Road Rules Week – Wednesday – Dude, Where's My RV?

We conclude “Road Rules Week” by looking at the rest of this season. Actually, that will be a little tricky because this show is unique. This is the first time that a season of The Real World, Road Rules, or Real World/Road Rules Challenge is being filmed almost LIVE. Road Rules: Viewer’s Revenge is not taped months in advance like most of this shows before it. This show is actually taped a week in advance and then aired that next week. That is because of the interactive element to this game.

If you read my interviews the previous 5 days this week, you will know that most of the Road Rules “alumni” like the interactive format. They think it could have worked a little better, but overall they like hearing what the fans have to say right now. The new kids on the show seem to like it as well, although some “alumni” think otherwise. But regardless of what they think, I think that MTV has done a poor job of promoting this element to this show.

A lot of the cast members say the rules were confusing at first, and I have to agree there. They didn’t clearly explain things and promote the right elements like they should have. Sure, they mentioned something about the interactive element to the show. However, I don’t think they made it clear that this show is practical LIVE. The MTV website for this show also probably frustrated some viewers. The MTV website can be hard to navigate and frustrate some viewers. I know that’s why I don’t go on it. Too much going on and seems to be more geared to high-speed interview users. Granted, that’s the way the internet is going, but it can be expensive to some people. So if they could have created a more “basic” version of the site, it might have been better.

Those may be some of the reasons why this season of Road Rules is down in the ratings. I know it’s not because it’s Road Rules. Road Rules is one of the original reality TV shows. It’s one of the best. However, most fans would agree that it was at its best in the early seasons. It was at its best when Road Rules was about having the ULTIMATE road trip with 5 or 6 people on a RV. If we want drama and eliminating people from the RV, we can watch The Challenges. That show has perfected that sort of game. Road Rules needs to stick to the “road trip” element for it to succeed. Then again, maybe viewers want to see drama. But maybe not the “forced” drama that seemed to occur early on this season of Road Rules: Viewer’s Revenge.

Pretty much all of the cast members I talked too, whether they were “veterans” or “newbies”, agreed that this season should get better. The most interesting stuff is yet to come. They don’t know for sure, since this show is not taped months in advance like I said. But I tend to believe that as well. So with that in mind, I’m going to try and promote the show a little better. I told you what Road Rules should do to be Road Rules again. But since we are halfway through this season, it’s a little hard to change the format AGAIN without frustrating most viewers. So we have to make due with what we have. Lets look at the positives of the show and forget the negatives. One of the MAJOR positive is that you actually have the cast members commenting on the show while they are STILL on the show. That’s unique. One of the big negatives was the website design, though. So I’m going to make it easy for fans to take a look at those blogs without having to go the MTV website. I’m going to give you some of the latest blogs from various cast members right here and right now. So here you go:

**NOTE** This is the blog Adam was referring to in the interview I did with him yesterday. I actually interviewed him on Monday, March 19. That is before this blog was actually posted by Adam. But the interview didn’t post on this site until after this blog was posted. It’s confusing, I know, but the point is he may say some stuff that he said in my interview with him. Still, it’s good enough to read twice…

Adam Larson – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

Seriously, Get Real or Stop Making Out

This mission ties with the race car driving as my favorite mission so far. There have been times when I wish that I had enlisted in the military or applied to the Naval Academy. For whatever reason I choose to go down a different path and it is when I go through experiences like this that I wonder where would I be now? Going into the ice was my favorite, it’s what my little brother Eric calls type 2 fun. You don’t realize how much fun you were having till you are enjoying a beer discussing it with your friends and family days later.

But since I’m sure everyone else will be talking about this amazing mission there is something else that is on my mind that I want to blog about. This week I will be taking a few hundred words to talk about my 1st time being on Road Rules and the difference now, 6 years later, as I travel around on the RV once again. I believe in adventure, competition and most of all I believe in being honest to yourself and others. It is tough to live on an RV with 5 people and even more difficult to be yourself when you know that a camera could capture and exploit you at your weakest moments on national TV. The newer kids like Dan and Tori are trying to figure out how to be themselves, be honest, and be loved.

