The hallmark of reality programming is elusive, but it has something to do with the mix of challenges, memorable characters, and serviceable hosting skills. Right? There's no mysterious fourth tenet about exhuming dated programming of the '70s, if memory serves. But Variety has it that a new reality series will revamp ABC's late '70s-early '80s series Fantasy Island as a competition about "making dreams come true." I personally never had a dream about desecrating Ricardo Montalban's legacy, but that's what makes me and Mark Burnett different. Read the cryptogram-worthy synopsis after the jump.
Per Variety:
The original, iconic late 1970s/early '80s series starred Ricardo Montalban as the mystical Mr. Roarke -- who made island visitors' dreams come true. The new reality version will follow 12 contestants as they compete to become the real-life Mr. or Ms. Roarke.
To do so, the players will be tasked with making others' dreams come true as guests arrive on a weekly basis. As on the fictional "Fantasy Island," the guests will come to the show with emotion-driven fantasies -- such as a dream wedding or a chance at reuniting with a lost love.
The guests will then be asked to rate the budding Mr./Ms. Roarkes -- and one contestant will be banished from the game each week.
Wait, what? Why are the guests rating the contestants? How can a contestant make "a dream wedding" or "a chance at reuniting with a lost love" come true on a remote island? Ten years ago, you could just call 1-800-GO RICKI. It was easy that way. Now you have to fly to a soundstage in the Maldives so that a construction worker from Rancho Cucamonga can tell you he sent a few emails but ultimately crapped out. Also: What is the rubric for judging? Can you really be a piss-poor Mr. Rourke? Will Tattoo and Lawrence the butler be available? Too many questions, and none that will be answered by trustworthy, un-hypnotized officials as yet.
Wait, one more query: Didn't we learn our lesson from that last whacked-out, through-the-looking-grass '70s reality reboot? As if Bonaduce wasn't broken enough already.
[Sony, Burnett to visit 'Fantasy Island'] [Variety]