The Benefactor: Episode 3
"Make Me Say WOW!"
Recap By C.C. McCandless
September 28, 2004
Last week's episode of The Benefactor involved a team challenge that sent a pair of contestants home. This time around, it's every man and woman for themselves. "This is a war with only a single survivor," Mark Cuban reminded everyone. He then proceeded to spring an intriguing and open-ended challenge on the players by tossing them each an envelope containing a cool thousand dollars in cash. They had that money and twelve hours to be a star. "Make me say 'wow," Cuban instructed. And off they went, in many different directions with varying degrees of success.
The players frantically began to put their individual plans in motion, with many opting for some form of business enterprise: Femia decided to start her own fashion line, Spencer sought out an air traffic control software patent, and two different players opted for websites.
Tiffaney and Dominic made a beeline for the other end of the spectrum, attempting to impress The Benefactor with outrageous selections-she set up a sky-diving adventure complete with a videotape, while Dominic pledged to live up to his "rock star" moniker by making an attempt to actually be a rock star. Great idea…aside from the fact that he can't play a lick. Back at the mansion, he and Spencer worked on their stuff in the same room. Because naturally, nothing goes together like software patents and rock music played badly. "You don't know how to play the guitar, do you?" Dominic asked.
Cuban was visibly fascinated about what ideas his players would come up with, and whether they would each step out of their individual comfort zones and partake of something personally challenging. "This is their chance to prove to me what's special about them," he said. "This is where I get to see who can talk the talk and who can walk the walk." Unfortunately for them, a few people did too much talking and not enough walking.
At 8 PM, everyone gathered to reveal what they had done. Kevin the Oprah fan delighted in watching everyone squirm, as he was confident about his idea. Tiffaney led off with her sky-diving video. Chris then showed that he had taken the day to practice his hockey skills with Dallas Stars head coach Dave Tippett. Latane followed by revealing that he had reserved an internet domain name about wanting to become a rock star-a ploy of which Dominic did not approve at all, clearly jealous of anyone trying to horn in on his singular rock star status. Cuban wasn't too impressed either, stating that it was pretty clear Latane was "looking for a gimmick," and he clearly was, complete with leather outfit and metal head wig.
Spencer's software presentation had the room yawning, and then Kevin followed by playing a song that he had written and performed. It, umm…wasn't the best, but Cuban was still impressed by the effort. Femia then showed off her designs, which looked like something out of a Mad Max movie. Now, I'm no fashion expert, but even Kevin, who is definitely the most flamboyant of the group, professed that he'd never wear them. It also warrants mentioning that the men's and women's tops looked almost identical.
Shawn then displayed a lame, cheap-looking children's book idea, comprised entirely of pithy rhymes about the game itself. She had mentioned something about getting it published, but the book she brought looked like something out of a bad grade school class. Christine, a dance teacher, elected to…take dance lessons. Okay. Way to stretch that comfort zone. Next came Linda, who had organized a charitable website despite her phobia of computers. She even needed Cuban's help to access the site on a laptop.
Finally, it was time for Dominic the wannabe rocker. He had spent his entire bankroll at the guitar store and yet he still managed to secure an entire band to play with him by dropping The Benefactor's name. Unfortunately, they couldn't drown out Dominic completely, as he busted out with some guitar "sounds" that sounded like a feral cat in heat being strangled. But as for the rock star vibe, he scored an "A" for effort, completing his brief set by smashing the axe and then diving into the pool. Folks, thus far Dominic is cruising through this game despite the fact that, as Chris astutely observed, "He's not doing it with extreme intelligence." Cuban announced that only six players would remain in the game, with the other four being cut.
Cuban went on to reveal the first five to advance: Femia, because "she took on a huge challenge," Spencer, who "was the intellectual star of the group," Kevin, since "everything he did was a challenge and was personal," Dominic, which Cuban called "the easiest pick to make," and Tiffaney…the sky diver. "I give Tiffaney a lot of points," he explained, "for doing something that scared the hell out of her." Cuban then announced that Christine, and Latane were done, as was the brutally annoying Shawn. "She just rubbed me the wrong way too many times," Cuban said, voicing the sentiments of millions of viewers. As for Chris and Linda? Their fate would be in the hands of the other five remaining players, as they would determine which one of the pair would advance. "Select wisely," Cuban instructed as they gathered to debate the choice. The Benefactor watched them deliberate, curious as to whether they would take this opportunity to "help a friend or squash a competitor." Femia made it clear that she saw Linda as her biggest competition and she wanted her gone.
But the others disagreed. Femia cast the only vote for Chris to stay, so off he went. He was clearly a physical threat and a strong competitor, so he wasn't surprised that he "got knifed" by some of his new friends. That's how it goes, people. We're down to six now, with bodies dropping faster than in "Kill Bill." And at this point, friendships and pleasantries are the least of anyone's worries as they each inch closer to a shot at a million bucks. As some parting words, Mark Cuban reminded everyone of just that point, saying "all that matters is the game."
C.C. McCandless is an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. He has a Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
You can contact C.C. here: ccmcc33@msn.com