The first time I stepped in front of a camera I had just turned 22 and was almost done with my hospitality degree from Boston University. I had been cast when I went off on an internship to Puerto Rico and by chance attended an open casting call with a friend of mine. I knew of the shows but I didn’t watch them religiously and therefore didn’t really have a definite understanding of what I would be getting myself into. At that time Real World and Road Rules were the only reality TV shows around except for Survivor which was in its 2nd season. I was immature, out of control and thought that everything I did was entertaining. I realized that although some of the stuff I did got a laugh it was actually at others’ expense. I realized that I was trying to be something I was not; it wasn’t just uncomfortable for myself but everyone else around me.

It’s now 2007 and it seems like everyone has been on one reality TV show or another, I’ve been on 5 on MTV alone. What seems to have changed is that people view reality TV as a lottery ticket instead the great vacation from reality that it is. The point is that everyone knows about reality TV and if they are trying to gain exposure so that they can get into acting, comedy, modeling, etc. they don’t want to come off looking anything less than awesome. As someone who has been working in the entertainment industry, being a recognizable face actually makes it more difficult, reality TV shows are no “yellow brick road”.

As for my original Road Rules experience, 6 years ago I landed in Morocco and climbed aboard an RV with Blair, Ellen, Steve, Sophia and Jisela (Katie would join us later) and we lived our lives, had our fights, came together to win missions and opened our eyes to what each other had to offer. I was who I was and only had the opportunity to see what I was like from a 3rd person’s perspective 3 months after I had gotten home when the show started to air.

Now Road Rules incorporates the “live” element into the mix. It makes this wild adventure more interactive for the viewers but before we take off for our next mission we relive the past week every Wednesday night at 10:30. We also have the blog responses, message boards and emails to read where people we have never met face to face get direct access to pass judgment on our actions. Even crazier is that we need to get these people on our side so that they can vote us back on the RV if we find ourselves as part of the Pit Crew.

I wonder how the newbies (Dan, Tori, Angel, Dave, Lamonte, Ivory, Jerry and Kristen) can even attempt to be real. I think the world of both Dan and Tori and as individuals they both are exceptional although right now they seem to be one and the same, it’s the Dan and Tori story. As for their romantic relationship, it became a forced issue, something the viewers want. Even if Dan and Tori would have dated they are bombarded with everyone’s voices and opinions of what they should be which drowns out whatever they might be feeling.

I have learned to hide nothing and to say everything. The more you own your imperfections the more people are willing to forgive. What cast members and viewers alike will not except is when someone is trying to cover something up. The truth will eventually come out and when it does it will be so much more dramatic. To anyone out there who wants to be on a reality TV show, and I’m sure you will get your opportunity, be as nice, bitchy, slutty, drunk, religious, modest, boring, hyper, or whatever as you would back home. It’s your true personality that gets you on a show and it should be your true personality that the viewers get to see once the camera comes around.

Kina Dean – Week 8 Blog (3/20/07)

I’m sorry Staff Sergeant Steve for being the worst Marine ever!

Hi you guys,

So I think I have been doing a pretty good job at not being completely stressed out. I love competing and life on the RV has been so fun…but this week, due to some serious girl issues, I was a moody, emotional mess! Poor Staff Sergeant Steve, he must have thought I was crazy. He said ‘no pillows and no sheets’ and I wanted to shoot him. Eating out of a bag sucked and waking up at 6am really sucked, but the mission was amazing. It was damn near impossible to breathe because the elevation was almost 10,000 feet. Our bodies were working over time just walking around let alone running half way up a mountain top. We did really well during the first part of our mission and I felt lots of encouragement from the Staff Sergeant but when good ole’ Stevey told us we had to ski into the frozen lake; I wanted to shoot him again. How ridiculous is that!? Since we only needed 4 people to do it, the boys all stepped up and Tori, who was feeling extra ambitious, decided to take one for the team. Dave is a great guy and I am glad that he was able to find success in his first mission with us. He was pretty nervous and I think he was just glad to have his first mission over with. We finally win our mission and Steve says the sweetest words in the world… ‘You can leave base camp’. Yaaaaaaaaaayyyy!! I tell you, I give all military personnel a lot of respect because their lifestyle is something else. I admire their determination and their commitment to the military. I have to admit that perhaps I would have had a better marine experience if I wasn’t going through all my girl crap, but hey, sometimes you just can’t help it. I am not one to cry a whole lot or complain and my emotional freak out surprised me. I am definitely not high maintenance, at all (despite all the make up and hair crap you guys always talk about) I really don’t need much and I feel bad for our staff sergeant because he got me at the worst time of my month, if you know what I mean. Yeah, so not fun…

