The Rebel Billionaire
Branson's Challenge:
Watch the Show BEFORE You Make Comparisons
By Eleanor Meilinger
November 9, 2004
Tonight at 8pm on Fox Network the much anticipated 2-hour premiere of "Rebel Billionaire-Richard Branson's Quest for the Best" will air. After that we will know if this show was indeed a copy of its predecessors, most notably "The Apprentice" and "The Amazing Race" or if it indeed manages to plow virgin territory. All Sir Richard Branson asks is that you set your pre-conceived notions aside for the duration and view the series on its own merits.
The series has attracted many critics before the first episode has even aired and they come from many diverse sources. Of course most television reviewers are clinging to the fact that the show is a "rip-off" of Donald Trump's show but it's time to get past the fact that most shows being produced these days are a rip-off of something else.
Regardless of what format a new series chooses to follow it eventually has to stand on its own merit or it is doomed to failure. Just look at "The Benefactor". When asked about his so-called rival, Trump, Richard Branson just laughs -especially since everyone seems to feel the need to note that he has better hair.
The business community in the U.K. is condemning Branson for feeding his ego with a vanity project. They feel the unconventional entrepreneur has neglected his duties as head of The Virgin Groups in order to indulge a whim and by offering his "job" in addition to the million-dollar prize; he is making a mockery of the enormous enterprise, which he sits at the helm. When asked by the New York Times why he would take on such a seemingly frivolous project Branson answered " If 'Rebel Billionaire' is a success, Virgin will be almost as well know in America as it is in England."
What Branson brings to this project is his unique, fun-loving, daredevil image. He is truly engaging. On a local Fox newscast this morning he admits that his knees turned to jelly and he was reluctant to "take the plunge" as they showed a clip from one of the future stunts that involves one contestant hanging over Victoria Falls while another person (in this case Branson) jumps into their arms. If the "hangee" fails to catch the "jumper" they will fall 350 feet - and Branson does! While viewing the tape you can see the joy he brought back from the experience. This is what he wants to share with his contestant's -and the audience. He has always maintained, "Business should be fun." He obviously feels that so should reality TV. Unfortunately that is becoming less and less the case.
Imitation was once considered the sincerest form of flattery. If Richard Branson has managed to incorporate some of the best aspects of formerly successful formats and assemble a captivating team of players, why not give him the benefit of the doubt?
We LOVE "The Amazing Race". With the global challenges and Branson himself putting it all on the line right alongside those competing for top honors this could be the perfect Tuesday night partner once AR6 returns next week. Tuesdays are looking PRIME once again!
I am going to come clean at the outset - you can expect my recaps and reviews of "Rebel Billionaire" to be a bit biased. I have been a big Branson fan for many years, since I "helped" a friend out with a term paper that followed his unique business philosophy that led to the success of many of the enterprises that bear the "Virgin" mantle. I always claimed that I'd be working for him when I "grew up" (though at 44 I'm still in the process!) I fly Virgin Atlantic for fun - literally - I have had my greatest flying experiences on the airline and usually return gushing about the flight experience more than the destination. Ten years ago I would have been first in line to apply for this show, now the closest I can get is armchair quarterback. I have big expectations for tonight's premiere and don't think I'll be disappointed, except for "Virgin Cola" Richard Branson hasn't let me down yet!
Perhaps with the arrival of "Rebel" we will all regain a sense of adventure. I know I already signed up for Virgin Galactic flight, right along with William Shatner. Now I have a couple years to come up with the $190,000 space fare. Unless I can get that job as space hostess…
Eleanor Meilinger writes for RTVC in an attempt to avoid doing any real work. Now that her daughters, Amanda and Melanie have joined her in this project they are starting to catch on! She may just have to finish that screenplay…
She can be reached at ifyouaskme@msn.com
They Were Cast - Why Not You?
Reality TV Calendar will send you the latest casting calls as soon as they are released. Calls are often short notice with short deadlines. You need to make contact immediately. You can't do that unless you have immediate notification of the call. One Time Payment, Only $7.95.
Click For More Information.
