The other night I rewatched "BATG" and "The Scholar" and realized that "The Scholar" has some lessons to teach other reality shows, especially ones like BATG (Ashton, are you listening? ) For those of you who haven't seen "The Scholar" (which, unfortunately, is the majority of the population) or read the postings or Cygnus' summary, the show has some very unique elements (at least I think they're unique since everything is still speculation at this point). But this is a show where everyone's a winner and no one is really eliminated in the "Survivor" or "Apprentice" sense (and the only reality shows I've ever seen all include eliminations).
"The Scholar" features 10 really bright high school seniors all vying for 5 places in a finale where one will win a $250,000 scholarship. The other four each win $50,000 and the five who don't make it to the finale all receive $20,000. But I think that all 10 will still be there at the end. By the last or next to last episode, 4 places will be taken and the other six will vie for the final spot. So no one eliminated and all 10 will be learning from each other and forming relationships for the entire time. This is especially true since it appears that the teams will be reshuffled each week. The five who don't make the finale and the four who don't win the ultimate scholarship will be there to console and support each other.
After watching "Scholar", I think that this is how shows like "Beauty and the Geek" and "Average Joe" should work. "Beauty" is called a "social experiment". It's based on friendship and growth and not romance. In fact, on last week's episode, I thought the most touching moment was between two of the guys. They're all teaching each other. So why send the couples home so early? Let them all stay until the end. Some of the guys were just getting comfortable with the opposite sex. Why stop the learning experience just as it's getting started? The same could be said of "Average Joe" since many of those guys got really close, only to have the friendships cut off as people were eliminated. I think that there would be a lot less humiliation factor if there weren't eliminations.
Why not make some of these reality shows about inclusion, rather than elimination? Many of these contestants are socially challenged, so why not give them as much opportunities for social growth as possible?
Of course, "The Scholar" is doing really poorly in the ratings, so my ideas may be completely counter to what reality programmers and most viewers want but in a perfect world, why not let people feel good about themselves as long as possible?

• RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,Cyndimaus, 02:05 PM, 06-13-05
  • RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,RealityMom, 02:13 PM, 06-13-05
    • RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,Cyndimaus, 05:24 PM, 06-13-05
• RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,Cygnus X1, 01:42 AM, 06-15-05
  • RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,RealityMom, 02:55 AM, 06-15-05
• RE: Beauty and the Geek and The Scholar: Combining the two into a really great one!,RealityMom, 12:45 PM, 07-07-05

I like your idea. I know that the eliminations make for "good" tv but there are so many shows with that aspect to it that it would be nice to see a few without it. I think it would make for some great viewing to see how relationships develop throughout the whole run of a show. I was thinking along your same lines with regards to BATG. Give the girls a chance to get out of "shallowville" and the guys a chance to break out their geek shell. I think it would bring a whole different level to the shows.

Thanks, Cyndi,
I keep thinking about Joe, especially. I think he was really starting to change. I would have loved for all four who've been eliminated to have had the chance to learn more from each other.

I was thinking the same thing. And I think that it's interesting that it's not just the guys who are learning from the experience, the girls are learning too. Guess we can dream about what it would be like if everyone stayed in the house for longer!

RM, I know I didn't mention it in my summary, but I agree that it's a good thing that the weekly elimination isn't a part of The Scholar. It's a pleasant departure from the usual reality formula.

Now if only the lousy production aspects of the show didn't get in the way of what really isn't a bad overall concept.

I have to catch my breath after the number and frequency of cuts on this show.