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11/29/03 - Remaining Sightings posted As promissed in my last update, Your's truely has finally finished posting the remaining sighting reports that have been collecting dust in my mail box for the past two years. To those who sent the sighting info, I am truely sorry for the long delay... Your reports were greatly appreciated. 02/08/03 - I'm still alive and so is this site, but... To be honest, I had almost forgotten about this site, and it wasn't until I was running some web server reports lastnight that I noticed that this site was still receiving hits. Anyway, I felt the need to put at least something up here--a little thanks to the many people who have visited this site over the last two years and before. Aside from that, some of you may ask (and some have in e-mail), what's going on with the next show, etc, etc. and I'll have to be honest with you, I don't really care. Once the Maximum Velocity Tour ended the interest largely disappeared for me and I've since moved on to other projects, etc. However, I'll leave this site up indefinitely as a reference for the debacle that was Road Rules. Who thought it could get any worse? The Quest? Campus Crawl? PUleeease. Later folks! P.S I'll try and get those new back-logged sighting reports up as soon as I can. 03/20/01 - Another Review Delay. Jerome's review of last week's Extreme Challenge episode will be delayed a bit due to a minor reality bite. Sorry for the inconvenience. 02/13/01 - Make way for new blood. A couple weeks ago I made the announcement that I was suspending my weekly reviews due to the hassles of real life. Since then I've been contacted by a fellow viewer interested in taking on the task as BMP's watch dog. So yours truely is passing on the baton to Jerome for the near future. Look for this week's review to be out around Wed evening. Break a leg Jerome. 02/04/01 - Going on hiatus for a while. No, I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth these past several weeks... It's just that real life has put in such a demand for my time that I am now forced to postpone my weekly reviews and other site related updates for the foreseeable future. Fear not though, the site will continue to remain on line for those who feel nostalgic and want to review Road Rules Reviews' two year run. For up-to-date RW/RR reviews, check out The Real World Blows, MightyBigTv, and The Filthy Critic. It's been fun, Au revoir! 01/09/01 - Road Rules On-Line is going Off-Line. One of the on-line RW/RR commmunities' alumni is closing up shop at the end of this month. Kelley from Road Rules On-Line has announced that she can no longer--for personal reasons and over all disappointment with the show--maintain her site to the extent that she would like. RR Reviews owes a great deal of gratitude to Kelley for not only promoting this site when it was in its infancy, but also for the two years since. Kelley, it's been great having you on-line. You'll be surely missed. 01/02/01 - Take a Raincheck Folks Call it the Y2K bug. Call it Indecision 2000. Call it the slowing economy (Happy New Year investors, NOT!). Call it one busy review boy. Or just call it a crappy season. Whatever you call it, the result has been No Season Recap for MVT. For that, I am very sorry. I'm not sure when it'll be out (if at all), but I'd be lying if I said I was enthusiastic about writing it. Stay tuned. In the meantime, I'll see if real life will allow me to make some updates regarding Extreme Challenge 2001 and other site related info. 11/18/00 - Challenge 2001 Photos Ya, it's been a while since I've updated--as is usually the case in between season--but this week I'd like to alert you to some exclusive photos taken at this year's Extreme Challenge 2001 Human Fessball mission in Conn. Images courtesy of Chad at Mission: Accomplished. 10/13/00 - Review Delays (Reality Bites)! Unfortunately, everyone will have to take a rain check on this week's review of the RR. 09/O-Town Face-off. Real life has been relentless in its attacks this week, for I'm in the middle of a "crunch week" on campus--not to mention some personal issues as well. I'll try and get this week's review up at a later date; but rest assured, you'll receive next week's review on time! Sorry for the inconvenience. 09/02/00 - The Kathryn Interview... A Must See! Kathryn's Final Mission: A Daze Interview By David Kaplan While obviously not nearing the popularity of other reality-based series such as Survivor or Big Brother, we must not forget that shows like Road Rules and The Real World were really the progenitors of this latest television trend. For nine seasons, they have been teaching young MTV viewers how to be good little voyeurs, and, by all accounts, they've succeeded. After all, even if you haven't watched those wearisome Real World marathons in their entirety, it's still hard to forget about Heather B., Puck, and Ruthie. We all know that MTV has a distinct knack at transforming practically anyone into a household name. And this year on Road Rules 9: The Maximum Velocity Tour, reality doesn't just hit home; it hits campus. The six-person cast includes Kathryn, an ARME major and recent Cornell graduate. Last January, she left prelims behind and boarded an RV for a 10-week filmed journey