Trouble in Reality...

There’s trouble in the land of reality television this week. The latest reality television controversy stems around NBC’s “The Biggest Loser’s” contestants on the current season, and it just may be a breach of contract for those involved. There are recent reports that all of the remaining contestants of this seasons’ Biggest Loser walked off set and refuse to compete, because producers brought back all previously eliminated contestants to compete once again. Current contestants think this is an unfair move and refuse to compete under the current conditions.

I’ve got a few thoughts about the recent turmoil:

A.     Could this just be a publicity stunt on the behalf of a lower rated season of “The Biggest Loser”?

B.     Are these contestants really that stubborn?

C.     And, if all of this is really true, what kind of crazy lawsuits are on their way from NBC to the walk off contestants?

Regarding the first possibility, I can’t help but think how lame it would be for NBC to stoop to this strategy, yet also brilliant at the same time. I certainly think it has a WWF stage flare to it, but I could see how it would work in the end. If they round up enough Biggest Loser fanatics and blog writers to stir the pot of speculation, perhaps their desired ratings will come forth.

In terms of the second thought, if these contestants are just that stubborn, I, and many other viewers will be disappointed, especially those who tried out for the show and didn’t make it, but would have put their all in changing their lifestyle on the ranch…after all, that’s what the show is all about, right? Riiiiight. Lines get blurred when there’s cash and cameras involved. These contestants may really have let the lure of winning prize money or the rush from getting attention from producers get the best of them. I hope that it’s not true, but then again, I hope that my first speculation isn’t true either. Hmmm. It’s almost a lose-lose here, folks.

And, for my last thought, if this is indeed a stunt that the contestants have pulled off, I would bet there’s going to be some hefty lawsuits filed by NBC and perhaps other affiliates, such as advertisers through product placement, etc. I could be wrong, but I would imagine that signing a contract to be a contestant on “The Biggest Loser” doesn’t leave you much wiggle room to walk off the show and interrupt production and not get penalized in some way. That’s where I will be very curious to the outcome, if it is indeed true, and not just a producer publicity stunt. I’d hate to see things go awry with the network and contestants on something as silly as this.

Time will tell, I guess. May the least drama-filled contestant win! 

'Biggest Loser' Castoff Contestants on Strike Are Sabotaging Their Lives:

http://www.tmz.com/2012/02/23/biggest-loser-john-forger-strike/#.T0bjNMpEHu1

Business Tips From Reality Television Star Donald Trump

In honor of one of my favorite reality television shows starting up this month, “The Celebrity Apprentice”, I would like to dedicate this post to our dearly beloved, or not so beloved, Donald Trump. Because this blog focuses on the happenings of reality television through the lens of what I’m learning in my time at Full Sail University in their Master’s of Entertainment Business program, I’ll keep in line with that theme and highlight some business tips from reality star, Mr. Trump.

While Mr. Trump himself was unavailable for a brief interview the next decade, I thought I would go to the next best interview source – the internet- and find some tips from “The Donald” on how to set yourself up well in the precarious world of business.

Below are a few tips on succeeding in business I pulled from a video on YouTube, titled “Donald Trump’s Words of Wisdom”.

“Push your teammates and employees. Don’t push them over the edge, but push them.” What I hear from this is that the people who work with and for you probably have a lot more in them than they think. If you push and challenge them beyond what they would normally do, chances are they are going to be far more productive and successful. Squeeze every ounce of their potential out.

“Separate yourself from the pack.” It’s good to provide some sort of differentiating factor about you or your business that will bring you above the crowd, so to speak. Mr. Trump knows very well how to do this. He provides goods and services that are exceptional and full of quality. In this way, his clients and customers know without a shadow of a doubt they are going to receive the best possible service, and continue to use his services, whether it’s buying property, or going on vacation at his resorts.

“Try not to show your fear. When you hear the “no” you have to figure it out. Maybe you’re doing something wrong. Take that “no” and turn it into “yes”.” Trump says that if you keep hearing “no”, you need to figure out what is keeping you form getting to “yes”. By hearing “no” you are able to make the necessary improvements and become a better person.

Though our man Donald Trump can be quite a controversial figure in the public realm, he really is worth listening to in the area of business. The man knows what he is doing and has been quite successful. Anyone who has the title “billionaire” attached to his or her name probably has some worthwhile advice. Hopefully you find these few tips helpful and put them into practice for your own business endeavors!