In the fourth episode of Solitary 3.0, we joined the guests in the middle of the nasty smells and tastes treatment.

[Photo: © 2009 FOX Reality Network]

The guests had been forced to smell many nasty smells and then they had to start drinking shots of the horrible liquids. The first awful liquid to be drunk was the essence of horseradish. Number 5 didn’t do it at first and got a penalty round where she had to drink two. Before her fate was determined, #2 pushed the red button. When she somehow managed to get both shots down, #2 was told that he was the first to quit and was eliminated. This was a real shocker since he had been winning most of the tests.

Next, the remaining people were told to drink a shot of essence of cow intestines. Number 5 didn’t drink hers and decided that someone else must have already quit so she hit the red button. Then Val stopped the treatment.

At this point, they were all given a wheelchair to sit in and there was a string of letters that circled the entire room. They would have to stay in the wheelchair and figure out where the paragraph began. Then they had to memorize it and after they hit the green button to let Val know they were ready to recite it, they had to first turn around three times in the wheelchair.

Here’s what the paragraph said:

I always knew deep down that I could never survive this hellish madness I am a complete idiot who is incapable of ever succeeding in this place and now all that I can see is a huge red button calling my number believe me I am about to crack

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In the third episode of Solitary 3.0, we joined the guests in the middle of the flesh pins treatment. They had put 14 flesh pins on themselves when #1 hit the red button. But of course, Val didn’t tell the others that someone had already quit. The rest were left to continue to put the clips on themselves and to endure the pain.

No one else quit until after they had all 40 clips on them. Then #3 was the next to hit the red button. But Val wasn’t done with them yet. They were instructed to open their food doors where there were 8 more clips for them to put on their faces!!!

After considering it, #5 hit the red button and quit. The contestants continued to clip the flesh pins to their face and ears until they had used all 8, and after a while, Val told them it was over. They had clips on for over 2 hours. We were told that taking them off hurts more than having them on. OMG!!

Next, the guests were presented with 16 cups of root beer and a cup in the middle. They were told they would be playing root beer pong. They had to throw a ping pong ball into a cup before they could drink it, then into the center cup and drink that. They were competing to get an advantage in the next treatment.

Number 5 decided that she would let the other “puke themselves out” and she would wait for the other challenges. Not a bad strategy. It was #7 who came in first, but then he threw up.

Val told them that they were to get gifts, based on the order they finished the root beer pong challenge. They would choose one at a time and each person would either take the gift from someone else or take an unknown gift from their meal slot. These were the gifts they were given:

• 5 - Three Donuts
• 3 - Cheesecake
• 8 - One Extra Hour of Sleep
• 9 - Lose One Hour of Sleep
• 4 - Take the Hour of Sleep from 8
• 8 - 30 minutes on a Bicycle Seat
• 2 -take the Donuts from 5
• 5 - Wine & Cheese Plate
• 7 - Take the Hour of Sleep from 4
• 4 - Five Mouse Traps, plus 8 gave him the 30 Minutes on the Bicycle

Next, the guests were presented with big blocks of various kinds of cheese. There was also a bucket full of mousetraps. Val told them that to win the test, they would have to arrange seven letters to form a specific word. The letters were hidden inside the blocks of cheese. To search for each letter, they must first set 10 mousetraps, for an ultimate total of 70 traps. Any traps that would get set off would have to be re-set before moving on. Pod 4 got a permanent head start of 5 mousetraps from the previous exercise.
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In the second episode of Solitary 3.0, we join the competitors in the middle of the treatment. Three of the people have already quit by pushing the red button, but the rest continued the painful challenge because they were unaware that anyone had already quit. (Val is so cruel that way…)

#1 quit first, then #5 quit after about an hour, and Val told them to stop finally after 1 hour and 25 minutes. Yikes! Sitting on that tiny stool for that long had to hurt so much!! Then Val told them to sit on a stool of spikes, and they were ready to do it…but before they started, she told them the treatment was over.

Since the contestants had been kept awake for over 40 hours in their pods, Val finally told them they could sleep. But Val only let them sleep for 30 minutes.

Then the guests that were not already given phone calls from home were given one. It gave them all a big recharge and helped them get their spirits back up.

After the calls were ended, Val had them all strip down to their underwear and she swapped them with other guests. So everyone was wearing clothes that didn’t fit them at all. It was just another way to break them down.

In the next test, the guests were to put weights marked with the actual weight of one of the other test subjects. They were told to put the weights into the position for the pod number for the correct person. There were over 40,000 possible solutions and they went on for 1 hour and 15 minutes before Val started to let them know how many they had correct each time.

After more then two hours, #2 and #1 got it correct. But #2 finished a few seconds before #1 so he won.

The next test was a huge bowl of white rice and a pair of chopsticks. They were all told to use only the chopsticks to find and pick out one orange grain of rice from the bowl. #2 completed the task first so he won a reward of food. He got to eat teriyaki chicken and rice while all the others went through the next treatment.

The guests were presented with a mannequin with 40 flesh pins placed in strategic places. Since #2 won the challenge, he was allowed to give two extra pins to someone. He gave them to #9 and told him that he was to put them on his nipples because he hates old people. (Number 2 runs a senior living home.)

