Big Brother meets Vertical Limits in US TV gameshow...
The December issue of the outstanding US outdoors 'zine
Outside plopped onto the Outdoors Magic doormat this morning, with news of the latest reality show to hit the States.
At this very moment, the 'Global Extremes Mt. Everest' TV show is putting 50 contestants through their skiiing, climbing and rafting paces in Moab and Telluride for the chance to win one of five places on a guided shot at the summit of Everest and a cash prize of $50,000.
In just a few weeks, the fifty participants will be whittled down to twelve, who will then go on to the Kalahari desert, Borneo and Iceland. They'll sweat, freeze, bond and weep telegenically in dizzyingly diverse exotic locations, before the Big One - the first ever live broadcast of a summit attempt on Everest, due to take place in May 2003.
Contestants submitted an application form, a three-minute video of themselves and their mountain CV to win a place in the final fifty, but the President of the TV network has stressed that once the participants reach Everest Base Camp all that nasty mean competitive stuff will be taken out of the equation. Everyone in the final five will trouser $50,000. Hey, they're all winners.
If you're thinking about entering next year, sorry, this one's strictly for the Meericans, but you can read the rules here, particularly the bit at the end where the programme makers wash their hands of all legal action by your grieving relatives should you wander to your death down the Lhotse face.
And a message from the sponsors: 'Toyota are proud to support the competitors and showcase its SUVs which meet the needs of thrillseekers blah blah more blah...'
A cynical, dangerous and rabid quest for ratings and ad revenue, or a tearjerking tribute to the indomitable power of the human spirit? Start a forum thread on this subject here...
