Episode 28.15 - Fear Is a Factor
December 19

Chico: Hey, I'm Chico Alexander... and we're all here for one reason.. to stare fear in the eye and... well, poke it.
Jason: What about eat it and suck out the marrow?
Chico: ... YES. Eat it. And suck out the marrow.
Gordon: COOKIES! (Brings milk and cookies)
Jason: Oh yes. Cookies.
Gordon: The cookies are freshly baked with cow hearts and pig marrow.
Jason: YUM YUM
Chico: More marrow means MORE PROTEIN.
Jason: With a dash of crunchy live scorpions.
Gordon: And who doesn't like live scorpions with your marrow cookie?
Chico: In case you haven't figured it out, it's the return of a legend, as from somewhere in America... the Fear Is A Factor edition of WLTI.. is... ON!
Jason: WOO HOO!
Gordon: Gordon and Chico here, along with special guest Jason Block.
Jason: Glad to be here.
Chico: Got a LOT to cover so let's get started.
Gordon: We will get to Fear Factor momentarily, but first, we go to the end of another satisfying season.



Jason: Yes, a very satisfying season.
Gordon: And a well played, if anti-climactic, final episode.
Chico: Now last week, Jeremy & Sandy had the lead, and there was no reason why
Gordon and I thought they wouldn't take it. It literally was theirs to lose - and they lost it.
Jason: And Ernie and Cindy just BLEW through the final stages.
Chico: That is correct.
Gordon: And then Jeremy and Sandy BLEW it, as they ran into a clue that killed them. Said clue: GO to the residence that used to be called 'The Dump'.
Jason: They didn't go to an actual dump did they?
Gordon: They went to Home Depot, which was in an area that used to be called 'The Dump'
Jason: oops.
Chico: Now after having worked for "The Red and Blue" the summer of 99, I'm a big fan of the Home Depot, but ... SERIOUSLY?!
Jason: And Marcus and Amani couldn't land a plane. It took them 12 tries I think.
Gordon: 15 times to land a plane. If each time took 15 minutes, that's 225 minutes, or almost 4 hours. that knocks them out.
Chico: I'm of the school of thought that says that Ernie & Cindy, as hard as they tried, didn't win it so much as Jeremy & Sandy lost it.
Gordon: I disagree completely. Ernie and Cindy ran a flawless leg.
Chico: I'm not saying that they didn't run a flawless leg, but they were trailing.
Jason: I agree with Gordon. Ernie and CINDY won this. No choke here.
Chico: It wasn't a choke at all. I'm just saying it could've been more interesting than it actually was.
Gordon: Yes, but Ernie and Cindy breezed through the road block and the last memory challenge. They wouldn't give anyone a chance to catch up. And that's what great teams do.
Jason: Exactly. They did what they had to do. FINISH STRONG.
Chico: Bingo. So now... the trophy?
Gordon: Yes please.
Jason: Yes.



Chico: The 20th Race begins February 19th. We'll see you at the starting line.
Gordon: Speaking of which, we have a new show at the starting line. Well, sort of, it's an old show with a veteran host.
Chico: Veteran host. Veteran format. But the dial is cranked to 11. That's the reboot of Fear Factor.
Jason: Bingo.
Chico: And if you're a fan of the original series, well, you'll be happy to know that little has changed. At least in the shows that premiered this week, we have pairs instead of the familiar six-person format.
Gordon: Well the pairs format has been used in the original series as well.
Chico: True. That was usually a one-off, though. I don't know if it's the norm this time out.
Jason: Even so, the fact they changed nothing is fantastic.
Gordon: The format is as follows: 3 stunts. The worst team (or a team that can't complete a task) is gone, The last team left wins $50,000 (or less).
Chico: The good: nothing's changed. At all.
Gordon: If you like the regular show, you'll like this, Complete with gore, speed and action.
Chico: Just more of it. And in high definition.
Jason: Exactly. Its a perfect time capsule. With more glitz
Chico: NBC is really hoping that this takes off, and they're going in the right direction with it. The bad... well, if you had any problems with the original series, you're going to have problems with this.
Gordon: It's Fear Factor.
Jason: Exactly. Since they changed nothing. If you didn't like it...you won't here. But we do.
Chico: We LOVE it.
Jason: And they brought back Joe Rogan. Always a plus.
Gordon: Grade Time!

