Survivor Meets Junkyard Wars for Scientists

MyNameIsFred writes "Stepping back to Gilligan's Island, PBS has a new "reality" show Rough Science where "five scientists are challenged to put their collective scientific knowledge to practical use. Transported to isolated locations, they are presented with a series of tasks, with two notable restrictions: they must complete their work within three days and, with the exception of a rudimentary tool kit, must use only indigenous materials." Could the Professor really build all of those things? We'll soon know." Check out the Episode guide.

Comments

Frontier House in the Desers?

[levik]

This reminds me of the show they had last year called "Frontier House", where a family was put onto a 19th century homestead to see how they'd do. On hone hand that show proved very interesting, but on the other, the way it was made kind of emphasized scandal, and played down achievements of the more successfull family. I hope this doesn't happen with the new show, since PBS seems to be venturing into traditional network TV territory with these reality series, and I hope they don't sink to trash TV level while doing it.

Re:Frontier House in the Desers?

[tylerdave]

I don't think the point of Frontier House was to depict frontier life as it was. It seemed to me the point of the show was to make us think about all of the modern comforts and conveniences that we take for granted.

Too bad...

[Radish03]

Too bad Mary Ann won't be in it.

reality nitpick

[Em Emalb]

there's nothing realistic about yanking scientists/engineers out of their normal habitats, putting them on an island somewhere, and having them build stuff.

Please, almost as realistic as the real world, or survivor. Reality tv? That would be too boring. Call it what it is:

What would happen TV TM

Of Course . . .

[Stephen VanDahm]

"Will they make alliances with each other and scheme to get the other scientists?"

They're academics, aren't they?

Steve

What's with Slashdot here

[hacksoncode]

Geez, folks, come on... so it's a bit stupid. So what. Give them credit at least for trying to expose the unwashed masses to something remotely resembling scientific thought.

What did you expect? Nova? Talk about preaching to the choir.

Re:Just like college....

[ThePlague]

There are only two sciences: Physics and stamp collecting.

DuPont Information

[Punchinello]

My wife works for DuPont. This is their press release which gives information about where it will be aired:

Rough Science - DuPont will be the corporate sponsor of the BBC production "Rough Science" in which 5 scientists on a remote island are challenged to solve science problems through their collective wits, scavenged items and the natural resources of their surroundings. The program will air on PBS stations in many of the top markets including LA, NYC, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas & Washington D.C. Air dates and times vary by market. Major funding for the program is provided by the National Science Foundation. DuPont is the only corporate sponsor and our 15 second messages will appear at the beginning and close of each segment.