“Survivor”
Producer Proposes TV Contest With Trip To Mir For Winner
Mark Burnett,
producer of this summer’s popular, CBS series “Survivor” has
proposed a reality based TV series titled “Destination Mir”. The
proposed show would launch the winning contestant into outer space
with two Russian cosmonauts for a 10 day stay on Mir. The show is
being shopped to major networks, and would follow 13 to 15
contestants, selected after rigorous physical and psychological
screening, who are sent to the Russian space training camp in Star
City to prepare for the mission. In each weekly episode, two teams
of Russian space officials conducting the training would eliminate
one of the contestant cosmonauts. The winning contestant would be
launched in a Soyuz rocket during the final episode, an episode
which would be broadcast live, with his/her progress chronicled in
follow-up specials ending with the splashdown. Burnett aims to air
the series in fall 2001.
Burnett has
signed a deal with Russia's MirCorp.  MirCorp
would conduct the mission and training program for a US$20 million
fee, to be paid by the network that wins broadcast rights. Overseas
networks would air the show simultaneously. NASA rejected a proposal
by Burnett to use the space shuttle, citing its stance against
private use of U.S. space program assets.
Unlike
“Survivor”, the contestants won't oust rivals. The mission is
"all about teamwork" and physical and mental agility. We
can't have someone who's going to freak out."
"Survivor" was based on a similar show first produced in
Europe and has been a ratings success in the U.S.
As a
prelude to the new series, Burnett will produce a documentary
on
Dennis Tito's mission, MirCorp’s first citizen explorer. The prize
of the “Destination Mir” show promises to make it a news event
far beyond which torch is snuffed out on “Survivor”.
Copyright 2001 - Andrews Space & Technology
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