Designed and built according to Bravo's standard blueprint for reality programming, "Shear Genius" TV show pits hairstylists against one another in cut-throat competition for reputation and glamorous prizes. In its first season, "Shear Genius" series steadily gained loyal viewers by word-of-mouth, and the original coterie of just over one million fans has made the program just popular and just profitable enough that Bravo programmers have stayed with it. For the first two seasons, "Charlie's Angels" mega-star Jacklyn Smith came out of retirement to host "Shear Genius"; in the third season Brazilian super-model Camila Alves took over hosting and refereeing the competitions. Like the top chefs and the aspiring fashion designers, the hair stylists on "Shear Genius" compete against the clock, arbitrary constraints, and one another, submitting their work for celebrity judges' approval. In some of the most intense challenges, the shear wizards work on mannequins' hair; in some of the eliminations, they work on aspiring models' locks. Winning styles are displayed on the Wall of Fame at Allure magazine, and the best stylist is celebrated with the signature expression, "Your work is shear genius!"

Remember PBS? They bring you "Sesame Street" and "Antiques Roadshow," and they are the guys who allegedly have no commercials. Remember them? Struggling to keep its tenuous hold on the margins of viewers' consciousness, holding at least a place discernible with peripheral vision, PBS now adds some spice for foodies. Starring on "Made in Spain," real chef of DC Jose Andres "brings the exciting flavors of his native Spain to the American audience with easy and informative recipes created in his Washington, DC, kitchen using products found here in the U.S." According to the PBS website, each episode presents an easy-to-follow recipe for a great Spanish dish, which would-be Spaniards can whip up in their own heartland kitchens. In addition to whetting your appetite for something spicy and savory, "Made in Spain" may trigger episodes of wanderlust, because it shows "treasured Spanish locations," where each episode's dishes originated. For a nation still convinced Taco Bell serves "authentic" Mexican food, "Made in Spain" may seem just a little too piquant for the palette, but Jose Andres himself may become one of America's favorite ethnic dishes.

Aired in over eighty countries, and boasting well over 11 million American viewers, "The Dog Whisperer" proves that people love their dogs and Cesar Milan. Each week, self-taught professional dog trainer Cesar Milan shows how dog owners can and must become "pack leaders" for their dogs. He emphasizes exercise, discipline, and affection, and he stresses that the majority of canine misbehavior originates in owners' failure to assert their leadership with their dogs. The disclaimers insist that "The Dog Whisperer" documents only how Milan rehabilitates problem dogs and is not intended as instruction in how to train a pet. Despite the caution, legions of viewers attest to the power and wisdom of Milan's techniques. All three of Milan's books have become New York Times best-sellers with worldwide sales totaling more than two million copies.

American reality shows seldom satisfy as much as the fabulous dishes produced on this program! That is they would if we could get our hands on them and actually taste them like the judges do. Contestants have challenges in each episode that test their culinary talents specifically in the art of making desserts. Gail Simmons is the host and judges include Johnny Luzzini, Hubert Keller, and Dannielle Kyrillos with two challenges per episode. One challenging test is called a Quickfire followed by the Elimination Challenge. Quickfire being as the title implies, a quick test of the contestant's fundamental and basic skills in the kitchen. Elimination round is difficult and each chef must show how adaptable and creative they can be with a list of needs and use of specific ingredients. As with many other reality style shows, one contestant is eliminated at the end of each week, until there are only two remaining and the heat is not only in the kitchen but almost comes through the screen to us, the viewing audience. The loser is announced during the "Judges Table" at the end of each episode. Challenging these "experts in their own field" is a fun way to find out who can take the pressure and stand the heat until the finale at the end of the season. The winner receives $100,000 and the prestigious title of Top Chef in the world of Pastry Desserts.

Kitchen Nightmares TV show is an American reality television series on the Fox network, in which Chef Gordon Ramsay spends a week with a failing restaurant in an attempt to revive the business. Gordon Ramsay, famed chef and star of HELL'S KITCHEN, is taking off his apron and stepping out of his own kitchen to rescue restaurant owners in crisis. You haven't seen a nightmare quite like this one: In this sizzling new unscripted series, Chef Ramsay hits the road, exposing restaurants that are barely staying afloat. Whether it's due to lazy chefs, temperamental wait staff or unsanitary kitchens, the owners of these restaurants are losing business; and their minds. Each week, Chef Ramsay will try to turn one uninviting, deserted eatery into the hippest, most sought-after venue in town.

The competition is hot as"¦ well as a hotplate! And as each new season commences we see more contestants vying for the coveted role of The Next Food Network Star. It truly can be a life altering prize that has "made" stars of the likes of Guy Fieri, Aaron McCargo, Jr., Adam Gertler, and Melissa d'Arabian among others. The Food Network competition is stiff and aspiring chefs from all over the US apply for the opportunity to compete for a show of their own on the popular network. Probably the biggest success story is found in Guy Fieri who has so much personality that he cannot be denied. He even hosts a game show on the NBC network now called Minute To Win It along with his popular Diner's, Drive-in's, and Dives plus Guy's Big Bite (both on the Food Network). Appearing as a contestant on Next Food Network Star is a golden opportunity for an aspiring chef who has a standout personality and those who enter are a widely diverse group that may consist of food bloggers, sous chefs, dietitians, personal or executive chefs, and even the occasional attorney who have dreamt of one day being a famous chef.