Series 7: The Contenders (2001)

I love the fact that, although the premise is completely unbelievable (reality show where the last one alive wins), it's also got a real handle on familiar show structure. The new contestants, for the most part, have great loathing/disdain for the reigning champion - but quite quickly become every bit as ruthless. While watching, both Nathan and I got so into the rhythm of the show that I actually started to fast-forward when the pre-advertising bumper ("coming up on the Contenders...") showed. This is clever without being too much so for its own good...and moves at a marvelous clip. There's no boredom here.

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