around the country and the world. Here, Kathryn chats with Daze on everything from casting to her favorite teammates to the often ludicrous editing process. Daze: "What do you think made you stand out from the thousands of other applicants who applied?" Kathryn: "I have no idea ... I guess it was just a weird combination of things. You have no idea why you. It could be timing or a bunch of other factors." Daze: "Did you participate in the casting call in Ithaca?" Kathryn: "I was waiting in line with a friend 'cause she really wanted to go." Daze: "So you didn't have any intention on going yourself?" Kathryn: "No, not at all." Daze: "The producers cast for Road Rules and The Real World together, so did you try to make yourself seem more fitting for one show or the other?" Kathryn: "No ... you're fit into a group of people for certain reasons ... rather than for one show or another." Daze: "Were you a huge Road Rules fan before you went on the show?" Kathryn: "No, not really ... In fact, all of us weren't big fans." Daze: "Road Rules seems to have undergone a makeover this year. Why was this season billed 'The Maximum Velocity Tour'?" Kathryn: "Our missions are a little bit riskier. I believe it was because the show was getting very poor ratings with Semester at Sea. And that's why they needed to make it a little more daring, a little more scary. And everything we do more or less deals with fear." Daze: "The Roadmaster seemed pretty freaky. Did he frighten you guys when he came on the screen in the RV?" Kathryn: (laughing) "No! All of us would rip on the Roadmaster like 24/7." Daze: "Did he pop up unexpectedly like it seems on the show?" Kathryn: "No ... The production crew would call us and be like "OK guys, everyone in the RV. We gotta shoot the scene" ... There were technical difficulties almost the entire time." Daze: "Was there a camera on the cast constantly?" Kathryn: "No ....There'll be James throwing a temper tantrum, ripping the crap out of the RV, and they can't show it because they didn't film him doing it." Daze: "So, how accurate was the edited, TV version compared to what you really experienced?" Kathryn: "It's a TV show ... Do I feel like I look like myself? No ... But I'm a character. And we all knew that going in, that we would become characters. They have an incredible ability to take someone who's a full fleshed-out person and make them very two-dimensional. Half the time we seem retarded in the stuff we say in the interviews." Daze: "Yeah, you guys do. So what were those interviews like?" Kathryn: "They were very intense. There'd be a 3-hour interview once a week ... The producer and the cameraman and some others would sit you down and you have to answer questions. And the only way I would describe it is to take your worst investment banking interview and make it personal. Make it about your mother." Daze: "Do the producers push?" Kathryn: "Oh they push and push. They really do. I mean interviews were not fun. We did not look forward to them ..." Daze: "Did the producers try to turn your castmates against each other?" Kathryn: "I would say that there were some behaviors that I would consider very questionable." Daze: "So that brings up the whole episode with Latterian. Was that blown out of proportion?" Kathryn: "Entirely. The producers were heavily involved in that. And that was a sad situation that was made into something that it just wasn't." Daze: "Did that really tear the group apart like it seemed on the show?" Kathryn: "No it didn't. They tried to make it look like we were fighting because of that... First of all, the scene where we supposedly hook up was fabricated. The night when it happened they weren't even filming. We were all just wasted at a bar ... celebrating my birthday. So the producers were really upset that they didn't catch it on tape ... So they made up the scene where it happened. When they showed us at dinner, it was weeks before." Daze: "The producers really try to get the juices flowing, huh?" Kathryn: "Well that was something that was really tough for me. It was a difficult situation." Daze: "Did you really want to go home at any point?" Kathryn: "The reason I was considering going home was because you get there, and you think it's going to be this great experience. And it really was ... I had the opportunity to do things that people don't ever get to do in their lives, no matter how wealthy ... And for that, I'm very very grateful ... But I wasn't ready for the poking and the prodding and what I used to call "stirring the pot" ... I remember we used to get in trouble for watching TV because we weren't fighting enough." Daze: "Are you serious?" Kathryn: "Yeah, they wanted us to interact and talk about each other ... We were all very aware of what we were not doing that they wanted." Daze: "Do you think any of your castmates played to the camera?" Kathryn: "If you're playing to the camera you don't even know it ... You sit down at your interview, and you have clipped lines that they want you to say." Daze: "Wait a second here. The producers tell you what to say?" Kathryn: "Yeah ... They were very specific in what message they want you to give." Daze: "But you tried to be yourself?" Kathryn: "You try to be yourself, but you're definitely guarded ... You have to protect