It's part reality television, part game show, but the 'Surreal Life Fame Games' is better described by host Robin Leach, who fondly refers to the hilarious new VH1 series as "train wreck entertainment."
I watched the premiere episode with the man himself and Fame Games cast member Traci Bingham at private gathering in a Palms Sky Villa last night. At the viewing party, the look on everyone's face seemed to prove Robin's description to be true. As they watched, you could almost hear what was going on in their heads. I imagine it went something like this: "This is so wrong... I shouldn't be watching this... I have to make sure I set my TiVo to record every single episode!!!"
Train wreck or not, I know my TiVo is set, because for a pop culture junkie, it doesn't much better than watching celebrities like Ron Jeremy and Vanilla Ice battle it out to find out who is the "most famous."
In the first challenge, cast members headed to Fremont Street for a fan photo contest. For the contest, 30 people were randomly selected and then asked to choose who they wanted to have their picture taken with. I figured that Verne Troyer would win, since Mini Me is such a memorable character, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only did Vanilla Ice win, but Verne was in a tie for last with what Robin called, "the bottom feeders."
Back at the mansion, Verne, Andrea Lowell and Chyna had to compete in a "swag bag" challenge to see who would be banished to the dreaded B-list. It's not really fair to call it a challenge, because all each star did was reach into a bag and pull out an item, hoping it was a celebrity-worthy gift and not something cheap. After two rounds, Andrea Lowell was able to remain on the A-List, while Verne and Chyna were sent to the B-List, a wing of the house where the lodgings are shabby and the food is crappy.
But what the premiere was really about was letting you know what to expect throughout the 10-episode season. (Watch the video preview) The most intriguing story line already established is the lesbian affair between Chyna Doll and Brigitte Nielsen. The two have already cuddled in bed together and are acting like they are long-lost loves. You can already see a 'Flavor of Love,' 'My Fair Brady,' spin-off in the works.
I spoke with Robin about the Chyna/Brigitte affair, and he said "it only gets better." According to Robin, the affair heats up in next week's episode when Brigitte goes to great lengths to be with Chyna in the B-List part of the house. I'm going to be getting more 'Surreal Life' secrets straight from the host himself, so, stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of what should easily be the best 'Surreal Life' season ever.
1. lets just bring back the gladiator rings
Judy at 8:31PM on Jan 12th 2007