Survivor's IQ drops, my stock rises

First things first: Jeff Probst really needs to ease up on his personal commentary. We get it - you are the face of the show; however, don't talk to people like they've never seen the show and let them make their own mistakes. It's much more fun to watch without Probst yelling at the newbies' lack of game play. If this continues I may be joining Christy Smith's viewing parties for the hearing impaired - it'd be a nice break.

This season I've joined a fantasy league, something I've always wanted to do but no one has ever created one. Thanks Amy for setting this up because I think I'm already winning! Before announcing my picks, my criteria was guessing who would have the best longevity and screen time. Two of the three people were in my top 5, so I lucked out that my opinion differs from others:

J'Tia, 31, Nuclear Engineer, "Brain"

Brice, 27, Social Worker, "Beauty"

Tony, 39, Police Officer, "Brawn"

Boy did I luck out? My first instincts of J'Tia was she would be level-headed and on-the-ball, but that went right out the window when she demanded the shelter to be built a specific way. I think the label of "brains" went straight to her and all Luzon's heads, which was evident in the first challenge. 

SIDE NOTE: the labels of brain, brawn and beauty are bound to go to someone's head. Especially if that person believes that's the most valuable thing in their arsenal. In my humble opinion as Facebook Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains champion, book smarts are useless on Survivor unless you're Yau-Man Chan and can apply them to opening up boxes. Knowing I was a villain after playing FB Survivor a few times, I couldn't let that run my game and think I was able to play slightly more honourable than in previous games (even if I did vote out my own brother).

Thank you, J'Tia, for delivering three memorable moments in the first two hours of Survivor: Cagayan. My prediction for her is not to win, but to grow from her blunders like Holly Hoffman did in Nicaragua (i.e. filling Dan's shoes with sand and throwing them into the ocean). She may also become NaOnka and succumb to the pressure of the game, quitting abruptly mid-season.

Enough about my dream girl. Brice - you've already stepped up as the confident gay man who can control the girls. Your "wing man" status is still to be seen, because I think the hormones radiating from Jeremiah and Morgan will dictate their alliance. If the beauties ban together to vote out Jefra first, Brice will control the tribe. This could be a major Chapera or Tandang situation where they control the events of the game and take the win. I think the beauties have the best shot of winning the whole bag of rice, so long as no one dumps out early (don't get the reference? Watch the show!)

Tony, you big, bruiting buffoon. To say you're devious like Russell Hantz (I still hate him) and slick like Boston Rob (I still love him and Amber), you need to do more than find the idol. Get people on your side or you'll be gone. Cliff's basketball history makes him polarizing, so people will gravitate to him (knowing about science, does that make me a brain?). Russell and Rob were able to become the polarizing people without being the target, so Tony needs to make himself be known just as that. If so, he'll be in for a longer haul.

After the first episode my favourite person is Tasha. She outwardly spoke about her want to strategize and play the game, and I love those players who want to be sneaky. Out of my three picks, Brice has the best shot of making it to the finals, "wing man" status pending. I hope he does - I need the points.

OMG Premiere Week!

Today is the first day after two major events: no more Sochi Olympics and the Amazing Race All-Stars 2 premiered. My excitement for both events couldn't be contained.

IT'S REALITY TV PREMIERE WEEK!

Amazing Race All-Stars 2 looked like a disappointing cast. I know the casting producers are looking for who will draw in viewers, so when you say "all-star" keep in mind that long-time viewers are looking for people who play an outstanding game. Perhaps that's the TV snob in me but Joey & Meghan are not All-Stars!  This seems like more of a second chance but don't mask Jessica & John's major blunder as an "all-star" move.

Survivor:Cayagan - all I pray for is more than half of the cast is entertaining. As a full-time Survivor addict,  I want to see the cast list grow by 16, 18 or 20 every season. Of the 422 available castaways to choose from, fans everywhere can create lists of returning castaways for an returnee season.

As for these guys and gals, I'm lost as to who I am cheering for. I wanted to stick to one brain, one brawn and one beauty, but I'm rooting for the beauties. Maybe it's the model inside me, but I think they'll fly under the radar enough but still stay present. My heart is with Jefra though - I wish her best of luck. She could pull a Jordan (Big Brother 11/13) and sneak into the finals. There seems to be so many big personalities it would be advantageous to settle into the background before striking.

Big Brother Canada 2 - The house was revealed this evening and it looks AMAZING! I wasn't a huge fan of the inaugural season but can get on board with giving it a second try. Check out the photos here (learning how to write on my new phone so can't get the photos yet). Waiting patiently to see the cast, just to make sure no one from my high school made it on the show before me. That's why I really enjoy the American shows better - less chance of knowing someone on the show.