yourself because it's a very difficult situation ... I wasn't surrounded by friends ... or by people that were necessarily looking out for my best interests ... In a lot of ways, you know you are going to be exploited and try to prevent it." Daze: "Wow. So on a lighter note, what was your favorite mission?" Kathryn: "It's coming up, and it's in South Africa spending time with the tribes there. It was a very incredible experience ... They embraced us." Daze: "Do you find friends and family are reacting to you differently since you've been on the show?" Kathryn: "I think that people that know me the best ... all react the same. It's me. They know that. And they know that this is a TV show." Daze: "Have you walked down the street at all and been noticed?" Kathryn: "Occasionally. But I found that most people don't watch the show. It's not as popular as Survivor. So I don't get that kind of instant recognition. There are times when people look at me and sometimes walk up to me. But it's always very positive. I thought people might react negatively, but they haven't at all ... I mean, at least not to my face. But I know there's always stuff floating around on the Internet." Daze: "So did you grow attached to any of your teammates?" Kathryn: "Msaada and I were really close on the show ... She was like my confidant. Actually, I hung around a lot with Holly ... She's actually a pretty good person." Daze: "So you don't keep in touch with the guys?" Kathryn: "I talk to James and Theo every once in a while. Daze: You wouldn't do it all over again if you had the chance?" Kathryn: "They inquired if I would be on the Challenge, but I turned it down." Daze: "Have you had any opportunities knocking at your door since the show?" Kathryn: "You know what, not really. It's something that you would have to pursue, but I haven't ... 'cause that's not the business I want to be in." Daze: "So what career path have you taken?" Kathryn: "I'm doing consulting." Daze: "What do you make of the reality TV explosion like Survivor?" Kathryn: "I love Survivor. I thought it was very, very interesting... They did a good job editing ... But a word of caution from somebody that really experienced the other side ... You have to realize it's TV." Daze: "Reassure me that you did have fun sometimes." Kathryn: "Oh my God, yeah. We had fun a lot of the time ... It was 85% great, 15% crap." Daze: "So nothing could have really prepared you for the experience?" Kathryn: "No, nothing." Be sure to catch Kathryn and the rest of the Road Rules gang on Monday nights at 10 p.m. on MTV. - Cornell Daily Sun.com 07/30/00 - Reality Check Season One ...is almost here! Beginning Thursday August, 10th the new season will kick off with the casting special--followed by the pilot on Sunday August, 13th. From there, a new episode will air every Thursday and Sunday; however the format will not be the same as those in my RR reviews--mainly in the sense that they'll be more along the lines of a breakdown format than an analysis. More too come... 06/21/00 - A case of mistaken Identity! A few weeks ago, I posted a E-mail which was believed to have been Sarah's from RR: Latin America. Well, after receiving a number of E-mails and checking with some of my sources, it is confirmed that the E-mail that was posted on the Cast page is NOT the real Sarah from Latin America. Sorry for mix up and everything. 06/20/00 - Help Wanted! Ragin of Phat Tuesdays: Real World New Orleans is looking for people to write weekly reviews on the show and find news on the Real World New Orleans. You can contact Ragin via his e-mail address: Ragin320@aol.com. 04/30/00 - Casting Call Starts May 1th! This past week Road Rules Reviews joined forces with Reality Check Homepage, an on-line version of The Real World, which brings 8 people together to meet and talk on a message board. For more information on the show click here! For more information on the application process click here! 04/11/00 - "Complain, complain, complain!" It has come to my attention that some of my reviews as of late have been abit too negative. True, my reviews of the challenge may've been more cynical than usual (perhaps I should've posted a notice at the beginning of the challenge), but I'm just stating my opinion, you don't have to agree with it. Sure, Challenge 2000 was far superior to the first challenge: the missions were top of the line, even though acouple were recycled cliches; some of the cast were overall likable; and the handsome reward renewed my shattered faith from S.A.S. But face it people, certain aspects of the show are edited to you-know-where and back! Even former cast members have stated how the show managed to manipulate their character into a certain type of persona. And if I were to get up here and write a "happy happy, joy joy" review every week, I'd be in effect assisting the powers that be in some of their manipulations by ignoring the problem. I didn't mean to offend anyone with my quote N' quote, "negativity". I sometimes have a tendency to runaway with nitpicking certain discrepancies. I really don't see it as complaining, I'm just speaking my mind. 04/05/00 - "Real World/Road Rules Charity Auction Item" Courtesy of Webmaster Joey at Motion Picture & Television Fund, "Recently, Michael Douglas hosted the 