	FEAR FACTOR NBC - 9p ET Mondays
	GORDON	CHICO	JASON	AVERAGE-O-MATIC
	B+	A	B	B+

Chico: I'm going with an A. It picks up where it left off and it follows the revival rule #1: keep what works, ditch what doesn't.
Gordon: I love the show. We all know this. However, I wanted to see something that would have made it different from Fear Factor 2000. I didn't. Hence it gets a B+
Jason: I am giving it a B. Solid solid revival.
Chico: Very solid.
Gordon: Not too solid - Marcus Canty.
Chico: Darn. =p



Chico: Marcus, who seemingly lived in the bottom two, finally got his comeuppance as the judges - and by judges I mean AMERICA - finally do their job for a change.
Jason: Instead of being a wuss like Nicole.
Chico: Ten bucks says she's not invited back next year.
Gordon: Not in the US. Kelly Rowland has that seat reserved.
Chico: What up.
Gordon: Speaking of votes, Brandon got the ones he didn't want.



Chico: If I may play the Are you Smarter Than card early. Because that was a pretty dumb move. And what I liked about it afterwards, we learn once again... EVERYONE's playing the game, INCLUDING JEFF.
Jason: Just Pretty dumb?
Chico: I'm underselling, Jay.
Gordon: Brandon had immunity. Albert is clearly on the block.
Chico: Brandon gives up immunity to Albert, and Jeff asks, "Would you have given it to Brandon in this case?" Albert gets a completely NOT-BRANDON answer.
Gordon: Of course, this is after everyone wants to get rid of Brandon. Now that he passes the immunity necklace, that makes him vulnerable and the rest of the group has no problem knocking him out.
Jason: Too easy.
Gordon: Its not the dumbest move ever, (that ignobility goes to an earlier Survivor season), but this is pretty bad.
Chico: Which gives us the final five of Albert, Coach, Sophia, Rick, and on Redemption Island... Ozzy.
Gordon: or Brandon
Chico: Or Brandon. Still have some unfinished business there.
Gordon: So it's time to do our series version of... Big Board please?

Gordon: Who Wins If...
Chico: Should we start with the obvious, the Redemption duel?
Gordon: Let's start with the very obvious. If Ozzy gets there, he wins.
Chico: And if Brandon does.... he goes right back to the jury. That was easy.
Jason: Very much so.
Gordon: If Ozzy gets to the Final 3, he wins.
Chico: Easy.
Gordon: Next up is Coach, If he gets there (and Ozzy isn't there), Coach wins.
Jason: Coach has played a great game.
Gordon: Fantastic game.
Chico: As for the others, Albert, Sophia, and Rick...Their only chance, and it's an OUTSIDE one... they gang together to oust the veterans.
Gordon: They have to get rid of Ozzy and Coach to have any shot, If that happens, Sophie will edge out Albert. Rick makes a great 3rd place pedestal, since that would define how inactive during the game he's been.
Chico: Perfect. But again, they have to pick off Ozzy AND Coach FIRST.
Gordon: They must. If either of them get to then final 3, they don't win.
Chico: That's the challenge.
Gordon: Here's another challenge - how to move America's Got Talent to NYC.
Chico: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Get me Howard Stern on the line.
Jason: Done. Speak to Don Buchwald (that's his agent) and sign the contract.
Gordon: The big non-gaming news of the week; Howard Stern, the king of most media, is the newest judge on America's Got Talent.
Chico: He replaces Piers Morgan, who left to concentrate on his CNN gig.
Jason: This is a HUGE gamble by NBC, but I think it is going to work.
Chico: Now reaction to this news was MOSTLY positive. NBC says that this was a gamble to bring in younger viewers.
Jason: Besides the usual moralists who think he is going to be a pervert.
Chico: Piers approves. Simon approves. Really those are the only ones that matter, right?
Gordon: NBC is right. Howard will bring in the younger viewer. Now I have had the opportunity to see Howard in person and in action. So let me say a few things about him. Big Board please?