More to come. Stay tuned.

Life = Reality TV, Premieres & Finales = Chocolate

Thank you Forest Gump for giving us one of everyone's favourite lines in cinematic history - because "life" has many connotations (like sports is life to athletes, reality TV is life to me) you can swap out life for so many words or phrases. Let's play with that and say "Reality TV is like a box of chocolate. You never know what you're gonna get." Tonight CBS opens up a Pot Of Gold for the world to share, and I'm calling the creamy caramels!

The previews for Survivor: Philippines have focused 100% on the three returning castaways: Michael Skupin (Australian Outback), Jonathan Penner (Cook Islands and Micronesia), and Russell Swan (Samoa). They're back because they never got to finish due to injuries, and it's time for some of their own redemption. Returning castaways are becoming the new coconut chocolates - good in concept but leave them too long in the box and people are trying to get a bite of one so they can spit it out. I love returnees as much as any Survivor fan, but with rumours that season 26 is another fans versus favourites I want to see some new characters emerge. 

Big Brother 14 ends tonight and it's down to Dan, Danielle and Ian. Fans are speculating over who will get the win. Jokersupdates.com posts its survey of who will win the game, how the jury will vote, and who we want to see get the grand (and America's Choice) prize. I am hoping beyond hope that Ian, my juicy white chocolate treat, gets the $500Gs with Dan coming second - any three I am happy to see win, but Ian has been my treat of the season! Dan is the cherry chocolate that, along with coconut, has gotten bitter the longer it sits in the box.

Who knows? Like a box of Pot of Gold chocolates, we may be surprised by an all caramel premiere or finale. But there is always a few nuts along the way, because what is reality TV if not surprisingly delicious.

It's Finally Happening - Big Brother in Canada

So this post is like two months late. Sue me. I have been racking my brain trying to figure out the best strategy, putting a fool-proof plan to fruition so I can be crowned the winner of Big Brother Canada! It was announced in May that Endemol has given the green light for a Canadian version of the internationally successful Big Brother franchise. And it's aboot time!


Did you know that at one point Canadians were really the only ones watching any reality television? Survivor  and Big Brother ratings were through the roof for a few years in Canada, while the U.S. audiences were getting bored of these shows for enlisting competitors rather than casting them. Let that be a lesson to Robyn Kass, the casting director for Big Brother Canada. Sure it is fun to see people who were once famous for something no one really remembers (spoiler alert: Blair from Facts of Life is on Survivor: Philippines this fall!), but what's more entertaining that an average Joe or Jill thinking they can make it through a puddle of pudding to win the veto? 


Those who know me know I am definitely applying. Not only am I applying, but I am going to win the game! Watching all major American reality television shows has taught me how to identify any strategy that comes my way, and playing Phil's Facebook Survivor, I know where I mess up and go wrong. Now is the time to prove I am a major competitor. I know I have the fans but now I need the producers to see that I will win.


Off to work on my audition tape. For more info on the show, you can visit www.bigbrothercanada.ca to learn about the casting process, audition deadlines and casting call locations. I'll see you on the airwaves!

Almost Falling Off the Wagon

Hello Blog Guests,

I have been extremely delinquent with my blog postings, thinking it was OK to ignore my true passions in life and try new things. As Homer Simpson once said, "Trying if the first steps towards failure." I failed epically at trying something new. Since my last blog post I attempted to write about job searching, cooking and life after school. Well now that I found a job and have lost most of my post-secondary habits, I can tell you that my cooking skills are improving greatly but nothing has changed in my obsession with reality television! I am still a junkie and addicted to it. I'm addicted so much I have to know what happens on The Glass House, and that show is a blatant knock-off of Big Brother, and no one comes between me and my 'man'! But I can't help but watch (and vote and cheer for Erika and Jeffrey).

Since the announcement in May that Big Brother Canada is actually happening, I have been focusing all my spare time into strategizing to get into the house! It would accomplish a dream I thought was insurmountable but is now possible, so on February 13, 2013 watch for me to enter the Big Brother Canada house. I would like to suppress my knowledge of reality television shows but I will get too excited and want to show how much of a superfan I am, so the next six months are dedicated to getting in shape for the show and learning to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut (thanks BB3 Danielle for those inspirational words).

There's too much to catch up on and I should do some work today. Always expect the unexpected Blog Guests.

Season's come and go, so do old favourites.