[Photo: CR: Michael Becker / FOX REALITY CHANNEL]

They were instructed to put one on themselves at a time in the same places. The strategy came when they decided which clips to use in what order. Number 9 said that none of the clips hurt him because he had been “beat up a lot in the S&M Sideshow“… After fourteen clips, #1 quit by pushing the red button. She was eliminated.

I was surprised that #1 was the first to quit. I expected it to be one of the others first. It’s a very cruel treatment indeed… But I’m very impressed with #2, since he’s won three challenges in a row.

How do you like the third season of Solitary? Who do you think will go home next? Who is your favorite so far?

In the season premiere of Solitary 3.0, Val did something revolutionary for the show. Never before had any of the pod people been allowed to see any of the other people during the season. But this time, They started in pairs in the pods. So there were 5 teams of two.

Val told them that for the first challenge, they wouldn’t be competing against each other, but would be allies. They had to go around and around the pod on a rock floor in timed intervals in an attempt to make the most laps in the alloted times. After a very long time and some extremely painful feet, it came down to the pair, J and Jennifer who had the worst times. They were told that now they would compete against each other for the final pod.

[Photo: CR: Michael Becker / FOX REALITY CHANNEL]

They went into a special pod and were chained to the celing. They had to try to open padlocks faster than each other and the fastest would attach that lock to the arm of the other contestant. J smoked Jennifer and she finally pushed the red button to say that she was ready to leave. So the nine pods went to the competitors like this:

• Andrew Sabat: #7
• Ceon Murray: #2
• Dirrick “Trizz” Fretz: #6
• Jennifer Korbin: #1
• J Scott: #9
• Karrie McNeal: #8
• Katie Kaufman: #3
• Maureen Francisco: #5
• Robert “RobRob” Hakel: #4

Then Val decided to tell them some facts about the other guests. Of course, the facts were strange, so they had no real idea aobut the others at all. No one seemed impressed by the others at all. I think it’s funny when they form ideas about their fellow guests without any realtionship to who those people are. Isn’t this a great show?

After Val let the guests be alone in their pods for an extended period of time without any sleep, food or other contact, they all started to become a little nuts. After 24 hours, Val told them they would get their first food. It was some nasty looking bar and they all said it tasted awful.
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The third season of Solitary has begun. I know I’m twisted, but I love this show! I think it’s hilarious, even though the computer-voice Val tortures these poor people. I’m not proud of it….

This season, Val has some new twists in store of the pod people. It should be fascinating and I love it! Here’s an example of what the people will live in for days until the “experiment” is over.

[Photo: CR: Michael Becker / FOX REALITY CHANNEL]

If you think that’s not very much visual stimulation or room to move, you haven’t even begun to see the challenges of this show. And the ten people who have volunteered to let Val torture them in order to try to win the big bucks are either stupid, nuts, or very needy. Here they are:

Andrew Sabat, aka #7
Andrew Sabat (San Diego, CA) attends San Diego State University and is a student brand manager for Red Bull. He is fiercely competitive, but also finds pain intimidating. Will Andrew leave his pod?
[Photo: CR: Michael Becker / FOX REALITY CHANNEL]

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This time of the year, the prime-time shows go into a repeat pattern and a lot of reality shows wind down. It’s because people tend to be very caught up in the holidays and end of year activities and don’t watch TV as much. Yes, we just started a new season of Secret Millionaire and Top Chef 5, but not much else is happening in the world of reality TV for the next couple of weeks.

But not to worry, there’s a whole new batch of reality series heading our way and here’s the line-up that I have so far:

2008-2009 - Premiere Dates Announced:

• Intervention [A&E, Dec. 15 at 10, Mondays at 9]
• Momma’s Boys [NBC, Dec. 16 at 10, Mondays at 9 but 10 p.m. as of Jan. 5]
• Smile You’re Under Arrest [Fox Reality, Dec. 27, Saturdays at 7]
• Bromance [MTV, Dec. 29, Mondays at 9] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Countdown to the Crown [TLC, Jan. 2, Fridays at 10]
• Confessions of a Teen Idol [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 8] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Rock of Love Bus with Bret Michaels [VH1, Jan. 4, Sundays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Superstar Dancers of the World/Superstars of Dance [NBC, Sunday, Jan. 4 at 9, Mondays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• The Bachelor 13 [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 8]
• True Beauty [ABC, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10]
• DietTribe [Lifetime, Jan. 5, Mondays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Biggest Loser 6 [NBC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Homeland Security USA [ABC, Jan. 6, Tuesdays at 8]
• 13: Fear is Real [The CW, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Real World Brooklyn [MTV, Jan. 7, Wednesdays at 10] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• Tool Academy [VH1, Jan. 11, Sundays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• High School Reunion 5 [TV Land, Feb. 18, Wednesdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Greg Behrendt’s Wake-Up Call [SoapNet, Jan. 8, Thursdays at 11]
• American Idol 8 [Fox, Jan. 13, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8]
• I Love Money 2 [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 9] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke [VH1, Jan. 26, Mondays at 10] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Hell’s Kitchen 5 [Fox, Jan. 29, Thursdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Around the World for Free [WGN America, January]
• Chris & John to the Rescue! [Logo, January]
• Gone Country 3 [CMT, January 2009]
• Project Runway 6 [Lifetime, January 2009] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Exterminators [A&E, Feb. 4, Wednesdays at 10:30]
• Jockeys [Animal Planet, Feb. 6]
• Wingman [Fine Living, Feb. 10, Tuesdays at 9]
• Survivor 18 [CBS, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Millionaire Matchmaker [Bravo, Feb. 12, Thursdays at 10] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• The Amazing Race 14 [CBS, Feb. 15, Sundays at 8] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Celebrity Apprentice 2 [NBC, March 1, Sundays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Dancing with the Stars 8 [ABC, March 9, Mondays at 8, Tuesdays at 9] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Running in Heels [Style, March 2009]

