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Rebel Billionaire

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 13:49
by colbornjames
Did anyone see it last night? I did and it was OK.
ALL of the contestants are American. Not that this is a bad thing but it does seem strange that one of the most successful British companies is being fought for by not a single Brit? I'm not sure if the model of program would have worked with a British contenstant because they would have seen straight through Branson pretending to be a cab driver!
Format of the show is straight forward, a new destination, this time it was Hong Kong, 2 teams and from the loosing team of the first challenge two members have to fight it out to remain on the program. The challenges are quite staggaring and worth watching the show.
Nice to see lots of Virgin branding, as far as I can see so far they've used two aeroplanes; one called 'Mustang Sally' and another called 'Queen of the skies'.
As usual with a reality show there is already fighting between contestants, more so with the women than men, but as the prize is so large that is to be expected.
All in all I hope that it comes to Sky as it'll be interesting to see what everyone thinks.
JC.

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 15:10
by FamilyMan
In the states at the moment but totally forgot to watch it last night. [:I]
Went and watched Alfie at the movies instead.
Phil (Buffy)

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 15:39
by chefknife
not that I would condone such activities, but if soeone sees a torrent file for this please do pass the info on

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 15:55
by LAX flyer
more show info at
http://www.fox.com 747-200 G-VZZZ that is in Storage in the Desert was used in the opening shots at the start of the show and showed the hole group and RB standing on the wing.
The show was like watching a two hour Virgin commercial, the point of the show is to get the Virgin Atlantic(and Richard's name) out in the USA.
In the UK Virgin is a house hold name, but not here yet !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 16:39
by Jonathan
Did a search for a .torrent but no joy !!
If anyone knows of any aonline sources clips etc that would be great!
I phoned sky but theres nothing on their system yet

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 16:57
by Richard28
there was even a commercial fot this show before V:Port was activated on VS008 yesterday!

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 17:54
by colbornjames
And a plug for the show on
http://www.virgin-atlantic.comI don't know how I could get a copy online to all you guys back in the UK. Any suggestions?
JC

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 18:42
by Vrocking
quote:Originally posted by colbornjames
Nice to see lots of Virgin branding, as far as I can see so far they've used two aeroplanes; one called 'Mustang Sally' and another called 'Queen of the skies'.
good ol' branson!! Mustang Sally G-VROC and Queen of the Skies G-VEIL are the two newest aeroplanes in the fleets.
Coincidence??

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 19:17
by LAX flyer

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 20:15
by fozzyo
Have they clarified what they mean by "Branson's job"?
Just about managed to read through Episodes one and two ... really not a fan of the website!! Other then that looks fun ... hope we get it over here at some point!!
Foz

)

Posted:
10 Nov 2004, 22:32
by Decker
I spoke to Carol in the BOS Clubhouse about this and she could only repeat what was being said "SRB's job as chairman of ..." and then a generic sounding Virgin company name. So whilst it is being slanted as though it is THE job the likelihood would currently seem to be that whilst it is indeed a top job it might be in a specially created vehicle.
Remind me to come back and delete this when I am shown to be woefully incorrect. [:o)]

Posted:
11 Nov 2004, 00:01
by colbornjames
Yes... they have said it's 'President' of 'Virgin Worldwide'. As President the individual has no executive powers over a company, that lies in the hands of the CEO. The terminology President is also a US term, we tend to use Chairman. I think it's a ruse, but, it could be something to so with Virgin America.
Not sure is my honest answer... I did look up 'Virgin Worldwide' at Companies House and Hoovers and there isn't such a holding company BUT that might not need to be in either of these locations as each of the separate entities 'like Virgin Atlantic' are.
JC.

Posted:
11 Nov 2004, 01:28
by roadrunner
Actually, the show was quite a hoot--daredevil walks between hot air balloons (flying over treacherous Gloucestershire), a climb to the top of one of the balloons to have tea, wingwalking/pass the baton stunts and several shots of the groups hunkered down in suites turned down as beds.
I would say (as a Brit in the US) that I would totally agree that this is all about PR for Virgin USA. The Virigin logo was in nearly every scene. Branson is charming, thoughtful, and, most importantly--kind-- as compared with the last billionaire on this show--Trump--kind. My only regret is that the show is on Fox tv over here--not a Virgin sort of station.
Not sure how they sorted the contestants--Sir Richard said they were the best and brightest of 50,000 applicants but several who have been featured thus far seem rather dull and/or immature--as indicated in the first scene where they were filmed being picked up by a cabbie (RB in disguise) and most behaved quite badly.
I believe the next segment is in Africa....
RR

Posted:
11 Nov 2004, 16:21
by Neddy
OOOPSSSSS..
Seems I put my two cents on the programme in the wrong part of the forum, I put my bit in the NEWS section, Oh well, that answers the second part of my question...[you'll have to read my contribution to see the question]
Sheepishly Yours

Posted:
11 Nov 2004, 19:09
by Odessey
OMG, Rebel Billionare got poor ratings on the first two shows only 5.1 million the Gilmore Girls on the WB beated it.[:0], and Donald Trump dissed Richard, well at least richard has still got his hair on and hasn't been bankrupt like Trump has!!!! [:(!]
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk

Posted:
12 Nov 2004, 02:43
by Svenska
As much as I love SRB, I do have to say, I would watch Gilmore Girls to the new show, sorry. But I still love Virgin and thus plan on taping it every week and then watching it later!

Posted:
12 Nov 2004, 02:46
by Svenska
By the way that article on digitalspy about Trump...wow, all I have to say is what a pompus arrogant man! SRB beats him out anyday...However, I did see SRB on Comedy Central's the Daily Show, and he was not super confident, rather a bit nervous. Not that it really, really matters but it gave a bad impression for the Virgin companies.

Posted:
12 Nov 2004, 03:01
by pegitt
quote:Originally posted by Svenska
he was not super confident, rather a bit nervous. Not that it
That's the way SRB is, i guess it just go's to show you don't have to be arrogant to make it in this world.
Cheers
phil

Posted:
18 Nov 2004, 12:42
by Jonathan
SKY TV called me the other day to say they curently have NO plans to air this show.
Also I've had no joy tring to evaluate it online..anyone found any torrents etc?

Posted:
20 Nov 2004, 12:22
by Jonathan
I found a torrent file for episode 1
[edited to remove torrent link]

Posted:
20 Nov 2004, 16:47
by Sian
Found it amazing and wished they had shown it here!!!!!!!!Better than some of the reality tv we are subjected to!!
Sianx

Posted:
20 Nov 2004, 17:11
by pegitt
Hi Jonathan
What program do i need to run it[?]
Cheers
phil

Posted:
20 Nov 2004, 17:21
by Jonathan
You'll need broadband as the file is 600MB
and a
Bittorrent client

Posted:
21 Nov 2004, 16:17
by Jonathan
Hmm just watching the 1st show and the prize is head of the virgin group..$1million a year job!!
they get the key to the virgin empire
[edited to remove torrent link]

Posted:
21 Nov 2004, 17:53
by TMS
Jonathan,
Thanks for the links, currently downloading.
cheers
ron

:D:D