Reality TV "Astronauts" Lift Off

RJG writes "In the latest reality show on British TV, three British "space tourists" last night succesfully blasted off on a five day mission and are currently orbiting the earth 200 miles up. Or so they think. And to forestall the first question. They aren't experiencing weightlessness due to a combination of being in a low orbit (rather than outer space where the weightlessness is) and a few under-floor gravity generators."

Comments

Re:Dramatic Final Episode

[vague disclaimer]

You are of course labouring under the illusion that the whole thing isn't a hoax on the viewer.

Some Quotes From the Site

[eldavojohn]

So they're setting these people up to be made idiots in front of entire nations of television watchers.

At first I was disgusted from the initial appearance of this show, and unfortunately after a few quotes from the profiles such as these:

Andrew is also scared of moths.

Astrid's had a boyfriend for the last 6 months and claims she has lots of friends. She's an adventurous girl who dreams of riding in a Formula 1 car.

He believes in reincarnation and wants to return as a golden eagle. Billy does not believe in ghosts but claims to have seen an alien.

Keri's strangest job was dressing up as a human eyeball to promote Specsavers. Other unusual achievements include being able to put her fist in her mouth.

Ryan is happiest when he has no responsibility, but he has big plans for the future - so watch out world!

I realize that this will probably be an instant success. It appears to be on a UK channel but I'm guessing it will be picked up and aired in the states.

I guess when you put people like this together, you have a formula for an instant TV hit (like every reality show before it). Am I allowed to hate this show if it's making light of the people I dislike the most in this world?

If you disagree that it's going to be a hit, check out the 9 pages of posts on its bulletin boards.

Also to note, there are posts on the bulletin that this may be a hoax on the viewing public. Just relaying that speculation.

Re:Dramatic Final Episode

[hobbit]

And then... the final twist.

Re:The "Casting Call" episodes must be the best

[Spudley]

The only had one "casting call" episode, and yes, it was entertaining. They also didn't tell the applicants what they were applying for until the end of the selection process, so these people were doing all sorts of wacky things without any clue as to why.

I agree with you that it's a horribly cruel trick to be playing. But it does make for cringeingly funny viewing.

On the other hand, as long as they don't work out the ruse, the participants will be awarded with a trip to the real Russian space training centre, and an experience of weightlessness in the vomit comet, so if they can stay stupid for another five days, they'll at least get the chance to do some of it for real.

One thing I will place a bet on is that this show will be very quick to make the jump over the Atlantic. ;-)

One final note -- there are some rumours flying around that all the contestants are actually actors, and that the whole thing is actually a hoax on the viewers. But frankly, the viewing is entertaining enough that it doesn't matter to me one way or the other. hehehe.

Re:The "Casting Call" episodes must be the best

[StikyPad]

Exactly.. the people know they're not in space on some level, but they're rationalizing what they've been told because they lack evidence to the contrary.

"It's strange, this environment. I'm having fun, but I want to see more of the earth," she confided.

"Don't you find it...strange?" asked Charlie, not leading her on in any way.

"Yes it feels strange. I'd love to be looking out. Part of me knows we're here but part of me thinks we could be in the simulator," said Keri, shaving close to the truth.

"Well," reassured Charlie, "Your brain plays tricks on you."

I'm sure she's more certain than not that she's not in space, but when there are people all around you saying exactly the opposite, it takes more than being 55% sure, or even 75%. You need evidence, or you risk looking like more of a fool.

The only thing more pathetic than this show is the people who point and laugh while thinking "I'd never do that!" when, in fact, we do it every day. How many times have articles on the front page of /. been discussed until a comment finally crops up saying "Hoax!"

Now I'm all in favor of ridiculing stupidity and playing practical jokes. But creating an elaborate scheme designed to fool the participants for days on end so they can be derided at the national level is just pathetic.