Can Reality TV Ever Really Rock?

Lina Lecaro

Reality's realest rockin couple (from Cali): Millionaire Matchmaker's Rachel Federoff and Destin Pfaff at Svedka party.

This past weekend, LA played host to the "Reality Rocks Expo," a two-day celebration of "reality, unscripted, factual, and lifestyle" television at the LA Convention Center. We contemplated going, but decided to pass on the probing, deep discussion of Big Brother and Pitbulls & Parolees panels and music performances from a procession of American Idol rejects. Okay, reality is an easy target. But c'mon, if you live in LA it's particularly difficult not to be disgusted by the machine that spews out this never-ending procession of pseudo dramatic, self-important drivel. More than any other medium, reality shows have perpetuated clichés about our city and the people who live here, hence, manifesting them (forget about acting- now, more hopefuls than ever move to LA with the dream of living fabulously phony "real" lives in front of cameras ala The Kardashians and Real Housewives). Still, some have been more real than others (usually music-themed).

Read on for our report from Svedka Vodka's "Night of A Billion Reality Stars" kick-off party and Nightranger's personal faves list of Top 10 Most Rockin' Reality Shows.

Lina Lecaro

Solange has long been rumored to getting a reality show...if her family will sign off.

At Svedka's bash, (also celebrating Funny or Die's new reality spoof), everybody seemed to be in on the famous-for-being-famous joke, at least. The brand new, yet-to-open club venue Lexington Social House (formerly Forbidden City) was cluttered with cardboard cutouts of Kim Kardashian, Kate Gosling and Holly Madison (a statement on their personalities?) and partiers seemed to have a quite a blast posing and dancing with 'em. DJ Solange Knowles provided the sounds and Joan Rivers even took to the DJ booth at one point. Watch out Pauly D!

Paper or plastic?

It was a fete full of faces we couldn't quite place and apparently every one there seemed to be having the same problem. Even for a Hollywood club this was a stare-fest. Which season of The Bachelor was she on? Hey look, it's that guy from the Real World Las Vegas, or was that New York? No, we are NOT the redhead from The Bad Girls Club. And so on...

Inspired by the party (more pics in this week's Nightranger slideshow) and in honor of Reality Expo Weekend, here's "Nightranger's Top 10 Most Rockin' Reality TV Shows," a list with some expected choices, some surprises and long-gone faves they should really bring back. Until somebody decides to do a show about intrepid (cough-cough) music/nightlife reporters, these top the slop. Did we miss any? What are yours?