Multiple people… okay, multiple geeks have been asking for some insight about how to get onto the show for its second season. It’s such a simple equation that it’s not worthy of the term “equation.” Here’s what you need to do, guys:
Be yourself. That’s it. That’s all it took for me and I’m pretty sure that’s all it took for the other guys. If the show’s execs like who you are, they’ll cast you; if they don’t… I don’t know what’ll happen, but you won’t end up in the mansion. If you follow the steps, answer their questions and questionnaires honestly, you’ll have a lot better chance than if you create some bogus personality to try and improve your odds. (You’ll be in front of a camera many times—if your behavior changes between interviews, they’ll catch you and you’ll be out on your ass before you can say, “Hey, at least let me say ‘Hi’ to Ashton!”)
If you want an alternative method, you can check out Joe’s blog and read his post, How to Win at Beauty and the Geek. [His blog is no longer active—his new website is www.JoeandHassan.com.] Here’s his advice: Play dumb. The basis for his theory? He knew enough about pop culture that he didn’t seem like a geek, which was why he and Erika ended up in the elimination room in both of the first two episodes. No offense to Joe, but I can explain why it happened and it had nothing to do with his lack of geekiness.
Episode 1: Richard and Mindi won both challenges and had to pick both couples for the elimination room. Their choice of Eric and Cheryl seemed fairly arbitrary—I have no idea what their motivation was—but their decision of Erika and Joe was because Erika came in second for the 5th grade test. Richard and Mindi wanted to get rid of the couple who seemed like the greatest threat to them at the time, so WOOSH! Off to the elimination room for you!
Episode 2: Chuck and Caitilin won both challenges and had to pick both couples for the elimination room. This time, there were some personal relationships involved—Caiti and Lauren had become close (How many people talk about killing all the geeks in the mansion so they could start having fun?), so she and Bill were safe. Chuck and I were good buddies (or maybe he was just using me to get to Scarlet… hmmm…), so we were in the clear. Who was left? Richard and Mindi; Brad and Krystal; Joe and Erika. Their final choice wasn’t based on “Who needs to leave?”, but “Who needs to stay here the most?” Naturally, it was Richard (though we didn’t realize he was a hopeless case until it was too late…).
Thus, the first two episodes that led to Joe and Erika’s departure. We missed them, just like we missed everyone who left, but it was bound to happen eventually.
I guess when you look at those explanations, it seems like creating friendships with other people in the mansion is essential, but I think in our case, it happened naturally. I didn’t plan to latch onto Chuck’s shoulder to help me stick around as long as possible, but we had stuff in common and had fun together—that’s what friendships are made of. On the other hand, if you try to manipulate people and “form alliances” that way… maybe it’d work for you, but when Richard tried it, I wanted to slap him around more than become his ally.
So that’s my recommendation: Be yourself. Beyond that? Don’t make a big deal about saying “Hi” to Ashton or he might decide to grant your wish by throwing you out on your ass himself.
