Survivor goes governmental

Posted by admin on Mar 8, 2006 in Volume 14 Issue 1 | 0 comments

Matthew Triemstra

If I could be any one in the world I would be Jeff Probst, Survivor Host Extraordinaire. Who wouldn’t want to be him? The man travels the world, stays in world-class hotels and eats gourmet meals. He’s had to memorize one script with the latest Survivor location being the only change, and to top it all off he gets paid more than I’ll ever dream of making. Some might say that Survivor is overrated. In fact, I am one such person, but sadly I am slightly hypocritical on the subject. Season after season I get sucked in and find myself rooting for the underdog and in my weak moments screaming, “No you didn’t just do that!” The amazing part of Survivor and other reality shows is that at the end of the episode you think that you yourself could have done better than the people chosen for the show. Your ego grows two sizes, and you feel empowered: first reality TV, then the World.

Not to be outdone, our very own Trinity Western University has decided to jump on the bandwagon and create its own reality experience. Creators of the event say that despite the lack of a flashy host and financial resources for film crews, that this event will become the summer’s greatest hit. Several names were considered, the short list including The Apprentice: Neil Snider, Extreme Makeover: Chapel Edition, Trinity’s Next Top Student and Trinity Idol. However after the final two cuts of Party in the Parliament and Track and Feel Ottawa, TWU’s three President Interns Ashley Decker, Sara Lanting and Simon Moore decisively chose the name Access Ottawa. “It was a tough decision, but someone had to make it,” comments Moore.

Access Ottawa is designed as a reality experience for high-school students in grades 10-12. It transports them to Trinity’s Ottawa campus, the Laurentian Leadership Centre, where they are guided for a week by a Jeff Probst wannabe through a maze of faith and politics. Students will get an inside look at the people and politics of Canada and get to visit national landmarks in our nation’s capital. Where do I as a reality show fanatic and TWU student fit into all of this? The program is currently seeking two Jeffs and two Marthas to lead groups and to be responsible for the overall program in Ottawa. If you’re a third-year student with knowledge of politics and a flair for the dramatic, apply now to be an “Access Ottawa Program Assistant” during April or May. Interested? Check out their website at www.accessottawa.ca or talk to one of Trinity’s three President Interns, located in upper RSC. Cash in on this deal and we can guarantee 100% Jeff Probst treatment: free food, great accommodations and an exotic destination.