Long time no post
Hello everyone-
I saw there were a few comments for me to post some new batg news. So here I go...
There's no more beauty and the geek. After the 5th season, the ratings had plummetted and the format was a bit tired. The variations on the team pairings and the twists were not very well received by the viewers, so far as I could tell. I enjoyed it because it kept things interesting, but part of the original intention of geeks learning from beauties was (some would argue) lost along the way. I personally felt the casting was responsible for the degradation of the show. The show went from 14 people having no idea what they were getting into on season one to 16 people who genuinely cared for each other in season two. But alas our season was too friendly and cordial that the producers opted to seek more competitive/cutthroat types. That's not to say that all of the people were like that, but it particularly stood out with some of the females on the show. A few from each season. The cast strippers, escorts, playmates, moms, etc. for the following seasons, which turned beauty and the geek into just another vh1 reality show. I should mention that I have no problem with moms being on the show and I'm told some of them were the coolest girls on there, but it is weird thinking about virgin geeks getting advice from hot moms. Maybe that's the direction the show needs to go? I should disclose that I am friends with many of the people from these seasons and I can tell you they are awesome people. There were just a few rotten eggs that in my opinion ruined the spirit of the show, much more so than any format changes.
You can read about the end of the show online. They'll probably have more answers for you than I do. I know the show aired internationally as well. I got messages from people watching our season as well as geeks from other international versions. Some day they may bring it back when it's had more time to become novelty again or they redevelop the format. So you know typically these shows do 5 season contracts when starting, so to re-up with a new one would have been very costly. [insert funny comment about Ashton needing the money to feed his family here]. But it was a great experience and I'm really glad that I got to be a part of it while it lasted. I made some great friends along the way from all of the seasons. I guess I could recap who I talk to and where they are now kinda deal:
I saw there were a few comments for me to post some new batg news. So here I go...
There's no more beauty and the geek. After the 5th season, the ratings had plummetted and the format was a bit tired. The variations on the team pairings and the twists were not very well received by the viewers, so far as I could tell. I enjoyed it because it kept things interesting, but part of the original intention of geeks learning from beauties was (some would argue) lost along the way. I personally felt the casting was responsible for the degradation of the show. The show went from 14 people having no idea what they were getting into on season one to 16 people who genuinely cared for each other in season two. But alas our season was too friendly and cordial that the producers opted to seek more competitive/cutthroat types. That's not to say that all of the people were like that, but it particularly stood out with some of the females on the show. A few from each season. The cast strippers, escorts, playmates, moms, etc. for the following seasons, which turned beauty and the geek into just another vh1 reality show. I should mention that I have no problem with moms being on the show and I'm told some of them were the coolest girls on there, but it is weird thinking about virgin geeks getting advice from hot moms. Maybe that's the direction the show needs to go? I should disclose that I am friends with many of the people from these seasons and I can tell you they are awesome people. There were just a few rotten eggs that in my opinion ruined the spirit of the show, much more so than any format changes.
You can read about the end of the show online. They'll probably have more answers for you than I do. I know the show aired internationally as well. I got messages from people watching our season as well as geeks from other international versions. Some day they may bring it back when it's had more time to become novelty again or they redevelop the format. So you know typically these shows do 5 season contracts when starting, so to re-up with a new one would have been very costly. [insert funny comment about Ashton needing the money to feed his family here]. But it was a great experience and I'm really glad that I got to be a part of it while it lasted. I made some great friends along the way from all of the seasons. I guess I could recap who I talk to and where they are now kinda deal:
- I still live with Karl from my season.
- I had lunch with Cowboy Joe, Matt (season 5) and Dave (season 4 winner) not too long ago here in Los Angeles. They are some really funny characters. I played this awesome board game called 'shadows over camelot' with some of the guys. It's gotta be the geekiest game I've ever played. It's a collaborative game where you fight the evil forces attempting to take over camelot.
- I talk to Brittany and Danielle from my season regularly. Danielle came to visit Karl and me in LA a few weeks ago. Said it was the best vacation of her life. Who would have thought geeks could show a beauty the best vacation of her life?
- I met up with Tristin, Brit and Danielle when I was in Chicago last. Tristin is doing well. Married and working in the medical industry.
- I talked to Sarah from season 2 as well. She graduated from school as a dental assistant I believe. Don't quote me.
- I see Wes and Chris from my season regularly. They're doing well out here in LA.
- I visited Nadia from season 3 the other day at work. She's doing well here in LA.
- I've been playing phone tag with Cara from season 5. She seems super sweet but I've never met her, only talked to briefly.
- I talked to Tyson online earlier today. He's doing well in NYC as a trader.
- I occasionally speak with Amanda just to see what's new with her. She's doing well back in Chicago.
- I talked online with a few of the guys from season 5 including Jason and Jonathon.
- I talked to Ankur a bit in the past but haven't heard from him lately. I wonder what he's doing now... blowing stuff up or creating robots to take over the world?
- I talked to Dave from season 4 online sometimes. He's a cool dude.
- Nicole is moving to LA. I talked to her a little. Hopefully she'll come hang when she's in town.
Sorry if I missed anyone. I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting, so just ask and I'll tell you if I know them or met them or talked to them. Honestly, all of the people that I've met are friggin awesome. I hope someday we can do a season-wide reunion. We were the only season not to get one, which sucked. Their loss. We would have killed on the ratings. I heard season 4 had a mini-reunion in Chicago. It stinks that I missed it, but I'm not going to trade in the LA weather any time soon.
Maybe I'll post an update on myself here one of these days. That's the latest for batg. Thanks for reading.
posted by Joe Block at 4:32 PM
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