The Rebel Billionaire

[Elisha]

Sir Richard Branson is my hero. This show rocks. I loved the beginning where he disguised himself and kicked out those two from the start. The balloon stunt was awesome - especially with tea up top at the end.

[Elisha]

Hello???? Anybody home?? There must be at least someone else besides me who watched this and at least one person who agrees with my opinion above!

[Wannabe Actuary]

I think it's a great Charlie in the Chocolate Factory concept...I didn't watch it though.

[Saint Kepler]

I didn't see it. What did the two get eliminated for? I saw the balloon stunt on the commercial. It looked pretty fun.

[The Waiting Hurts]

Didn't watch. I think I was watching Accoring to Jim at that time.

[Oliver Klozov]

Here are my thoughts (take them for what they're worth):

1. I really liked the concept of dismissing two people before the game even "started". It was refreshing to see people's behaviour when they don't know they're being watched. I too think that how people treat "common" people is an important indicator of their character.

2. I didn't think that the challenges were "framed" very well. The decision to decide who was going home seemed very arbitrary to me. As opposed to The Apprentice where the Boardroom procedure is well defined and reasonably objective.

3. Further to point 2, the first challenge really irritated me. I didn't understand the criteria for succeeding in the challenge (ie what defined success for the team...what were the consequences).

4. Again, further to point 2, Branson himself mentioned that the two people left were probably strong players and were "left" in a Machiavellian scheme to get rid of one. If his objective is to find the best, why would he allow this to happen?

5. Some candidates seem very strong (stronger than any of The Apprentice candidates), but quite a few seem very weak (no smarter than your average Survivor particiapant).

[The Waiting Hurts]

What's the prize? All I know it's something about his position?

[Elisha]

Originally Posted by Saint Kepler

I didn't see it. What did the two get eliminated for? I saw the balloon stunt on the commercial. It looked pretty fun.

The first elimination was a first impression thing - like that Mark Cuban show (is it still on the air?). Branson dressed up like an old English cabbie with a synthetic mask to appear 70+ and shuttled them back from London to his estate in Oxford. He eliminated two (and another was a bottom 3 pick) based on impression in the cab ride/not helping an old man with their own luggage/etc.

Another one was later eliminated from two who didn't complete the balloon balance bean task. Those two had to climb a 150 ft rope ladde to the top of the balloon (at 10K ft), where Richard was waiting for a tea party. If one didn't make it, they were eliminated, but if they both did, he subjectively chose.

[The Waiting Hurts]

Originally Posted by The Waiting Hurts

What's the prize? All I know it's something about his position.

Edit.

[Elisha]

Originally Posted by The Waiting Hurts

What's the prize? All I know it's something about his position?

To take SRB's place...as CEO of Virgin Atlantic...for a year.