Michael Irvin's Reality Show Just Might Work

We all know the headline about Michael Irvin’s new reality show.  One man will be the 80th man on the Dallas Cowboys roster.

I hear the jokes. I hear the critics.

But in the world of reality television anything is possible. This move actually is very clever for the  Dallas Cowboys. In a week where the football world is supposed to be talking Steelers and Cardinals, we have a story about the Cowboys.

But what does this mean for the other 11 members of the cast who aren’t on the Cowboys mini camp squad? Do they have a chance catching on with some other team? Could this show mean something for teams other than the Cowboys?

Let’s take a look at reality show successes shall we?

WWE Tough Enough/Diva Search

If you don’t believe Wrestling is a sport, I accept your opinion. But look for a bit at what these shows were trying to accomplish. It was guaranteeing a contestant a roster spot.  

The Diva Search has produced 10 current members of the WWE’s roster and two of TNA’s. Plus Hugh Hefner has banked off the Diva search as three contests have graced the pages of Playboy (not counting Carmen DeCasare who was in Playboy previously).

WWE’s Tough Enough boasts five current WWE roster members and 2 on TNA’s roster. The most notable of these is Mike Mizanin, who was supposed to be a reality joke on a reality show. ‘The Miz’ was first seen on MTV’s real world and was perceived by many to be someone who had wild dreams about being a wrestler.

But now he’s making bank for himself and the WWE as one of their most successful heels.

American Idol

The most successful reality contest in history is by far American Idol. American Idol gives unknowns a chance to be stars. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson…the list is A list in the music industry.

The list of awards are many….42 Billboard Music Awards,15 American Music Awards, 5 Grammys, 1 Academy Award, and many many others. You may not have heard of any of the above names if not for American Idol.

Others shows like Top Chef, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance?… Unknowns from these shows are now making money doing what they never thought they’d have the chance to do.

Am I saying Michael Irvin’s show is going to create the Carrie Underwood of the NFL? No, not at all. But before you write it off as a joke, think about the possibility that maybe….just maybe…..it might work.