Onto the pit…This part is always the worst. Someone has to go in and I know that there is a lot of speculation among the pit crew-ers as to how we are voting or volunteering or whatever the best I can say but we are all just trying to make the best decision and are trying to vote on a fair and intelligent basis. It must be hard for them to understand what’s going on because they are unable to experience it in the way that we do. I just hope that when their time comes they have a better understand of what this is all about. Many of them say in their blogging that they hope to shake things up; well, we all saw what happen
with Angel and that obviously didn’t work out so I hope they learn from her mistakes. Dan decided to volunteer himself because he has yet to go into the pit. I think he’ll be great. He’s a tough guy and he wants to be here so badly, so whoever he goes against will have a hell of a fight. He and Dave are the best of friends so I am hoping that Dan comes back and I get to see more of their antics together. Dan and Tori told us all about Dave and how crazy he was; boy does he live up to it!

He might be the weirdest boy I have ever met but he’s so funny. Dave’s from a small town so everything is new to him and he’s so appreciative of the experience. I love it! He’s like a kid in a candy store. It’s so cute; he’ll just look around the RV and I ask him “Dave what are you doing??” and he says…”MAN! I just can’t believe I’m here…I’m on Road Rules.” It’s adorable!

It’s funny how the vibe on the RV changes when someone new comes on board. But Dan better get his butt back here because I need some serious entertainment and between him and Dave, we’ve got it made! So, go vote and wish Dan luck because the pit is no fun! See you at the next mission!

Love,
Kina

Dan Walsh – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

My Time is now!

Throughout the weeks the RV has been tested with tasks that ordinary people would not be asked to accomplish especially one after another like the Roadies have. This week the RV brought us to Bridgeport CA which is the home of the Marine Corps cold weather survival installation. I was very excited to arrive and see my brothers in arms there to surprise us with what in my mind would be the most challenging mission yet. Although I have a history with the Marine Corps I have never had to do the training that we were asked to do and that pumped me up for many reasons that are both Road Rules and Marine Corps orientated. During those days on the compound we were asked to learn avalanche rescue and cold weather survival and all at a high elevation which if you haven’t figured it out means less oxygen. The thing that the Marines and Road Rules have in common with me is that they both continuously force me to adapt and overcome obstacles that I have never been and probably never will be again asked to accomplish, and to have them brought together in this one occasion made it that much more special.

The mission came in two parts, Avalanche rescue and Survival. The rescue stick was to find an avalanche victim, dig him out, load him onto a sled and get him to a medical vehicle all in a time that would insure him the best chance to survive. The team pulled together and communicated well to remove the victim from beneath the ice and snow. From there we continued to gel and load the victim onto the sled in the safest way to cater to the injuries of the victim. The last task was to pull the victim (led by David) to the medical truck to hopefully save his life. David definitely stepped up and pulled his weight in order for us to accomplish this first part. The whole team really did well and showed that together we are one strong force to stop.

The second and final part was entitled “survival.” When we hooked into our skis and journeyed to the bottom of the hill we realized that we were on a lake and in the middle of it was a hole. The Marines then asked that four of us would have to ski into the hole with a full pack being completely dunked into freezing water. From there we would have to hold on to both poles; remove the pack, swim back to were we had already came from; throw the pack back on the ice; dig the poles into the ice, state our name, home town, and the alphabet; and then finally remove ourselves from the icy water. In this mission especially we had to listen to our training in order to safely and successfully accomplish the mission. Since I was the Marine I wanted to go first but in David’s continuous campaign to prove himself to the team he insisted on going first. David, followed by myself, Adam and finally Tori all successfully accomplished what we were asked and for that I am so proud of everyone on the RV. There was definitely pressure for me to perform well in front of my fellow Marines but in the end I had to focus on what I had to do to help the team and nothing else. Sgt Morris and Sgt Dart did everything that was necessary to equip us with the training we needed to in order to be successful and for that I would really like to thank them. The Marines that we were involved with in the mission definitely backed up what I said about them to the roadies prior to the mission.

