Shows protect contestants from each other

Wondering about how a certain reality show pulled something off? Have a question about a certain contestant?

Whether it's “Survivor,” “American Idol,” “The Apprentice,” “Real World” or another show, send in your questions. Andy Dehnart, msnbc.com's Television Editor and creator of Reality Blurred, will try to answer them.

Q: There (was) a pretty scary fight on myNetworkTV's "Paradise Hotel" (episode 2). How do shows protect their contestants in situations like that? — Roger W. Los Angeles, Calif.

A: In the case of "Paradise Hotel" and many other shows, the answer is on-site security. Richard Hall, one of "Paradise Hotel's" executive producers, told me that "there's actually a seventh bedroom on "Paradise Hotel" that no one ever sees, and living on the premises 24/7 is a guy with extensive security training as well as some paramedic training."

That security person is "there at all times" and "on the radio" with producers who watch the cast via monitors, and Hall notes that security's "response time to that fight was under a minute." During that episode, a poolside conversation turned into a near fight. Raheim exploded after James referred to Raheim by using the word "ghetto" and a reference to Raheim's race.

While the fight calmed down by the time security arrived (off-camera), there was actually an off-camera consequence for those involved. "We won't discuss what we do, but we did do something," Hall said. "There are things in their contracts that allow us to take various steps if we feel someone's behavior is not appropriate for the program or counterproductive to each others' safety," and that includes "anything from a fine to being kicked off the show."

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As to other crew members' involvement, Hall said they "really discourage camera (crew members)from getting involved," and that "it's up to a management-level producer who has the primary relationship" with the cast "if they want to get involved as well. It's up to them."

Hall added that the cast's "health, safety and well being is our responsibility, especially in regards to each other."

How does providing free alcohol fit in with that? After all, "Paradise Hotel," a favorite cult series that just returned for its second season on both myNetworkTV and Fox Reality is about little more than drinking, partying and hooking up, and the cast members live at a hotel where the bar always seems to be open.

However, it is not. Hall told me that while alcohol "is free, it is not available all the time. It's at the discretion of production management to instruct the bartender a) when bar is going to be open, and b) what sort of drinks (are offered). If people are getting too heavy into tequila, we just cut it off.

Sometimes we shut (the bar) down for a day to send a message to the cast to moderate their drinking," he said. Producers "have always had to control alcohol because if it was just always available, that would be counterproductive to the show as well." 

Q: We were pleasantly surprised that "Kid Nation" really turned out to be a good show. Will there be another season? And what happened with the lawsuits against the producers by some parents? — Bruce B., San Diego, Calif.

A: Alas, it does not look good for "Kid Nation," which aired last fall to so-so ratings and has yet to be renewed. I found the series equally compelling, and most of the pre-show controversy — which centered on the show's contract and reports that some kids were hurt because they were unsupervised — went away quickly once it became clear how much of a role the producers played in the kids' lives, never mind the fact that there was a constant adult presence in the form of camera operators and other crew.

While CBS has already cast for "Kid Nation 2" to be prepared to go forward with a second season, there has been no formal announcement of its renewal. That means that it technically could return, but right now, it doesn't look good. After CBS announced its renewals for next TV season, Newsday critic Verne Gay asked the network about it and got a noncommittal answer, prompting him to declare, "'Kid Nation' is dead."

As to the controversy, there were actually no lawsuits against the show. Instead, the New Mexico attorney general was investigating after receiving reports of possible child-labor law violations.

That office dropped the matter in November not because they couldn't find any evidence, but because there was no formal complaint. "It has been determined that absent any formal complaints to this office or request for investigation by any state agency, the attorney general's office will not pursue any further inquiry into the 'Kid Nation' production in New Mexico," a statement said.

Q: Why does it seem lately that everyone on "Survivor" looks like a model? I realize that they're more aesthetically pleasing, but it also looks fake, like they aren't "real" people. Are they made-up beauty contestants, or in fact real people? — Tricia F.

A: I'm not friends with any models, nor do I recall ever having met a professional model, but I'm guessing they, too, are real people. But I understand your question, although I'm not sure I agree that "everyone" is model-worthy.

Look at the cast of this current season, "Survivor: Micronesia."

People such as Jonny Fairplay, Yau-Man, Cirie, Chet, Erik, Joel and Kathy don't exactly fit our society's (admittedly screwed up and practically unattainable) standards of beauty by which models are made. They're not ugly or even unattractive, they're just not models, high-fashion, commercial, or otherwise.

That said, "Survivor" does have many beautiful people, and that makes sense. For one, the show is on television, and aesthetic appeal is important. In addition, as we discussed last fall, the show has shifted to recruiting contestants because there's such a shallow pool of people who apply.

If casting producers are going out to find people, they're going to look for people who will make the best possible television: strong personalities, diverse backgrounds and beautiful bodies that will look good in bathing suits.

Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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