Rebel Billionaire Times/Dates Released + News

[preiffer]

Amongst other new competitions, news, etc. loaded onto virginatlantic.com today, this article now confirms the screenings of Rebel Billionaire in the UK:

The Rebel Billionaire, brand new and exclusive to ITV2, Friday nights from 1st July, 8.30pm

Additional pieces:

New Clubhouse piece - from VS

New Competition to win a pair of tickets to New York

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this just a take on 'The Apprentice' fronted by Donald Trump in the US and Sir Alan Sugar here in the UK[?]

[preiffer]

Hi Sunny,

It's a sort-of take on the Apprentice shows, yes.

However, I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong, anyone that's seen it already!) it's got the usual SRB twists and although I enjoyed the Trump/Sugar programmes, I dare say this one will be slightly more exciting.

The tasks are sometimes a little more personally involved (ie: a "toned down Fear Factor" was how someone described one of them to me).

[mitchja]

Looking at my TV guide for this week, it recommends you switch off the Apprentice show. The review of Rebel Billionaire does, however, get 4 stars

I've watched the first 4 Rebel Billionaire shows (via Torrents [:I]) and I did enjoy them As Paul says there's much more 'action and adventure' rather than just shouting and anger.

Plus there's lots of shots (both inside and outside) of VS A/C too One of the resting 742's even get a staring role too .

Regards

Well I don't have the good fortune to get torrents but am looking forward to the start of the series:)

[fozzyo]

Just a reminder its tonight.

Foz xx

[preiffer]

Did anyone else notice that SRB appeared in BOTH baskets of the balloon-crossing task?

He was in the "destination" basket to begin with, but then appeared in the original one with the girl that was afraid of heights. Camera trickery, perhaps?

(To clarify, I'm referring to DURING the task, not afterwards, with the "revised" knockout one)

Yeah I noticed that.

My god, that looked SO scary! I could never do that! I am truly afraid of heights. Oooh! Double oooh!

The Strawb

I loved that the first advert break advertised only Virgin companies, but the UCS advertisment needs an update as still only says on all JFK and SFO flight when there are now only a handful of routes still with J2000.

I noticed the basket switch im wondering if SRB crossed to do the 2nd part of the task, but that would of made a good scene showing him crossing.

Can't wait for next week, was the first i saw of it last night, i love the two cabin crew that are following them. Does anyone know are they real crew or just hired actors for the show?

[fozzyo]

The dubbing was really annoying. Sometimes when SRB was talking to the team it was dubbed, his speech didn't seem to fit the body language and the change in sound quality was to me noticeable.

ALso Dean asked this morning, they boarded a A340-600 at the end of the show, but where they sitting on a 340 or Zone A of an 747? Don't remember seeing the wall.

Was good though, the climbing to the top of a balloon - now that is scary. Already annoyed by some of the team, the guy who was the Leader chewing gum would have been reason enough to chuck him out for me. People doing cow impressions like that is one of my pet hates!

Foz xx

[preiffer]

Originally posted by fozzyo
ALso Dean asked this morning, they boarded a A340-600 at the end of the show, but where they sitting on a 340 or Zone A of an 747? Don't remember seeing the wall.

OK, this is going to sound REALLY sad, but I'll explain why I think it can only have been a 340... [:0][:(]

They were on the right hand side of the aircraft (starboard), with seats running parallel (facing each other) and no IFBT station in the way. There were about 7/8 rows being used from what I can see. If you look at the seat maps, the only config that would allow this is 8-16G&Kon a 346. 15-19G&K on a 744 doesn't have enough rows, and all other areas either face the wrong way (ie: A section of a 346) or have an obstacle.

Oh yeah - the final nail in the coffin. They were actually going to Hong Kong ("there and then", if you believed the cameras) - the VS200 is served by a 346 ;)


(I'll get my coat) [V]

Having a second look on ITV2 yesterday think it was the 346. Very tight camera angles though. The bit with the talking heads was in Zone A of a 747 though, I recognised the diamonte on the nose wall.