I have been waiting to blog about Big Brother for weeks, waiting to see how the show progressed. This season's big twist were the houseguests competing in duos and the return of favourite pairs. "Double Trouble" is continuing to be a battle between "The Veterans" and "The Newbies", and was, thankfully, much more exciting than last summer's season with Enzo a.k.a. "The Meow-Meow". I am rooting for the Vets, especially Jordan.

With the end of Big Brother we start to see the beginning of the new Fall shows and return of old favourites. Survivor will be back with Redemption Island and two old favourites, Ozzy Lusth and Coach Wade. I find that to be an odd combination as neither played together before, and they played very different from each other: "Ozzy is a tough competitor and, arguably, the best performer in challenges; Coach likes to think he's the best competitor" says Jeff Probst. That is a fair account.

Some old favourites from Survivor are competing on The Amazing Race: Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca, winners of Survivor: Africa and Survivor: Amazon. I can only hope we have a nicer but still tough Rob and Amber duo on our hands as the two race to win, but mainly I'm happy to see that Ethan is doing better after battling cancer. This makes the fourth team to have people from another reality show competing: Alison, and Jeff and Jordan from Big Brother; Rob and Amber from Survivor.

America's Next Top Model is finally catching up with the other reality television shows with an all-stars version. All-stars versions are a great way to catch up with old favourites, but could all these returning players be a sign that the major networks are trying to get old audiences to come back by featuring some of the most popular players?

As one of reality televisions most loyal and dedicated fans, I want CBS, NBC, ABC (I only saw a few episodes of Bachelor Pad, and was not impressed, but did catch up on what made Melissa crazy) and CW to keep casting new people and focus on the new strategies, rather than see Russell Hantz try to win for another time.

I'll be sure to blog more now that the new shows are out, but does anyone have any suggestions on what shows to watch this fall?

Who Do You Think You Are?

I've decided to change some stuff about this blog.

Yes, this one here.

As it was originally started as a classroom assignment, I want to change it up here at It's Real to Me with this first of hopefully many consistent posts. I put reality television on hold to revisit an old friend Sex and the City. The show provides me with topics, situations and life choices to think about when I'm sitting and waiting for my next shift at RW. Carrie's inner monologues become my inner monologues, wondering about the commonality between a popular phrase or situation to my life. She always wonders, always asks a question for her weekly column, wondering about who she is and not just her sex life. So here's what I wonder right now: who do you think you are?

Who Do You Think You Are? is a hit NBC reality TV series that explores the ancestry of celebrities, all of who try to discover a secret from their past. Sarah Jessica Parker was the first celebrity to venture her own path into her predecessors in North America. The journey took her all the way back to the Salem Witch Trials of the 1600s. When she hit the end of her journey, she discovered her the link to Esther Dutch Elwell, who was accused but never tried of being a witch. There could have been acting, but I think this was shocking to Ms. Parker (and ironic that she played a witch in Hocus Pocus).

Watching that show always gets me wondering who I really am. Where do I come from? Who are my ancestors? Were there any major events my families were a part of? I know I come from a mixture of German, Scottish and Irish backgrounds, but there is so many closer roots to other European, American, and possibly other ancestries, that it is hard to know where exactly I come from. Research had to be done to ensure the producers of the show were getting celebrities with a semi-interesting to completely fascinating histories in order to make the show watchable.

I will investigate who I am, where my family is from, and what major events have impacted the direction in which my ancestors have taken. Maybe Ancestory.com will help me with my journey, but I know that writing this blog I am leaving a bit of history for my ancestors to know me by. Hi, future family members!

Finales

What May has to offer in terms of reality television are the accumulating events that us watchers have been waiting for since the start of 2011-- Finales. The past two weeks have been filled with finales of my favourite shows, and I've been both pleased and disappointed in the results.

*****SPOILER ALERT*****

If you have not seen the Survivor, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Celebrity Apprentice or Dancing with the Stars finales, don't read!

Survivor: Redemption Island-- With the last four Murlonio, or Omepete standing, it was time to bring RI to an end. Matt, Mike, Grant and Andrea squared off in a final duel that would land one of them back in the game. I was surprised when Andrea outlasted the three men to gain a spot back in the game, but the twist of RI provided pointless as Andrea was just voted out after she got back (like her buddy Matt). The final three turned out to be Phillip, Natalie and Rob. For me it was a clear choice and I'm glad it was for the jury as well, Rob Mariano finally won a season of Survivor and we will hopefully not have to see him again (although I really enjoy him).