After we successfully accomplished the mission and said good-bye to The Few and The Proud, it was time to select who was going to the pit. I have had such a good time these past weeks and had an even better time watching David have the time of his life in his first week so for that I made my decision. In the past weeks everyone has taken their time in the pit and with that my time is now. I have had the time of my life and for that it is only a win-win situation when coming to the pit. I am going to the pit this week and I am bringing hell with me! So for whomever the pit crew member is who has to face me get ready for the fight of your life!

– Dantastic

Tori Hall – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

The Few and Proud…OUR US MARINES!

Wow this week has been INCREDIBLE!…but, I’m not going to lie…I actually miss Shane A LOT!!…however, if he had to lose to somebody, I’m glad it was David. David has one of the biggest hearts of anybody I have ever met. He has this twinkle in his eye that is filled with such wonder and awe. David reminded me this week why I love road rules so much!!! Also SUSIE IS BACK…YAYAYAY!!!…I have missed her over the last couple weeks, the RV definitely wasn’t the same without her. We are back to being the Brady Bunch…which I know you viewers don’t like but it makes life on the RV so much easier!

After we picked up the new Roadies, we drove straight to our mission. This week we had a really long drive, but it wasn’t so bad because we really got to know David. When we got to the military training camp it was a BIG change from last week. Last week we were in Lake Havasu in the warmest weather, this week we were in the snowy mountains about to go through tough trainging…This weeks mission made me gain so much respect for our Armed forces. I know what they go through is rough but I had no idea how tough it really is (and they went easy on us). I have a whole new level of respect for our Marines, not only in Iraq but all over the world. It was also really good because I was able to see Dan around people he called family for so long!…This mission was by far the most challenging thing I have done. I HATE BEING COLD!! I would rather be hot any day of the week….but as soon as I’m cold I am miserable! Which probably isn’t a good thing seeing that I live in Virginia. Anyways, I loved the skiing part of the mission, but the jumping into the FREEZING cold water I felt was a bit unnecessary. There are no words that can describe how cold that water was. When I hit the water it felt like somebody had punched me in the stomach, it was so hard to breathe and my whole body went numb. After I finished I have never been so proud of myself. I didn’t think I was mentally tough enough to do something like that, and I love it when I prove myself wrong. Pageant girls aren’t just prissy we can do tough things too. By the way the Miss USA pageant is on Friday…GOOD LUCK LAUREN (Miss Virginia)!!!

We are all getting testy on the RV. Its hard to live in such a small environment even when you love everybody you live with. We are like one big family…so we are always going to have good times and bad. I tried to remain positive this week, although its getting harder and harder to stay strong. Dan is going into the pit this week and that makes me sad. He is such a great guy and I don’t want this experience to end for him! Send him good luck and well wishes and hopefully we will be picking him up after the pit! Thank you all for your continuous love and support!

God Bless,
ToRi

Susie Meister – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

THE NUDE, THE PROUD, THE MARINES!

You guys are the best fans a girl could ask for! I can’t believe I ended that sentence with a preposition and I can’t believe you guys voted me back. I am so proud of you guys for (sort of) understanding my strategy and putting up with me allowing Angel on the RV. I’m sure in real life she’s actually quite nice, but sometimes these circumstances can bring out the worst in people. She was not welcomed on the RV and as a result she sort of imploded.

All I know is that regardless of how much you did or didn’t like her, I’m glad to take her place. It was so wonderful to return to my home and get refreshed, but it’s time to buck up, get serious, and start getting ready for the home stretch of this experience.

I think David is just want the RV needed: comedic relief. Anybody that gets picked up for Road Rules completely nude is hilarious. I know his antics might start to get old, but in the meantime, boy is he good for a hearty laugh.
The laugh via nudity was sort of the end of the fun for me this week. I can honestly say that our first day of Marine training was one of the top ten worst days of my life. I had flown overnight to get to the Pit, so I am on East Coast time, and then I had to battle it out hardcore in the Pit, which was completely draining. Incidentally, if I am not able to procreate due the internal injuries sustained during that Pit I will be hunting down Drew and taking his first born. Then we left immediately for a seven hour drive to the Marine mission. I got five hours of sleep and then had to do the rigorous training—in thin air due to high elevation, so I was exhausted. BOO-HOO, right? I know, I’m a big baby, but I was TI-RED.

