Former Vice President Dan Quayle recently turned down the opportunity to be a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." It might be his biggest blunder since trying his hand as a spelling teacher. At one point, reality shows were seen as way stations for celebrities who had outlasted their expiration date, offering one last chance to wave and smile into the camera before disappearing forever. But something strange happened to a lot of those stars headed to obscurity: They got the Big Bounce.
Sure, a lot of reality stars end up looking like laughingstocks, as we watch them stumble through bad dates, trod through cow manure and discover the ingredients in Chicken of the Sea, but they're laughing all the way to the bank with the genre giving them more attention -- and creative control -- than they've ever had in their careers.
That's why Margaret Cho, a well-respected standup, agreed to "The Cho Show," debuting on VH1 tonight, a reality series that she hopes will provide the kind of career boost that her 1995 network sitcom couldn't provide. If she succeeds, she'll be in great company.
For some other reality-show alum who graduated at the top of their class, see E10.
Ozzy Osbourne Before reality: Black Sabbath lead singer beloved by die-hard metalheads, but known to the mainstream as the guy who snacks on bats' heads.
After reality: "The Osbournes" (2002-05) made him MTV's biggest star and the most endearing senior citizen since Grandpa Walton. Fox has signed him and his family to headline a variety show next year.
Kathy Griffin Before reality: Spitball comic best known for playing second banana to Brooke Shields on "Suddenly Susan" and insulting every celebrity not named Brooke Shields.
After reality: Winning the 2003 edition of "Celebrity Mole" prompted her to launch Bravo's "Life on the D List" (2005- ), a title that no longer applies since she regularly sells out theaters (including four Minneapolis shows in early October), took home a 2007 Emmy and briefly dated Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