Gordon: The Subject: Gordon judging Howard. #1. Howard is a brilliant person. He's a genius. If you think he's just going to be lewd, he may, but there is a genius behind him.
Chico: So there's a method to madness, then. PLUS.
Jason: big time
Chico: Go on.
Gordon: #2. The Howard Stern pervert persona is a shtick. It's a character from Howard's persona; I've been fortunate enough to deal with him in person and he is a consummate professional.
Chico: So it's a character. Much like Bill O'Reilly on TV or Tyra Banks on TV are characters. Another plus.
Jason: He wouldn't be this successful if he was a one trick pony
Chico: I mean, read the book... That would be "Private Parts", by the way.
Jason: and Miss America
Gordon: Right. #3. Howard has a taste for talent. He has a huge music background and talent background from all of his dealings. He is a great selection for the show.
Chico: So we have multifaceted, genius, and a little bit nuts. Yeah, he'll fit in real nicely.
Jason: Calling it now...Stern's image gets remade into a huge star next year.
Chico: Huge-ER. And the haters can suck it.
Jason: Yup :)
Chico: Because haters are gonna hate. But in the end, does it even matter?
Jason: No. Because AGT is a monster hit.
Chico: And will continue to be as such.
Gordon: Finally...#4. Stern will bring in the younger voters - and a whole new breed of voters. Which ALSO means that a hip, non-music act may have a chance to win it.
Jason: They WILL.
Gordon: They have a chance. I'm not saying they will win, but they have a chance.
Jason: Which is amazing since The Silhouettes should have won the whole damn thing.
Gordon: No they shouldn't
Chico: Right. Illuminate should've won. :-) Anyway...
Gordon: Anyways, let's move on to someone that DID win.



Chico: ... divided by, like 25. Thursday was a pretty interesting day on TPIR. For one, we had a visit from the Australian version of Bob Barker/Drew Carey, Larry Emdur. I don't think he's working right now, so maybe someone caught that and said.. .Hmm.
Jason: He wasn't bad
Chico: No he was not. Second thing... the green spot was nuclear hot. The first five of the six players all came from that singular spot.
Jason: Big time.
Chico: Now it has only happened ONCE, when all six players came from one spot. ... didn't happen again Thursday, but oh the possibilities. And #3... well, let's play it out. First Showcase, a trip to Australia and a sailboat. Gordon, you've never been to Australia. Bid or pass?
Gordon: PASS
Chico: Jason? Australia and a sailboat.
Jason: $24,000
Chico: Okay, Jason says $24K. Gordon... This. Is. Your. Showcase! A gumball machine, a pink scooter, and a pink Mini Cooper.
Gordon: I'll also say $24,000 'cause I think my showcase is cheaper than Jason's
Chico: Okay. Actual price of Jason's Showcase... $31,705. That's a difference of $7705. Gordon, your Showcase is... $34,238. That's a difference of over $10,000.
Jason: WOW :)
Chico: NOW a lady by the name of Patricia Mellor, who was called by Larry and played a game with Larry, bid $34,000 on the Mini-Coopercase. Do the math and it adds up to a DOUBLE SHOWCASE WIN.
Jason: BOO YAH :)
Gordon: Sweet
Chico: She ends up with $76,238. Now... we don't have anyone from any foreign website up to start the Choppler (though we did get an offer or two)... but we do have a bunch of animals and a Brobot.
Gordon: Roll That Beautiful Brain Footage
Brobot: Beep beep beep

(Doug: Live, local, and latebreaking... From the four corners of the globe to your frontal lobe, this is WLTI Brainvision News, and now here's Gordon Pepper, Chico Alexander, and the award-winning Brainvision News Team)

Chico: Thanks, Doug. First up, let's go to the Datebook.

This Wednesday and Thursday, there's the X Factor finale, when Melanie Amaro, Josh Krajcik, and Chris Rene compete for... $5 million.

Gordon: Not a bad X-Mas present
Chico: No sir.
Gordon: Of course if you like your presents as new on the air TV shows...

December 19th is Who's Still Standing on NBC. The 22nd is Billy on the Street on Fuse, and the 23rd is Wait Wait Don't Tell Me on BBC America.

Chico: Which I can't watch, because TWC pulled Fuse. Over MSG. Which I wouldn't be able to watch anyway. That's just ONE business item. I need a bat.
Jason: Which one?
Chico: The yellow and black one.
Jason: (hands Chico the Yellow and Black Bat) Cool design

This is for the Substitute, which gets renewed for a second season.

Jason: You know what...I am cool with this.
Gordon: Good for them. I'm glad it got renewed
Jason: This is a perfect show for MTV
Chico: It is. And it's well done.
Jason: Good for MTV
Chico: The order is for 20 shows.
Jason: Another 4 weeks of new programming
Chico: We'll see them later on down the line.
Gordon: Same as per se a season of Silent Library
Chico: Right.
Gordon: Now will we see them run as a combo?
Chico: Good question. Good idea.
Jason: That would be uber awesome.
Chico: Not to mention smart.
Jason: :) Yes. I would love to see it.
Gordon: I'd love to get fully loaded. Who has the eggnog?
Jason: Right here. HIC

Double bill here... First one goes back to Black Friday in the poker world, as producers say that "High Stakes Poker" could return if, and now I'm quoting here, "things change in the poker industry with advertising dollars".