Okay, blah blah. Luckily, we won (no thanks to me, I admit it!). We banked $10,000, and hopefully, we’re back on the winning bandwagon. I love David. He’s a sweet little teddy bear (okay, not that little, but you know what I mean). He has been kind and wonderful, and an amazing asset in the mission. I don’t know what will happen when his immunity runs out, but whether he goes into the Pit or not, I have a funny feeling he is going to be here for a while (and possibly until the end—and winning the big money).

We’re all sort of hitting the wall, getting crabby in the RV, and sloppy in the missions, but I’m hoping to get my second wind. In some ways, going home made it worse because I realized how wonderful my life is. It is a difficult life on the RV, but not without its rewards. Thank you thank you thank you a million times for voting me back in. If I win the Mazda, I will give each of you a joyride as a token of my appreciation!!!

Kisses from the RV!!!

David Leech – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

“Who is your daddy, and what does he do?”

I cannot believe I finally got here. My first pit battle was intense, and I think it was the most physical pit so far. Shane and Angel made Susie and me work for every inch. It was good to know Shane was happy for me. He knows I will take this experience and appreciate it to the fullest. The RV pick up was classic. I was a little worried how the RV was going to react to me coming on. They have been a close team, and Shane played a big part in that. So I didn’t know if they would be angry or disappointed when they pulled up and seen me. But I was worried for nothing. They all made me feel real comfortable, even though I was naked. I was so glad to see Dan and Tori. I was happy to actually talk to Kina and Adam not as competition, but as teammates. The first 10 minutes I just sat on the RV and looked around. I kept trying to convince myself I was finally here. I went from sitting in my basement the night before playing X-box, to standing naked on the side of a California highway watching the Road Rules RV pull up to me. It was a lot to take in. I have stayed very patience, I waited and waited, and I finally got my one shot and capitalized on it. I am just so happy to be here. Thanks for everyone that voted and gave me the shot to become a road ruler! Thank you! I will never takes this experience for granted, because the only reason I got here is because of you guys! Okay, so about the mission. WOW. I just look back at it now, and can’t believe we pulled it off. We all went into this mission unsure of what was going to happen. I mean Dan kind of gave us the hint that this would be hard, but we had no idea. The hardest part to me was skiing. Up until this mission I had never picked up skis in my life, and to see everyone else pick it up so quickly was very frustrating to me. Especially because it was my first mission, and I didn’t want to screw it up. My team stayed behind me, and we got through it! Besides my skiing ability, I thought we did great. I am proud of everyone. I’m just happy we won my first mission. There was so much that happened over the past three days it would take 10 blogs to write it all out. I had a great first mission, and I will remember it for the rest of my life. Adam is great at skiing by the way. Dan made me laugh harder this week that anyone ever has in my entire life. Dan really helped bring out my personality fast. Everyone on the RV can tell me and Dan are close. We are the Missouri boys. I love that guy, and whatever happens in the pit was meant to be. I am just glad this week is done and over. I hope everyone feels comfortable with me. I’m here to have fun and maybe win some money. I don’t want to leave this show with enemies. I want to soak up this experience and live it up, because one trip to the pit can take it all away. I hope everyone in the pit crew gets to experience the RV. I have faith that they will. Adam, Kina, Susie, Dan, and Tori, thank you for making my first week on the RV as special as it was. I loved every minute of it. Adam and Dan made me laugh non-stop. And as long as Adam, Dan, and me are on the RV I can assure some very disturbing footage in the new future. I love it here, and I don’t want to leave. My first week is here and gone. I loved it. To every single person that voted for me, thanks again. You made this Kansas City boy the luckiest mothe%& alive. I love making people on the RV laugh. So I feel I have to close out my first blog as a road ruler like this. It wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t. So here it goes .. Adam and Dan, I have one question. “Who is your Daddy, and what does he do.” Thanks guys for an amazing week.

– David L.

Shane Landrum – Week 8 Blog (3/22/07)

A WEEKS WORTH OF THOUGHTS.

