Why do reality shows recycle contestants?
Can't get enough Rob and Amber after her "Survivor All-Stars" win and his on-air proposal? They'll be back on "The Amazing Race."
Q: Why do some reality shows allow contestants to be on after they were already on another show? For example, Sam from ‘The Apprentice’ was on ‘Dog Eat Dog’; Allison from ‘Big Brother’ was on ‘The Amazing Race’ and Rob and Amber from Survivor are going to be on the next ‘Amazing Race.’ Haven’t those two won ENOUGH money? —Amy, Missouri
A: With the proliferation of reality television, the world has, apparently, run out of people willing to eat cow rectums, search for a life partner, or live in a house with strangers. How else could we explain the recurrence of familiar faces on “The Bachelor,” the appearances of personalities like Toni “Yahtzee!” Ferrari on multiple shows such as “Love Cruise” and “Paradise Hotel,” or even the existence of a series like “The Real World/Road Rules Challenge”? Viewers with good memories will notice people popping up all over the place, like current “Bachelorette 3” bachelor Jerry, who was previously seen working as a jewelry store doorman on “The Real World.”
There are two schools of thought as to why this happens: One is that producers believe that viewers like the people so much we want them to return. “Survivor All-Stars” and other shows that bring back champions to play again definitely have this in mind. And some series populate their casts with familiar faces, possibly in the hope that they’ll draw new viewers. “The Amazing Race 7,” for example, will feature “Survivor” couple Rob and Amber, while “The Amazing Race 5” featured Alison from “Big Brother” and her boyfriend, Donnie.
The other reason why cast members keep popping up is that producers are desperate for people, or just severely lazy, only looking to other series to cast their new shows. Jen Schefft is currently starring in “The Bachelorette.” Previously, she found love on “The Bachelor” after Andrew Firestone selected her. But they broke up, and she’s back again, eager to once again use this process to find a mate. And MTV is having more ratings success with “The Real World/Road Rules Challenge” than with “Road Rules,” which is why they’re not renewing “Road Rules” but are bringing back the reunion show for two more seasons. If we watch, they’ll keep coming back. —A.D.
source MSM~
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6840047/