Chico: ... gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodluckwiththat.
Jason: And the whole lawsuit thingy

Second, new DLC is available if you have the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire special edition.

Jason: Nice.
Gordon: Things changing in the poker industry could be sooner once the government makes internet poker legal and regulates it.
Jason: I would love to see it...FINALLY.
Chico: Yeah, once someone finds some money in it, it's all but certain.
Gordon: Agreed. that would be the smart move. However, I have a dumb one - and no, it's not Brandon
Chico: Yeah, that ship sailed.

Are YOU Smarter than...Alex and Gareth, who lost a million dollars because they thought that Justin Timberlake won an award for helping Friends with Benefits.

Jason: What?
Chico: This on the new series of The Million Pound Drop Live.
Jason: Ah LOL
Gordon: The question:

Justin Timberlake won an award in October of this year for helping to protect what?
Was it... "Friend With Benefits", "Trouser Snakes", "The Environment" or "Sexy Backs"?

Jason: The Environment :)
Chico: TROUSER SNAKES!
Gordon: It should be his career after his insipid 'In Time' flick.
Jason: LOL
Chico: That bad, huh?
Gordon: Yes. But the answer is The Environment. Alex gets to see the money go down
the hole like a trouser snake.
Chico: ah, trouser snakes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/12/million-pound-drop-fail-video_n_1142806.html?ref=uk

Gordon: Lets get loaded with a Zombie



Jason: Oh Augustus!
Chico: Yo.

High Stakes Poker, Club Millionaire and Food Wars have all gone the way of 6 month old Christmas Fruitcake

Chico: I don't know, have you seen this year's ICA Holiday Battle? Then again, Alton's free-range fruitcake isn't six-months old.
Jason: LOL
Gordon: 6 months could be a tad bit stale
Chico: Yeah. JUST A LITTLE. Let's go back to the UK for a moment.

This week's item in the Global... The Exit List (which we lovingly refer to as "Hitmoneymaze") has a host, Matt Allwright of "Rogue Traders".

Gordon: Interesting choice
Jason: Nods.
Chico: He's also the host of "Watchdog", which as you know is where a little known acid-tongue quiz host got HER start. We all know which one.
Jason: Anne Robinson?
Chico: Anne Robinson.
Gordon: She's done a very good job parlaying that into a nice career.
Chico: Maybe Matt will do the same thing.
Gordon: Maybe. him and a bunch of other media hoes.
Chico: (plays Luda)

In this week's Media Ho Report, Richard Hatch is released from prison, Brooke Burke and Chris Harrison will host the 2012 Miss America pageant, Donald Trump cancels his own Republican debate...

Chico: and then turns around and hints at a possible independent run (which he totally won't do).
Gordon: No, but he can talk about it all during next season's run of the Celebrity Apprentice, Convenient, no?
Jason: VERY
Chico: Mm-HMM.

Justin Bieber will play the X Factor, Melissa Rycroft gets a reality show on CMT, and Simon Cowell considered hooking up with Paula Abdul.

Jason: SHUDDER
Chico: Creepy.
Gordon: However, none of them are your hoes of the week
Jason: Hoes?
Gordon: Your hoes are Snoop Dogg, Heidi Klum, Neil Patrick Harris, Jenny McCarthy and Chris Daughtry.
Jason: I know why too :)
Chico: Me too.
Gordon: Tell them Jay.
Jason: They are Celebrities playing for Charity on TPIR starting January 2nd on "Celebrity Week" (first ever)
Chico: Whoopee.
Jason: Which could be either really good...or really bad.
Gordon: I think it will be fun.
Jason: I want to see what they do with it. I am intrigued.
Gordon: and those...are your hoes
Chico: And that's Brainvision. Jason?
Jason: Shutting down.
Chico: Still to come, fruit and things to do with it, but first... Time to become someone else.
Jason: A ha.
Gordon: You're reading WLTI. you give us 22 minutes, and we'll give you Jason Block's list of 22 talent acts that Gordon and Chico think he's loony enough to believe should have won. Like his cousin Leonid from Brooklyn.
Jason: Ha Ha Ha. :)

(Brainvision has been brought to you by Top Trapper. We want to see how good your foraging skills REALLY are. Who can make the best dish using elderberries, tree sap and freshly run over squirrel? Bear Grylls hosts.)

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