As ABC starts this new reality series, I first have to give credit where credit is due. I'm a fan of Reality TV, as I'm sure you are, considering you are reading this recap. I have to compliment ABC on starting another reality show that has a positive impact on people's lives. Sure we all enjoy the shows that are created strictly for entertainment value, but its commendable for ABC to do shows like this one, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where people that deserve a life transformation receive something that will affect them in a positive way. I hope "The Scholar" does just that. Let's see how I feel after this premiere episode.
As the show begins, we see an introduction to the show. It explains that 10 high school seniors from around the country have been chosen based on their high academic credentials, but inability to fund a college career.
They will live together at the University of Southern California and compete on teams in several challenges that will test their mental capabilities. All the while, they will be judged by the "scholarship committee" that is made up of three real college admissions officers. The student at the end that prevails will win a $250,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice. Pretty sweet deal!
The show starts off almost as a premiere episode of "The Real World", showing the students arriving at "the scholarship residence" in taxis. The first student we meet is Scot who has been home-schooled his whole life. He says that he's not really used to having classmates. Sounds like the obligatory "small-town virgin" that is cast on every season of The Real World. Next we meet Max, the "bad boy" from Oakland California, who talks about the drugs and violence of his hometown, and how he wants to break the mold. Again, sounds like another Real World persona. Wait… this show is produced by Bunim/Murray, isn't it??? Hmmm…
Max walks into the house to find Liz, a cute blonde girl described in her byline as being a "math prodigy". Next to enter the house is Amari, who I get good vibes from already. She seems like a girl who will keep the house fun. Next, up is Gerald, who is his high school's mascot… and Jeremy who's a member of the academic decathlon.
We then see a girl by the name of Melissa being driven to the scholar house by her mom (she's from Tarzana, CA… so not too far). We learn that Melissa was diagnosed with scoliosis as a child. Her mom tells us about a surgery she had to have her spine realigned, and since then Melissa hasn't let anything get in her way. ABC is already playing the emotional vote with us on this girl. Even her byline says "produces charity events". Let's just give her the scholarship now!
Back at the house we see Milana arrive. Her byline says she's a "stem cell research assistant". At her age!?! Impressive! She says she wants to be a "bilingual scientist" and find a cure for cancer. Next out of her taxi is Alyssa, who is described as a "poetry silver cup winner". I'm assuming that's really good. I'm not familiar with poetry contests.
As the students enter the house, one more student is on their way. We see Davis walking down the street in his sunglasses and sports coat, talking about how he is the "the most practically smart person that I know". His byline says he's a "political activist". He goes on to say "if I want to win at something, I will". He's gonna cause some scandal in the house. I can just feel it. Home-schooled Scot says "from the minute I met Davis, I knew we weren't going to get along". What'd I tell ya!??
Now that all the students have arrived, we see them walk as a group on to the USC campus. They head into the library (with some studious-like music playing in the background) where they find themselves at podiums with buzzers. I smell competition number one coming on!
Here we meet Rob Nelson, who seems to be the host of our show. He's a doctor in the school of law at USC. He introduces the competition, saying they are the "brightest students in America" but explains to them that by entering this competition, their slates are wiped clean. Only what they do in the competition will determine who wins (not on any prior stuff, like GPA or SAT score). Rob explains that the show will not only test the students' intelligence, but also their character, leadership abilities, and creativity.
Rob then introduces the "scholarship committee" who will determine who gets eliminated, and essentially who will win the full-ride scholarship. The committee is: Marquesa Lawrence from UC Berkley Admissions, Shawn Abbott who is described as "Ivy League Admissions" (does he work for more than one? I'm confused again…), and finally Peter Johnson, also "Ivy League Admissions". Maybe they couldn't disclose which school they are admissions officers for? I wonder why not, if that's the case.
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