2009 - Premiere Date TBD

• Blonde Charity Mafia [Lifetime]
• The City [MTV, first quarter 2009] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Cougar [TV Land, spring]
• Creature [Animal Planet]
• Dance Your Ass Off [Oxygen] - I’ll be covering this on DanceWatcher.com
• Ghost Hunters [Sci Fi]
• How’d You Get So Rich? [TV Land]
• Jingles [CBS]
• Untitled Larry Birkhead series [E!, 2009]
• Lock ‘N Load [Showtime, 2009]
• Make Me a Supermodel 2 [Bravo] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Make My Day [TV Land]
• The Phone [MTV] - watch for coverage at MTVRealityWorld.com
• The Real Housewives of New York City [Bravo] - watch for coverage on BravoFan.com
• RuPaul’s Drag Race [Logo]
• Shark Taggers [NBC]
• Solitary 3 [FOX Reality] - I’ll be covering this on RealityExploits.com
• Southern Belles [SoapNet]
• Swords [NBC, summer]
• Toddlers and Tiaras [TLC]
• Tough Love [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• Untitled Megan Houserman dating show - [VH1] - I’ll Cover this on VH1RealityWorld.com
• When Women Rule the World [FOX, future uncertain]

Keep coming back here for all the reality TV news!

Solitary 3.0 Now Casting!

One of the most offbeat, unusual reality competitions ever, FOX Reality’s Solitary 3.0 is looking for new victims, er, I mean cast members.

It’s one of my guilty little pleasures to watch the competitors in Solitary compete in the most extreme challenges each week and I’m thrilled that the show will be back for version 3.0. If you want to be a part of the fun, get to know Val up close and personal and compete for the grand prize of $50,000, be sure to follow these rules to enter:

• To be considered you must be over 18 years of age.
• All applicants will need to be available to shoot in the Los Angeles area in/around August 2008

You can find out more about how to apply here.
(Click on “Read More” for lots more great casting calls!)
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Congratulations to Phu Pham, aka #8 for winning Solitary 2.0. It was even more intense this season than last and the final “treatment” was totally brutal.

It came down to my personal fave, Tyler Tongate aka #7 and Phu to outlast each other in the hammock from hell treatment. The season finale of Solitary 2.0 is airing several more times this week on FOX Reality, so if you’ve missed it, you need to go watch. You’ve never seen determination like these two men displayed in the final treatment. I don’t want to spoil it for you.

Both endured incredible pain and agony and finally, Phu was victorious. Well done, Phu! So will you return to defend your title in Solitary 3.0?

Did you watch the season? What did you think? Who were you wanting to win? Leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Reality TV, TV, Television, Solitary, Solitary 2.0, Val, fox reality

Val is back to her old tricks this week. In episode one, we saw #1 and #4 leave Solitary. But this week’s episode showed the rest of the guests in Solitary continuing to stand on the metal pegs…for hours. They had no idea that the treatment was actually over and that #1 had quit first. They ended up staying with the treatment until they had been on the pegs for these times:

• #5: 1 hour, 37 minutes
• #6: 1 hour, 56 minutes
• #9: 2 hours, 18 minutes
• #3: 2 hours, 39 minutes
• #2 stayed on the pegs the longest with 2 hours, 46 minutes
• #8 did not have to participate and # 7 quit during episode 1.

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One of my favorite “guilty pleasures” is the series Solitary. FOX Reality’s Solitary is like watching medieval psychological testing in progress. I know it shouldn’t be so fascinating, but it is!

Nine people are locked in little pods, totally isolated from all other human contact. There’s only a computerized voice, “Val.” She tells them that they no longer have the names they came in with, they are now a number. Then, she instructs them to do all kinds of difficult and even painful things. They can quit at any time at all and they aren’t competing against each other as much as they compete with themselves.

Each of the guests in Solitary has to undergo a number of “treatments.” Let me tell you that none of the treatments are fun. They are sleep deprived, given only tasteless food bars to eat and only enough food & water to survive.

In the Solitary 2.0 premiere, the first thing the guests are instructed to do is to get inside a tiny box. Then, the heat is increased constantly and they are told to push a green button when they think it’s been 3 hours in the box. The person to push the button the closest to 3 hours is the winner and will be spared the first treatment.

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