Amazing Race-- the show aired differently with four teams racing instead of the tradition three for a finale. Zev and Justin were out fourth in Brazil after falling behind during a road block where Zev had to perform in a street parade, and then switching detours at the last minute. The race to the finish line in Florida proved hard for Gary and Mallory as they struggled once again with a bad cab drive (this is how they landed a spot on this season, having had trouble in Omen with a cab driver the year before). It was a close race between the Globetrotters, and Jen and Kiesha, but I was glad to see the sisters make it to the finish line first. This makes them the second all-girl team to win the Amazing Race.

Biggest Loser-- first I must say every looked amazing when I watched the show last night. Glad to see they took the advice seriously and we didn't see too many people gain more weight back. I was pleased to see Jay be eliminated and Irene make it to the three, but it came down to the sisters, Olivia and Hannah. What a great place for sibling rivalry, on a scale to see who lost the most weight. I can just hear them say "no you're fatter" back and forth, but they both lost well over 100 pounds. Congrats to Olivia the opera singer for winning in the end! Dear Biggest Loser producers, give the white team another chance--that was a rip-off move for bringing them back just to send them away.

Celebrity Apprentice-- this was a disappointment for me. Trump, you need to write down who YOU want to win before the show starts so that you're not swayed to appease the audiences. Marlee Matlin lost to John Rich after running a successful event and advertising campaign, and John Rich, who is a musician, announced Def Leppard 15 minutes too early and had many other mistakes. I don't like how swayed this "captain of industry" can be. This finale, as well as the other Apprentice finales, are my least favourite to watch because Trump is an idiot.

Dancing with the Stars-- again, another disappointment but overall I think Kirstie won in life. Hines and Kym won the Mirror Ball Trophy after it came down to them versus Kirstie and Maks. I think Kirstie made the biggest transformation physically and emotionally, but the audience loved Hines. As my wonderful partner has pointed out, Maks is one of several pros who have not won the Mirror Ball Trophy but consistently makes it to the end. That man deserves more than a trophy though.

I will not be watching American Idol but good luck to the final two, Lauren and Scotty. Like Linda, my money's on Scotty to win. I say that because then Lauren will have the successful career.

With every finale there's always the promise to more premieres. So You Think You Can Dance, Big Brother 13, and many other shows will be coming this summer. I'll be sure to keep up with them, and keep you up too.

Making it your own

I realize I haven't posted in 3 weeks now but I have a good excuse: I was on vacation. And what a vacation it was! It was a seven-day Caribbean cruise, visiting Cozumel, Belize, Honduras and Grand Cayman. The week away has caused me to think long and hard about my life as now I am no longer a student.

But before I get too deep into that I want to share my most recent encounter with reality TV, but it wasn't on-screen: The Amazing Cozumel Race. It's an Amazing Race-style race around Cozumel, solving clues and performing tasks to make it to the finish line. As the only team from the Carnival Legend boat, Team Canadudes, Phil and I had to represent, which meant I had to run. For those who don't know, I don't normally run. We ran from the starting point, at the post office, to the flag pole, solved clues in the Cozumel Historic Museum, ran to get a henna tattoo, snorkled in the Caribbean sea to find a sunken ship, solved another clue leading us back to the square, then mini-golf, a quick trip to a shop, then the finish line. It took us one hour and nine minutes to run three-and-a-half miles. Because of our hard work we tied for second and received a silver medal. Beat that my brothers who get all the sports awards!

What I loved about this is the organizers took the concept of the Amazing Race and made it their own, which is basically a scavenger hunt but encapsulates the whole city of Cozumel. They don't step on the toes of CBS and the producers of the Amazing Race, but I think using the name of one of the most popular reality television shows today and it continues to gain followers each year. Participating in this excursion has inspired Phil and I to start thinking about an Amazing Niagara Race or the Great Niagara Falls Adventure. Either way, taking the popularity of a television show and making it your own is a great way to combine two passions: reality television and interactive entertainment.

I'm Not Ignoring American Idol

As the title suggests I am not ignoring American Idol--I just have nothing to say about the show.

I have been professing that I watch all reality television shows when that is not entirely true. My credibility may be shot, but I hate watching singing shows like American Idol. I watched the first couple seasons to see what the fuss was all about but after seeing the "idols" perform, I knew I did not idolize anyone from the show. Simon, Randy and Paula, at their peak, were hilarious and insightful; after a few years, Simon and Paula became bitter and it was not fun to watch. I will sit next to a railway track to see the trainwreck.

