At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, I fear that reality television is one step closer to gladiatorial, Running Man-type stakes with the announcement that the Fox Reality channel is seeking "one incredible risk-taker who engages in the gamble of a lifetime by selling everything he or she owns to make one epic bet on a Vegas roulette wheel's red or black" for a show called Double or Nothing.
For the sake of an audience's ephemeral entertainment, Fox Reality and production company LMNO is enticing a fellow American to either double (not times 10 or 100? just double? ridiculous) their net worth or to reduce it to zero.
Perhaps the follow-up series will giddily trail the loser as he/she compares the amenities of various homeless shelters.
The producers want you to know they aren't just amoral cads preying upon foolish adrenaline junkies by noting they are only looking for single men and women, 21 and older, with no dependents, who are, get this, "financially and mentally sound." "Finalists will undergo a full risk management background check," the announcement adds helpfully.
They don't think people will be much interested in watching the poor or the insane take the challenge.
"We're looking for a person who is willing to take this life-changing risk because they understand that it's just money," said executive producer Eric Schotz. "This is a terrific opportunity for someone who has reached a certain point in their life where they're ready to shake things up."
I personally don't see doubling your money as "life-changing," though that description would certainly fit being cast headlong into penury. Too bad we don't have debtor's prison anymore: that would be more fun even than the homeless shelter!
And speaking of risk, gambling expert and author of the annual American Casino Guide, Steve Bourie, says it's a sucker's game anyway. "Anyone willing to risk their entire net worth on one spin of a roulette wheel might be better off spending that money on a rehab program because they probably have a problem," said Bourie.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
What if BillG takes up the challenge?
2 - Victor Lana
Eric, I find this direction very disturbing. As you say there will be no shortage of "victims" and it's really a travesty. I think in general "reality" TV is annoying, cheap, cleverly packaged tripe. It costs a great deal less to make these shows, and now they're doing at the viewer's expense (literally).
I think George Carlin said I used to watch TV to escape from reality not watch shows about it.
3 - Jared
Haha, imagine Bill G getting on there and winning. I can just see the look on Fox execs' faces now.
4 - Eric Olsen
Gates would be a hilarious choice Aaman! And with his income, he could actually afford to lose it all because he'd be a billionaire again in a few days
agree totally Victor, although there are better and worse depending upon such elements as talent (American idol is a talent show rather than a reality show), the "spirit" of the show (in this case the very worst), whether or not the behavior being watched in the show is "natural" or not (more and more "not" over time). The more contrived a show is the more manipulative it is and the less it is "reality" vs coercion. Like the expert said, anyone willing to do this has a real problem that should be treated rather than facilitated.
5 - Mary K. Williams
Yes, this is definitely disturbing. When fundy groups get all hepped up about TV ruining the family, I hope they include some of these reality shows.
The idea that greed is glorified again and again in continually more debasing ways--
Ick I dont know what to say.
Seriously -
makes me feel physically ill.
6 - Eric Olsen
agreed MKW, I wish no one watched these shows, that would be the best answer
7 - El Bicho
This was already done in England. I had to alter the link.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/12/ [put the game here].win/
Unfortunately, the more channels and outlets that need to be filled, the more untalented producers get shows like this on TV. Hollywood has been watered down just like all major league sports due to expansion.
Back to the bread and circuses.