The Reality of Reality Shows

Three years ago my brother's then girlfriend threw caution (and a great job offer) to the wind and signed up for a new reality show hosted by Richard Branson of Virgin airlines/records fame. She spent something like six weeks filming the show, tromping across four continents and living in tight quarters with a bunch of whiney bitches and chumps. While the journey itself was the experience of a lifetime for her, the final cut turned out to be a bit of a dud. The show never became a Trump classic and was cancelled after the first season.

Turns out the whole show was kinda rigged and the guy who won was actually hand-selected to be part of the cast. He's the dude who owns that bean bag company that you find in malls - Love Sacs. He's since filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Too much time jumping out of airplanes with ol' Dick.

The second runner up, a floozy blonde chick, was given a bunch a money to help starving women in africa. I'm not sure she ever did anything with it. She runs a famous bra and panty hose company. The show helped her promote her stuff and now she's even richer than she was before.

Niki and her costar Erica were made out to be the evil model twins on the show and were axed in the second-to-last episode. They remain good friends today. Erica's real modeling career has taken off. She is now happily married and recently shot a promo for Gap maternity. Niki, an attorney, is also now happily married, to my brother, and they have two big dogs and great careers and live the posh life near the Golden Gate.

And they are lucky they didn't win - all the fame and fortune would have really smothered them. Not. I was standing with Niki once at a restaurant in Rossland, Canada when she was recognized. She said it only happened about two other times.

Well, wouldn't you know it, Fox Reality Channel is re-airing the Rebel Billionaire this week - and it's a Marathon! I think its already halfway over, but if you want to laugh (and cringe), check it out. I think it airs twice a day or something. And, don't judge my poor "boorish" and "smug" sister-in-law, as her costars call her. She was the smartest gal out there. So what if she understands the true meaning of 'cutthroat competition.' She fits right in with this family.

And who knows, now that the show is re-airing, it could become a cult classic. Watch out Niki, that could be Letterman calling!