2nd annual Michael Douglas & Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament that benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund. There is an internet auction that includes a "Road Rules/Real World Challenge Basket" - inside are rare items, videos, sunglasses and crew memoribilia. The telecast will be on ABC on April 8, 2000. The players included: Michael Douglas Andy Garcia Thomas Gibson Kenny G Kyle McLachlan Chris O'Donnell Joe Pesci Sydney Poitier James Woods' There are lots of pictures, video and a great auction with celebrity & Hollywood memoribilia at the site. - Joey Leslie" 03/17/00 - "Redneck Games.. What you didn't see!" Thanks to Mark in Georgia for sending in these exclusive pictures of the Real World/Road Rules Challenges' competition in the annual Redneck Games which were held in October. 03/15/00 - "Ok, Bear with me folks..." I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that I'm currently smack-dab in the middle of "Final's Week" with two more days to go; therefore, I'm afraid this week's review will be delayed abit. "How Long?" I can't say at this time, but consider yourself fortunate if you see it by Sunday--However, I'm not making any promises. As for the good news... I'll be on spring break for the next week and 1/2, so that'll give ample time to crank out the remaining reviews on scheduled basis. Sorry for the inconvenience, but there are some things in real life that cannot be ignored! 03/12/00 - "Help Wanted!" Kelly from The Real World/Road Rules Challenge 2000 has issued a request for help on her new web site. She is preferably looking for any core Road Rules fans--though Real Worlders are welcomed as well. If you're interested, you can E-mail Kelly at: curligirl6@hotmail.com 03/07/00 - "New Poll, Literally!" I decided to change the format of the site just a tad by adding a new (gasp) poll. Ya, I know, but this one has more options whereas the last one was very limited in the number of questions one could ask, characters per question, color schemes, etc. Enjoy! 01/18/00 - "Road Rules in Phoenix?" For you RR trackers keeping tabs on the Season Nine casts' college tour, here's a bit of info courtesy of Trecero on a possible encounter in Phoenix: "So I get this phone call rather early this morning from my Grandma. She starts telling me that she can see two balloons stuck together with this ramp between them. She thinks it might be a rescue operation. Grandma (God bless, her...usually calls me at odd hours with useless bits of information...i.e. the damn neighbors dog barked all night, there's a sale at J.C. Penney, etc.) So I am getting ready for work this morning and I am watching Good Morning Arizona (a local news program) and coming back from a commercial...they cut to a live shot of two tethered balloons with the Road Rules logo draped over the side of both balloons. So anyway, I got to see a few of them walk tethered from one balloon to the next on this sort of ramp. This years cast was supposed to be walking from one balloon to the next. I could also see another helicopter with an MTV cameraman hanging out the side watching this morons. The anchorwoman is having this conversation with the helicopter pilot (who should be covering traffic on the freaking freeways) -- they both go off into this conversation about both the Real World and Road Rules. It was kind of interesting to see just how many people do watch these shows. She mentioned she knew a cameraman from the last season who followed the cast around day and night. She made the comment that all they did was go to bars and get really drunk. At this point I was feeling pretty bad, because it occurred to me that Grandma must have been talking about Road Rules out by her home. If I see or here anything else, I'll let you guys know." Stay Tuned.... 01/11/00 - "Dejavu all over again... Indeed." I say it's time to start whipping out pink slips! Yes folks, the geniuses over in the MTV scheduling department screwed up yet again! Apparently a Challenge 2000 preview special consist of two 30 second commercials during a Real World Hawaii rerun (on a Monday Night?), cuz that's all she wrote last night. Note: not that I'm all cut up about it since it most likely would've been a waste of time anyway! 01/06/00 - "Dejavu all over again!" Apparantly MTV didn't get enough flame mail from their last so-call "Preview Show" (Passport to Road Rules 8: Semester at Sea), so now there're prompting viewers to waste another 30 minutes of their lives this coming Monday at the 10 spot for a Challenge 2000 preview special. 01/01/00 - "Happy New Year--But what in the heck will we call this decade???" Much appologizes for lack of any real news updates over the past couple of months; but as you all are aware, news is hard to come by during the holiday season. But hopefully that'll change in the coming months as the Road Rules Nine cast kicks off their cross country college tour in a few weeks. So if you happen to spot or bump into the cast during anyone of their college tours-or whatnot, please E-mail your info-or any pictures and I'll post them over in the Sightings section. And if you happen to come across any Road Rules related info, drop me a line anytime! Old News & Rants '99

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