Here's something nice and fluffy for the weekend. Has anyone been watching 'Shipwrecked' or 'Castaway 2000' (I think they're being shown in the US, in Canada they're on Newsworld and OLN)? There aren't any $1 million prizes, and both are a bit more like social experiments. Shipwrecked (they've done two) leaves a bunch of young adults (late teens/early 20's) on an island within a 3 hour paddle of civilization (and extra supplies), while Castaway 2000 had a bunch of people building and living in their own community on a northern Scottish(?) island. Anyone seen these?

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Answers

I didn't even know they had a second castaway already...Geez do those ppl ever stop...i need to have my own realitly show..but the realitly is no one wants to watch a girl with a broken pelvis sit at the computer...BUT what is entertainment is IRONCHIEF (im feeling dyslexic today i really hope i spelled that right...anyways the first time i seen him bite that pepper i was hooked heehee

-- Anonymous, March 17, 2001

Recently, I've been glued to the latest reality show to hit the UK; 'Cave of the Brave'.

It's almost exactly the same premise as all of the 'small, diverse group of people vs mother nature' shows, except that this one is intended to replicate life as a Neanderthal. I was slightly sceptical when I heard the game's premise, but like the best-designed reality shows, it's actually completely absorbing.

The twelve contestants have been living in a cave about 200 miles north-west of the Mongolian city Erdenet, near the Yenisey river. A shoulder of granite rises up from the steppe, with numerous caves on the south-facing slopes. Each contestant was given a fur to wear, but no other possessions were allowed.

Anyway, it's been very educational, and pretty gripping at times.

It took the group some time to get used to the freezing Mongolian winds, and the tough, abrasive Mongolian grass - in fact, the vast majority of the group swore not to even leave the cave, and one of them briefly chased after the helicopter after being dropped off, but after numerous appeals to the cameras had proved fruitless, they had no choice but to go out hunting.

Little by little, they have adapted to their new way of life. Many of them spend their days huddled together at the back of the cave, cursing semi-audibly. Others have demonstrated more ingenuity.

A software programmer from Cambridge and a yoga-teacher from Whitby managed to catch the group's first substantial meal ten days after the game started: as a hapless yak passed through a narrow path between overhanging shelves of rock, they dropped a boulder on it. But the group's joy was short-lived when a) they found that Mongolian grass is difficult to light, and b) the yak belonged to an indigenous band of nomadic farmers, who chased them across the steppe for hours before catching a financial director from Hull and taking him to Erdenet, where he was sold to a local merchant.

Last week, there was a near-revolt, when one of the group claimed to have found a deeper, drier cave on the north-facing side of the rock, and tried to entice several of the group's colder members to join him. The debate developed along fairly predictable lines - it was a fairly simple, 'fear of the unknown vs potential warmth' debate - but it became so heated that the instigator (a milkman from Essex) was eventually driven out by the others, and now roams the steppe, howling.

Personally, I'm looking forward to next week's episode, where the producers plan to up the stakes by introducing a group of Homo Sapiens (played by actors) into the equation, and leaving the two units to fight over the territory's meagre resources.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Well, the Cave thing sounds interesting, and I was wondering when they were going to introduce a show that threw people into real wilderness (ie not a tropical location). I'd like to see them try something in the far north.

I'm concerned though, with how far they want to push people. Do you think there's any likelihood of one cave dweller bashing another in the head with a rock so he/she could eat the other's food. How about leaving the weakest member on a ledge to die of exposure in the interest of maintaining the remaining, stronger members. Now, that would be real. Sorry to be a downer, but I'm just wondering how 'true' these situations can really be when a production crew is only feet away.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Pale, that was a joke right? You were joking. Please tell me you were joking. :)

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Re-read your post Pale - and yeah, is that *really* a show, or are you havin' us on? (If it isn't, now I feel really stupid).

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

no doubt, IRON CHEF is the bomb-diggityest show on teevee!!! (FoodTV Fridays & Saturdays, 7p & 10p Pacific time.)

I do like it when Chairman Koga bites into that yellow pepper...it looks like he has a seizure, or maybe the hiccups after that.

I like to say: "Fukui-san?", "Take it, Ohta", "Iron Chef Kenichi is using scallions, heavy cream, lard, and beef bouillion for his gravy!"

I just love those translators, what a fun job they have! I like how they try to time their wisecracks just right!

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

Pale, I love you *snicker*...I'm glad you're back on HF...he he!

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001

I thought of a reality show that i was addicted to, but can't remember the name exactly...it was on PBS over the summer...a family had to live in a victorian house, wear the clothes (corsettes :P) the whole Shebang. It's was interesting. But i refuse to subject myself to shows like "temptation island" and now a new one comming to fox called "chains of love" (or whatever it is),where they shakle several single ppl together for a set period of weeks i suppose, and of coarse they are all supermodel-esque ppl, just to see who falls in love, who has sex (chained?) We woulnd't want NORMAL ppl would we?

Jonny...I know the voice overs are great, i like the chef with the clown voice. I was in shock when i realized the pepper guy is serious about his wardrobe (he thinks he's hot), and that the show isn't from the 80's...heehee...but alas Iron Chef is not a reality show, but it's gross and addictive, i suggest everyone watch one :)

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

It was called "1900 House" Pretty cool.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

The "pepper guy" is playing the part of a lord in a castle devoted to culinary delights. That's why he dresses that way.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001