Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris. I didn't…and I really (emphasis mine) don't see how they thought this show — hidden camera pranks, stunts and games — warranted the label "variety."
But then I didn't understand a lot of things…like why a live show had a disclaimer at the end that said, "Portions of this program not affecting the outcome of the competition have been edited/recreated."
And I don't understand how they did the Karaoke Game bit where three people watching at home joined in by singing in their own homes, caught on hidden cameras as they were watching the show with friends, plus they were holding microphones. I'm guessing for each of the people, the show arranged with someone to arrange a viewing party and to set up a webcam and catch an unsuspecting friend who'd been steered to the proper chair…or something.
And I don't understand why a live telecast had such a cut-and-pasted feel to much of it.
But hey, it's not my kind of show. There are a lot of very successful programs around that fall into that category.