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23 Aug 2009 21:58

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Culture: How did a dude like Ryan Jenkins get on reality TV, anyway?

  • Part of the problem is there’s such a huge machine needing people to go on TV. . . . But the problem is: If you need so many contestants, you’re probably not going to do the best job of screening them.
  • University of Southern California communication professor Jon Taplin • Discussing the nature of the Ryan Jenkins case. In Jenkins’ situation, VH1’s production company, 51 Minds blamed “an error by a Canadian court clerk” for allowing Jenkins’ criminal past to slip through the cracks. Whatever the case may be, it’s clearly not a common situation, but it is a climate made worse by the needs of reality television. • source

20 Aug 2009 10:56

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Culture: “Megan Wants a Millionaire.” VH1 wants “Megan” to go away.

  • This show completed production at the end of March. Given the unfortunate circumstances, VH1 has postponed any future airings. This is a tragic situation and our thoughts go out to the victim’s family.
  • A statement from VH1 • Regarding pulling “Megan Wants a Millionaire” from their schedule after the death of a model involved with contestant Ryan Jenkins. Jenkins is currently on the run from the law. The case is sick and disturbing (the model, Jasmine Fiore, was found dead in a suitcase – yuck!), and VH1 is doing everything it can to wash its hands of it, noting that the show was “an outside production, produced and owned by 51 Minds, that is licensed to VH1.” Guys, take credit for running the show. You didn’t have anything to do with the contestant going crazy. • source