Banking on people's fascination for viewing other people's suffering, Power TV (中天頻道) launched Survivor (生存遊戲) last night in a show premised on the dubious spectacle of people who are forbidden food. The show puts nine people in a 3m3 plexiglass box who are told to survive on one liter of water a day and the prospect of walking out with a big cash prize at the end. Viewers are supposed to sit back and watch them suffer. To liven up the show, contestants will be taunted by the smell of steaks being cooked nearby.
Most of the participants are TV personalities, with the exception of Francois Williams, a South African veteran of such game shows as Much TV's Shi-jie Ta Bu-tung (世界大不同). "I'm in it for the money," he said, giving every indication he would take the attempt at the NT$200,000 cash prize quite seriously.
PHOTO:IAN BARTHOLOMEW, TAIPEI TIMES
Contestants are allowed to bring various means of diversion such as books or playing cards into the box, but food is definitely not allowed. The box is located at the main entrance of the New York, New York shopping complex in Taipei's Hsinyi district. To ensure lively television, they will be forced each day to undergo various torments designed to make them quit.
A practitioner of martial arts and meditation, Williams is confident of his ability to stay the term. Most of the other TV personalities weren't worried either, saying it would be a great way to relax, lose weight or read. "I have brought a book on qigong meditation said Hsueh Chih-cheng (薛志正), a TV personality who is participating with his wife Linda.
Lighting up a cigarette in the dressing room before the launch, Linda said she had quit smoking before, and not smoking for five days wouldn't be any problem. Hsueh said he was there to accompany his wife, and while he would give it his best shot, didn't really mind if he lost.
Ditzy Li Ching (
Jacko Jiang (蔣偉文) had more practical considerations. "I am only concerned about the ventilation. What happens, say, if five people decide to fart at the same time."
"At least we'll be able to smoke when we take a leak," he said.
Organizers said that contestants would be allowed 10 visits each day to the toilet, but the number of visits would count against them if more than one contestant completed the five day test. The quantity of water drunk during the five days would be another way of deciding a draw.
TV programs that put participants through painful or humiliating activities are hardly new, but Survivor seems eager to push the limits in Taiwan. Power TV organizers said they are eager to have the general public take part and there are still spaces for contestants to starve and bore themselves in a repeat event next week. After that, the show will take on different formats, such as marathon kissing, sleep deprivation, running on the spot and weight loss.
People interested in participating in future events should call 0943 991 995 or visit the show's Web site at http://www.ishows.tv The program will be screened on Power TV's entertainment channel at 9pm daily.
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