The success of the Idol contestants is not extremely high for a show that gets the top ratings in the United States. Besides the few that have succeed to tell their story, there are hundreds of others who are as talented that fall off the stage. Besides the regular 15 minutes each gets in the spotlight, what's the success in saying you were an American Idol contestant? Just as much success as saying you were a Canadian Idol contestant, I guess.

Right now the drama surrounding the shocking eliminations shows just how the voting system works for the show, which ruins the show. If the judges were smart, they would not have saved Casey Abrams and waited for Pia Toscano to be in danger. Look at Sanjaya Malakar: he outlasted many others to the disappointment of the judges and Seacrest, but it was America's decision.

It goes back to my bias against letting the fans vote, but talent competitions are different from adventure series. Rewarding the true victor should lead to their futher success, but if they are going to fade fast then it's the fault of the judges for selecting a dud.

Canada needs more reality TV

When I was 10 I wanted to be on the Canadian show "Uh-Oh", which (for those who don't remember) was a children's game show in which contestants spun a wheel, answered questions, played fun games, and got slime poured on them--how cool is that?!

When I was 13 I wanted to be on Survivor; at 14 I wanted to be on Big Brother; at 16 I wanted to be on The Amazing Race--do you see a pattern here? With the growth of reality television shows I want to be part of the phenomena as a contestant. It was not my 15 minutes or a guest spot on The King of Queens that pulled me into the trend, but it was the games themselves that have always intrigued me.

When I was 19 I wanted to learn to dance to be on So You Think You Can Dance or learn to cook and become a great chef to be on Top Chef. Now that these shows are offered in Canada, my talents are not honed in enough to be able to compete, but that's alright by me. I still want the chance to prove myself on one of the above shows but the producers of those shows own North American rights to the adventure shows, but only produce American content. In my eyes that's not fair, and somewhat discriminatory. Since Survivor's start in 2000 Canada has been watching carefully as the contestants outwit, outplay and outlast each other for the 13 week program, and the show always ranks in the top 10 each week. Last year's edition of Heroes vs. Villains saw the show ranking higher than the first round of the NHL playoffs-- doesn't that say something?

When Wipeout Canada was auditioning for its northern edition, I immediately applied and searched for fun things that could get me on the show. Sadly I did not make it but am excited to be watching the series, besides how tacky it is with the product placement and over-theatrics of the contestants. Top Chef Canada premieres tonight and I'll be watching the series, after each food so I don't get too hungry. But if these shows are making it to Canada it's time Mark Burnett gets off his high horse, stops picking contestants that no one likes (Fiji is all I'll say) and get some Canadians on there. Why not a Canada vs. United States battle? It'll show true patriotism on both teams and get great ratings between the two countries.

All-Stars = Celebrity

For many reality television shows my favourite seasons are usually the "all-star" versions. Past contestants come back to compete once again for the chance to be the "sole survivor," "first-place team" or "final houseguest." In all forms of competition reality television, from outdoor adventure to cooking, there are all-star seasons, if there have been enough regular seasons to collect an all-star cast. A lot of people I have talked to ask why Survivor hasn't ever had a celebrity version of itself (the U.S. version hasn't, but many other countries have had a celebrity Survivor). I think the use of celebrities is a desperate attempt to regain the audiences once have.

Survivor hasn't had a celebrity version, but has had two "all-stars" and three seasons with returning castaways. Aren't these seasons celebrity versions of Survivor? Bringing back past contestants who garner a lot of media and public attention, like Rupert, Russell, Jerri and James, will draw in the money that CBS and Mark Burnett need to make the game stay alive. But are we not celebrating those who have played before by showcasing them once again? Just like in Celebrity Apprentice, Celebrity Mole, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here we are celebrating the characters we love from the previous seasons of the past Survivors. In the ten years of the show, the all-star seasons have gained the most media attention, in comparison to the first season. Season 20, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, ranks in the top five seasons of the hit series because there was a clear division of true human spirit: you either cheered for a hero or a villain. But, in all reality, you're cheering for your favourite Survivor celebrity.

The Soup...So Meaty

For those who aren't already, you should be watching The Soup, hosted by Community's Joel McHale. I was first introduced to this television show a couple years ago, as my partner loves "Spaghetti Cat," and I love the insight into the reality television shows that are currently airing. McHale offers a hysterical perspective on the show.

His most recent segments on Gold Rush Alaska (GRA) have made me laugh harder than I have in a long time. The terminology on GRA is closely linked to things one may hear at a gay bar: glory holes. This term is why McHale has named the segment "Gay Shows: Alaska Edition", not to be confused with "Gay Shows" which mostly features RuPaul's Drag Race. As someone who doesn't get all the American RTV shows, it's a great way to catch up on what's happening in the world. As a gay man, it doesn't offend me in the least bit; these shows are pure comedy in my opinion.