Well, some of this blog was a long time coming. To get started, I want to address Tori and her lies concerning me. Personally, I was shocked when I saw the episode were she wished me home. Shocked because I love her and her reasons for wishing me “gone” were pure lies. I never once made a joke of her being fat or ugly, believe me, growing up in my family I can smell crazy from a mile away, and you don’t ever piss off a crazy person, especially about the stuff you KNOW they are crazy about. However, I did not feel like bringing up the fact that she has a flair for being a dramatic exaggerator except that she has now in THREE different interviews (those talking into the camera moments you see) wished me home and I’m getting a little tired of it.

Second, YOU’RE SKINNY!!!! Who cares if I made a joke about you being fat, only a lunatic with your everything could possibly be upset about being called ugly, fat or a lesbian. When, as a group, we discussed the whole scenario it seriously was so ludicrous that we all laughed about the ridiculousness of it, except you. When I asked for an example of me calling you fat or ugly, you had no memory of “specifics.” Well, that’s pretty convenient. As for the lesbian comment, I’m sorry you took it as a put down, but you could only be so lucky.

Honestly the whole situation about calling names really means nothing to me. However, watching someone I care for REPEATEDLY trash me on not one, but two shows, and then tell me as an apology, “Its just for television” and giggle like I don’t get it, I start to get a little pissed. Believe me, there’s a lot of TV moments I’ve held back because I didn’t feel like calling you, Tori, out on bull that’s REAL, as opposed to your made up crap. Sad to say, but I’m starting to see a lot of where Ivory is coming from when it concerns you.

Moving on, can we please talk about Angel calling the group of us on the RV hypocrites?!? At the time I heard it, I thought, don’t say anything, this poor girl has had a rough enough week as is. Well, forget that. I have to point out the irony that the raging Angel that walked onto the RV was all for voting off the weakest link when she was immune but the week that she wasn’t she was all gung ho for the volunteer system. And then she says, “I wish they had proven to me why the volunteer system works.” Umm, we did, it was your system that got you sent into the PIT, not the volunteer system.

We tried to tell you for DAYS about how voting sucks and it never comes down to straight performance but more ephemeral reasons and you just stuck your little heels in and kept with it. I mean, damn, god forbid I decide that being absolutely untrustworthy counts for more that getting close when throwing a ball from a human slingshot. Also, you clearly aren’t trustworthy, HELLO, not only did I experience our PIT but I saw it!!! You can’t throw around the words, “I might throw a mission,” or “Why should I help him ” and have everyone around you think you are trustworthy. I mean, seriously, am I on crazy pills for not trusting you?!? I really feel that you expect a lot out of people without giving it. With all that said, I do respect you and your strength in this game. I only hope that you truly did not throw our PIT because I want to keep liking you.

Okay, enough of two weeks ago. This week’s mission was cool. I just want all the viewers to know that I am dieing to get back on the RV so please vote me in, over and over and over again. Second, I’m really happy David was on the RV; I could tell he appreciated it. I just wish I could have been there to watch it go down live.

XOXO
Shane

Angel Turlington – Week 8 Blog (3/21/07)

To all the viewers who support me …

To all the viewers who support me I want to give a big THANK YOU to you all. Please keep the support and votes coming! I definitely want to compete in the next girl pit. I am a fighter and I do not plan to ever give up.

What happened to the volunteer system last week? Well the Roadies have multiple explanations as to why they abandoned the volunteer system to vote me in, but I am here to clear it up for everyone. I was voted to the pit because the Roadies decided to abandon their volunteer system and not vote fair. And by fair I mean, we should have looked at the most recent mission and decided who was the weakest link. Oh and by the way, it is clear that I was not the weakest link in the Beach Blast mission. That is my opinion on how the voting should go. Oh and it is ok to have an opinion of your own even if it does go against what other people may think. Having your own opinion does not make you a disagreeable person it makes you your own person.

The highlights of this episode were David showing up naked to meet the Roadies and the team banking another $10,000. I was impressed that the team was able to come together and complete the mission since there were only five people participating instead of six. If you watched the show then you know exactly what I am referring to. I guess the volunteer system is back in full effect, well, at least for this week. It is Dan’s turn to go to the pit and all I can say is may the best man win.