Celebrities(?) enter realm of surrealism

    by Shannon Harrison

    The season for reality television has arrived, and with it is a show called Surreal Life.

    Out of all the reality shows on television, I would have to say that this one brings not only a new twist, but also an interesting story.

    Surreal Life, which airs on the WB network, takes seven has-been celebrities from every genre of the entertainment industry and puts them in a house together for 10 days. Sounds a little like Real World, but it's a shorter time and more entertaining.

    The houseguests include Brande Roderick, Baywatch star and Playboy playmate; Corey Feldman, '80s movie star; Gabrielle Carteris, a 90210 alumna; Vince Neil, Motley Crue's lead singer; Jerri Manthey, Survivor II cast member; MC Hammer, a bankrupt rapper turned ordained minister, and Emmanuel Lewis, star of the '80s sitcom Webster.

    The seven cast members must interact with each other, share bedrooms and bathrooms, do household chores, go grocery shopping and prepare their meals together, which I must say isn't very easy considering their food tastes are about as different as Alaska and Hawaii.

    In the first episode, you can start to identify which roles are being filled in the house. Neil and Carteris have taken the mom and dad roles. It was easy to see that Carteris would apply to this role, but Neil was a surprise. Under all that heavy metal, he does seem to appear responsible and kind.

    Good ol' Corey Feldman reminds me of my brother when he was 15 years old. I don't think this guy has grown up since the Goonies. He pretends to know everything about life and how life should be, but when shown he is wrong, he won't admit it. He whines, cries and argues.

    Hammer and Lewis are in their own little world, and if I have to hear Webster laugh his high-pitched laugh one more time, I might go deaf.

    As for the remaining girls, it's hard to tell. They will either get along with each other or become the two who argue the most. They're young women, both set in their ways, so it is hard to tell what will happen with them.

    I think a different twist to this show is the daily newspaper. In most reality shows, a person doesn't know he is being talked about until the show airs. However, on Surreal Life all conversations are reported in the Surreal Life daily newspaper for the whole house to see. Backstabbing may exist, but not for long.

    In upcoming episodes, viewers can look forward to a group camping trip, a softball game, a backyard talent show and a wedding. I wouldn't be surprised if Hammer performed the wedding vows.

    Surreal Life may have its annoying points, but it will make you laugh.