With the recent legal action between Cara and Gibson Reynolds, and McHale and the Soup, it's hard to say how the show will be affected. Radio programs, like 102.1 the Edge constanly are under scruitany for their "defamatory remarks," but I say people should not take these remarks so seriously. The job of the host is to entertain, and in this case, inform on a hot topic that is in the news. If it's in the news, it's fair game. The couple was interviewed after losing their first born child, who only lived one day, and was told they could not use embryo screening to make a dwarf baby. In 2007 they were questioned for their ethical choices of this practice.

If you're going to be in the public eye for something that poses controversy, then you need to be ready for the backlash you will receive. I'm sure the Reynoldses received positive support, but McHale and others are using what the public give them. I'm sure the contestants on RuPaul's Drag Race and the men of Gold Rush Alaska are not going to be suing The Soup anytime soon--it's publicity for them.

Google The Soup or Cara and Gibson Reynolds to find more stories. Watch The Soup Friday's at 10 p.m. on E!

Placing the blame

Besides Survivor, my favourite reality competition show is The Amazing Race (TAR). For me it's a true test that is based on luck and skill, and should be done without the dependence on others, except your teammate. Unlike other reality shows where you have to "trust" others to help you in this game, competitors on TAR should only depend on themselves to get further in the game.

Since the first season of TAR the reason for losing the race has been because of a blunder caused by the cab driver, the locals or wrong directions. My favourite reason for losing the race is when someone blames their teammate. This past Sunday didn't have Jaime or Cara, the NFL cheerleaders, placing the blame on each other but just bad luck. In the previous season they competed in, season 14, they lost because of a poor cab driver in Hawaii, ending in second place overall.

At the end of each leg, everyone who does poorly tries to find an excuse as to why it was not them who hurt their chances of winning or staying in the "front of the pack." But I wonder this: isn't it your fault as you are part of the same team. The best couple for who wronged whom was back in season one, Lenny and Karyn, who fought with each other so much that Karyn dumped Lenny on the finish mat when they were eliminated. Now that's class!

Like I said before, you cannot blame another for your loses. Just like in life, wins and loses are determined by your motivation and ability to succeed. Most of the time, teams are running for a chance to win the money. At one point or another, they re-evaluate their chances only to determine how important the grand prize really is. Those who get to the end and win do so by true determination; those who lose gave it their all and failed trying, or gave up half-way to the finish mat. Just don't blame the local citizens for their wrong directions, because it was you who chose to ask them.

To check out more TAR and other great reality TV blunders, check out MrTheamazingrace on youtube.

...then came Craftsman

Elisabeth enjoys Doritos and a Dew.

I want to get this blog post in before the next episode of Survivor and we have to meet a new Sears product. The immunity challenge last week involved Craftsman products from Sears, in which the castaways had to use a shovel, an ax, two saws, and a hammer to cut through the course's obstacles. It was the first time since Survivor Palau where the castaways used the products in the challenge. Typically the product placement occurs less-subtly in the rewards, where the castaways get Doritos, Charmin products, Coca-Cola, either a Ford, Saturn, Pontiac or Chevy. This was my favourite implementation of a product into a show.

Product placement is the lazy man's advertising. In all actuality, it's smart for producers to have the products in the show. Similar to the start of television soap operas when the housewife would use a certain brand of soap products to sell to the audience, reality television shows have jumped onboard to this form of advertising--they've even started to steer the cart.

It's Coke , Dawg.

Last year I wrote an essay on this topic, and I was not shocked to find that Survivor, the Biggest Loser (B.L.), and American Idol were the top three shows that used product placements. The placements are not subtle either: the top ten Idols in the first season appeared in a Ford commercial, and to this day the judges drink out of Coca-Cola cups; Survivor lets castaways win a call home on an Sprint phone, which also sponsors their website; the Biggest Loser trains the contestants in an Anytime Fitness gym, and the B.L. books, t-shirts and fitness materials are found throughout the campus.

It's just going to get stronger, as regular television shows are having small product placements appear. In movies it's second nature when no one realizes the reason a Mac in front of Alec Baldwin's naked body in "It's Complicated" was because Mac paid for the computer to be there. Apple ranked number one in product placements in movies in 2010; Apple appeared in 10 of the top films to rank number one in the box office, with 30 per cent share ("Shocker! Apple product placements dominate hollywood"). It's difficult to find a show out there, that hasn't ranked number one in ratings, to be without product placement. If you can find one, I'll shake your hand.

