The Will: Episode 1
Even The Dogs Are At Each Others Throats
Recap by Teri Sue
January 9, 2005
To be totally honest, hearing the promos, I was skeptical of this RTV. It didn't take long at all into it to see that had there been no cameras, this is a group of family/friends who would probably be exactly like what was seen on TV as they would off screen. That means I was pleasantly surprised with this initial episode. I hope...please...that the following ones are of this same format.
There will always be part of RTV which are scripted. But, the "feel" to this one is that no script was needed and what was scripted was probably few and far between. Now to the Intro: I'll try to group them for your convenience and not in the order they were introduced.
The show is hosted by Tony Noakes.
Bill Long: Patriarch and self make millionaire. It is a part of his fortune which is up for grabs. Specifically his 56 acre mansion style ranch in Kansas. Of course, he has amassed many other valued assets, i.e. Arizona land developments, etc. so, it is this Kansas ranch the participants are grabbing for.
Penny: Bill's current & 4th wife. Basically Bill bankrolls her clothing shops, etc. She despises Billy, Bill's son. Might it be that she wants all of her husband's wealth? Penny has two small dogs with her in several scenes. Even the dogs are snipping and snapping at each other. Me thinks they are picking up on Penny's vibes.
Billy: Bill's son by his 3rd wife. Had their differences as father and son, but, seem to be getting their act together again. He knows Penny's extreme dislike of him and that she has been trying to undercut the relationship between him and his dad for years.
Josh: Bill's adopted son (taken in after his parents went astray). Seems level headed
Mickey: Bill's friend of 20 yrs. Can't stand Penny
Ashley: Penny's son and Bill's step son.
Bette: Penny's mom/Bill's mother-in-law. She's about the same age as Bill and comments her daughter needs the older age of John to manage.
Scott: Penny's brother/Bette's grandson
Kristin: Ashley's ex girlfriend. Says she's a mini Penny. Blonde hair, boobs, brown eyes.
Chrystal: Close family friend. Seems neutral
Danielle: Trusted employee.
Challenges: The winner of the challenge will be awarded a "ring" with a B on it which grants that person a "protected heir" status from the elimination round. Prior to each challenge, each participant will be given one minute with Bill to plead for "an advantage" which Bill grants to one person to give them some sort of an advantage starting each challenge.
Following the challenge and, winner announcement, there is an elimination.
Elimination Rounds Rules: Inheritance Chain. The winner chooses a person to stay, that person then chooses a person...so on and on until there is one left unchosen. Anyone remember the game "Red Rover". That's what came to my mind. Red rover, red rover, send so and so right over. Or, when teams were picked as kids and someone was left standing there with their little head hanging because they were not chosen. OK... you get the picture.
We get the pre challenge "look see" into each participant's personality and how they feel about the other players. Part of this was explained when I introduced the Participants in the Intro.
First Challenge
Everyone is told to meet outside. On their beds are ceramic piggy banks. They are to bring the banks with them.
Outside Host Tony tells the rules. They are to go to an area where a big safe is located. Each person must go to the bank and place one hand, palm down on the safe, ... at the same time holding the big piggy banks in their under hand, under their arm, however...they cannot lean on the safe and must keep one palm only on it, etc. The one who stays the longest becomes the Safe Heir for that round.
Several make mistakes, accidentally leaning on the safe, moving the hand etc. Billy thinks he is ok when he turns his hand over without taking it off the safe but he's out and figures he is a goner with Penny being the spear head of her family, her son's ex and the female employees. It's basically Billy, Josh and Mickey against the others in their minds. Once Billy and Mickey are eliminated, Josh holds on for dear life. It gets down to Josh, Penny and Ashley. At 9 plus hrs of endurance, deals are cut. If Josh will promise to keep Ashley, and, it has to be if Josh wins the next two eliminations. Josh says ok, then Ashley will drop out. Deal cut. Josh wants to ensure that Billy is not cut from the will so he cuts a deal with Penny. Penny promises to keep Billy for now. Josh wins.
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