A prime-time reality show, dog-focused
By Mike Hughes
Gannett News Service
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So far, reality shows may have tested every vital skill.
We've seen people sing, dance, act, fight and cook. We've seen them design clothes and hair and rooms. We've seen them model clothes, eat bugs, lose weight, merely survive.
Is there anything left? Definitely. Until now, most of this has been confined to humans.
Welcome to CBS' new "Greatest American Dog," with challenges for dogs and their people. "It becomes more driven, intense and funny than you can imagine," insisted R.J. Cutler, the producer.
Like many people, his relationship with dogs is at a distance. He fondly recalls a cocker spaniel from his boyhood.
Jarod Miller, the show's host, recalls his golden retriever. "He was as wiry as I was. That dog was crazy."
For Miller, that dog was part of the crowd. There were always animals around him. "When I was 3 or 4 years out, I was able to stand there and deer would feed out of my hand," he said. "What I wanted to do was have a zoo."
At 25, he ran the Binghamton Zoo in New York. He didn't have time for that, though; now he's too busy with projects like "Greatest American Dog," which assembles a dozen dogs and their owners.
The people vary sharply. There's a doctor, a bartender, a construction manager, a fashion designer and more. Their dogs vary in:
This clicked with him instantly, he said. "CBS had the idea to do a reality show with dogs. I thought it was an awesome idea."
Many of his shows have been far more serious. They've included "The War Room," "American High," "Black, White" and the current "30 Days." Now comes a detour.
For Miller, however, "Greatest American Dog" fits neatly.
He grew up in western New York State, including Boston, N.Y. (Yes, the name creates confusion during baseball season.) Mostly, he studied animals. "I lived in the library and I lived in the woods."
Most animal shows are in fringe time, but "Greatest American Dog" borrows the "Survivor" slot. "We're on one of the best time slots, on one of the best networks," Miller said.
On "Survivor," the animals don't have a chance. Now they get the spotlight. "People just love dogs," Miller said; "This is going to be a big success."