First left Russell...

Russell Hantz

The best night of Survivor has occurred. Russell Hantz, the evilest villain in the history of the game, was finally eliminated from the game and we will never see him again. In his own words "I am done playing Survivor."

Natalie White beats Russell 7-2

Russell was first introduced to the Survivor world in 2009 during Survivor Samoa, and before the first episode Jeff Probst (see left of screen) deemed him "the best villain Survivor has ever seen." I have to agree with that statement: Russell burnt other's socks on the first night, dumped out all the water and made his fellow tribemates lives miserable. But through it all, he dominated the strategic part of the game. He lost his first season to Natalie White for being too villainous, but he did manage to eliminate the strong eight members of Galu.

Sandra beats Parvati 5-4; Russell got not votes

His second season in Survivor Heroes vs. Villains gave Russell another advantage in an all-stars game: no one had seen him play before because the episodes were just airing in the North America. I believe he would have gone much sooner if anyone had seen him play. Parvati Shallows, the runner-up of that season, had "heard" about Russell's game play and strategy through producers. Their alliance helped both get to the end, but it was Sandra Diaz-Twine that became a two-time winner of Survivor (her previous win was during 2003's Pearl Islands season).

The Tribe has Finally Spoken

Russell's downfall was that he had a sense of entitlement. He "believed" he was destined to win Survivor, and that it was "his game." In his first two appearances on Survivor, he was able to find the hidden immunity idol (a small idol that can be used to nullify votes when it is used at tribal council. It can only be used once and must be presented before the reading of the votes). While he plays the game well, he never plays to win.This is why none of these photos show Russell in the winning position, and why he is out third this round (second due to Redemption Island).

I am not a Russell supporter. I laughed tonight as he cried before his dramatic exit. I think he's too self-righteous and am glad to see him go. Third time really was a charm-- for him to leave. But now that he's gone, bring in the newest tribe member: Craftsman. That's the next blog so stayed tuned. Check out CBS's Survivor website for more info about the new twist.

In the Real World

On Saturday I came across a new Canadian reality television show, specifically for kids: In Real Life. It's an Amazing Race-style show where nine teams of two, between the ages of 12 and 14, compete in "experience challenges" that are based on a chosen occupation. The kids, all from Canada, must complete these tasks in order to move onto the next "experience." From my research I discovered I am watching the first season, while the second season is currently underway and aired at an earlier hour.

The first season, so far, has taken the group of 18 to Atlanta, Georgia, where they completed tasks at a race car track: go-karting around a regulation NASCAR track, changing an air filter, tires and fueling a race car, and racing around a track at 240 km/hr to find three flags; the second took place in Florida at an alligator farm, where the teams had to collect baby alligators, one adult alligator, carry rats to a feeding yard filled with giant alligators, then race to the observation deck. At this point, the green team (Jesse, Barrie, and Carlisee, Toronto) were eliminated, and another reward was given out and a "wrench", as in "throw a wrench into the situation", was given out to slow down another teams progress in the next "experience."

I know that was a long explanation but you, my readers, should know the show and now watch it. I am purely jealous of these kids for two reasons: 1) they get to do these cool jobs I didn't even dream of as a kid, but now think it would be really awesome to do now; 2) They get to compete on a reality tv show that's in Canada! After watching this I know now I was born either way before my time or way after my time, in the wrong location.

But that's what I love about this show is that they are opening opportunities for these eighteen to experience different, if not life-threatening, jobs. All I had when I was their age was bring a kid to work day (I got to be a principal), and would have loved to had a chance to try out cool and interesting jobs. With only four weeks away until I enter that "real world" I only hope I get to test drive a cool, out-of-the-ordinary job. If PR is what it's shaping up to be, then I guess I'll definitely get my fix.

Dancing with the "Stars"?

I have developed a great admiration for the people who compete on dance shows, especially celebrities. Celebrity reality television shows are supposed to be easy (e.g. Celebrity Rehab), with little challenges that don't harm them and the filming doesn't take longer than a few days. Dancing with the Stars isn't that.

DWTS has become a Monday night ritual, like how The Bachelor is for some people. With the creation of the newest celebrity status -- Reality TV Star -- we are seeing a wide range of personalities on the series. Last year was my favourite by far: who knew that Mike "the Situation" Sorrentino could make it that far (the people of Jersey Shore, that's who); or that Kate Gosselin could "dance"? The fact is that reality TV stars aren't trained professionals, so it'll be hard for them to make it to the finals (Bristol Palin is an exception: she's not a reality star, she's a "teen activist"). Jennifer Grey did not surprise me last year, and overall I thought the cast was something to look forward to each week. This year may be different.

This year's cast is hard to explain because the names aren't that familiar. Rather than take celebrities who need a boost in their careers, ABC and DWTS's producers have reached out to current popular names and some old favourites who could use a little touch-up. I had to think twice before I realized who Wendy Williams or Kendra Wilkinson was, but to hear that Kirstie Alley, Chris Jericho, and Ralph Macchio are on the show made my day. Those are classic names, all with interesting resumes; I cannot say the same for Chelsea Kane (still trying to figure out who that person is). I think the reality competition shows, or the few that are left, need to keep bringing back names of people we enjoyed from the past and not from our present. Celebrity Apprentice 4 is airing on Sunday and Gary Busey, LaToya Jackson, and Star Jones are all revving up the audiences for a drama-filled season. I hope DWTS can do the same with their almost famous cast.

Sacrificing yourself for someone else.

There is one thing that bugs me about reality competition shows: people giving up their chance for someone else. This comes up after watching last night's episode of The Biggest Loser: Couples. In a shift from being the strongest team on campus, the black team decided that the oldest members -- Marci, Deni and Jesse -- should throw the weigh-in and each gain weight. To my absolute show and dismay, Deni gained 8 pounds to protect "the young kids" from going home. This included a member on the red team, Jen, from being eliminated (she gained 2 pounds and was set to go home before the black team's weigh-in). 

Biggest Loser Couples 4, 2011

What bugs me about The Biggest Loser is when they play in couples or teams, because someone always gives up their chance for another because "they need it more." Often the people who make it to the end of The Biggest Loser have convinced others that they are more deserving of being there than someone else. But shouldn't you be making the call whether you're more deserving of being there than someone else? Isn't the point of this show to lose weight and become the biggest loser by staying on campus? Shouldn't you be taking advantage of the resources provided to you, making the other thousands of obese people in America mad they don't get the same chances? How do you determine that your needs aren't worse than the needs of someone else?


This problem of sacrifice extends beyond this one weight-loss show to other reality competition shows. On Survivor, many people have determined that they will be the martyr and give up their chance for someone else to win. Where's the competition in that? During the tenth season in Palau, Janu Tornell quit the game because she had enough, but later changed her tune to say that she was giving up her chance so Stephenie LaGrossa (the one who outlasted the rest of her former tribe to be the last person left before the merge) could stay in the game and fight to win. I don't call these sacrifices; I call them orchestrated quits.

An orchestrated quit is taking the control away from the game and exiting the game by your own wishes. Most contestants who orchestrate their own exit are tired of playing the game, miss home and want out of the confines of the show. To those who have done it, you just took away the chance from thousands of others (hundreds of thousands in Canada) to get the chance to play the game. To CBS, I won't ever quit Survivor, Big Brother, or the Amazing Race for anyone. 


Maybe it's just me who wouldn't do that, but would you sacrifice your chance for $1 million pay out or the chance to save your own life for someone else?

Spinning PR in a different direction

This week's entry is for my fellow PR students who are craving to get out of the classroom and into the working world, whipping through press releases, organizing media conferences and updating the status of a top 100 company across the globe.

Summer, Lauren, Jonathon, Simon, Katie and Erika

I, as well as others I have talked to, have discovered The Spin Crowd on E! This show depicts Jonathon Cheban, insane yet brilliant owner of Command PR, running his west coast office. He has four staff working under him, as well as a quick-witted vice president. I was so excited to see that a reality show was made about PR but this one goes against my whole belief that reality television is real to me.


I haven't had much experience in PR yet, being only a student for now, but I am praying that I do not have to work for someone like Jonathon Cheban. I have my reservations about working for someone who tells his employees to get lip injections. I may be critical of what others wear, but I would take offense to being asked to change my physical appearance if it was not helpful to my overall health. Luckily for little Erika, the new girl from San Diego, she only got a temporary lip injection but angered Jonathon for deceiving her. I wonder if this is a question of morals.


I am worried that I will enter the PR world and have everyone compare it to this show. Better, more prestigious professions have been compared to other shows, not all reality television, like practicing medicine to Grey's Anatomy or ER, and practicing law to Boston Legal or Law and Order. PR, from what has been described from our professors, is going to be filled with writing, editing, communication and building relationships. I think looking for ways to melt fat away or improve your wardrobe shouldn't overshadow the importance of a great profession.