Wonder if they really did take off there and then, somehow I suspect not.

Entertaining episode though. Edge of seat when they were walking the plank!

Dean

I thought it was fantastic even Mrs N and the kidz watched. I had the feeling of watching Dr Who 35 years ago as they climbed onto the top of the baloon (I wanted to hide behind the sofa[:I])

Loved the programme content but felt the format of the competetition left a bit to be desired.

Was Tim really deserving of being sent home? 6 of the contestants didn't even do anything and Tim accomplished the task that he was set and seemed like a strong contestant - very unfortunate and I really felt for him.

Phil (Buffy)

That was my thought as well.
He and the girl had done something much harder than crossing between to balloons.
I would have sent home the "leader" as he totally failed in his job of getting all over and sorting out the girl who was afraid of heights.
Maybe the winner of this contest has been put in charge of UC meals? [8D]

Originally posted by AlanA
That was my thought as well.
He and the girl had done something much harder than crossing between to balloons.

Exactly - I felt if anything successful completion of the harder task should have made them immune from the chop.

I was wondering what would have happened if they had simply run out of time with one person left to make the crossing - would they have been kicked out simply because they were selected to go last?

Good show but I really want to feel the 'weakest link' is sent packing.

Phil (Buffy)

Those gold-card holders who received invites to last years summer party should continue to watch. Those in the sunny weekend, the first if I remember correctly, may remember the tight-rope task that took place. Keep you eyes open, if you were watching you may be on TV!
The winner, as you probably realise, did not become our new president, but did win $1million, and a contract of sorts. Won't reveal who it was.
Only problem we had when being given the gumph was that it was an American show, only for Americans to take part in. Bit more of a kick in the teeth given the actual staff situation in the US.
Not the biggest of successes either in terms of its US audience, so hopefully my career progress wont be to hinder by this new interview method!

the clip for tonights episode, at 8.30 ITV 2 looks like its in the UK, but they flew off to HK at the end of the last episode. These guys must have worked up some mileage

i am amazed that we had the series on TV in HK before you.. the team dynamics in the HK episode is so bad it is funny! enjoy.

Did anyone notice at the end of last weeks episode....

They board a VS 346,
An American Airlines Boeing is seen racing down the runway and
A VS 747 is seen flying into the distance

Hmmmm.

Phil (Buffy)

Send the continuity guy home

Having now watched a few of these episodes I am not sure this is show SRB in the best light. People have already been hurt and it is still early. It is ibvious to me that this is solely intended to raise the awareness of Virgin and SRB in the US.

I am wondering why the applications seem only to have been accepted or even requested from US applicants.

There is nothing wrong with the show as such, I quite enjoy it, and it is probably a good marketing ploy. But there is more to SRB than just being a 'Rebel Billionaire'. I think it is good he is showing the world how different he is from the likes of Trump, but I feel it would probably have been better the leave a little mystique regarding him and his personality.

Can you imaging the faces on the people in the meeting from his insurance company when he told them the plans for the show [8D]. It obvioulsy didn't happen, but just imagine if he had killed someone in the process, what would the marketing impact been then? Yes,you can have safety wires etc, but those crop dusters could have crashed or collided for example.

Paul

Originally posted by garthy
Those gold-card holders who received invites to last years summer party should continue to watch. Those in the sunny weekend, the first if I remember correctly, may remember the tight-rope task that took place. Keep you eyes open, if you were watching you may be on TV!

Just for information - this episode is on tonight.

Phil (Buffy)

So who watched it through to the end - what did people think.

I assume that since it is now over on UK TV we can discuss but if anybody is still waiting to see the end then read no further (spoiler ahead)....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
For my part the wrong guy won - in fact I still think Shawn should have gone home at the end of the first episode. How could someone who was never on the winning side possibly win!!

The more I watched the more I realised that SRB was looking for a 'son' and play buddy rather than the most qualified business person. I have to say that if anything it lowered my opinion of him. One of the most appealing aspects of the Apprentice is that the rules are well defined. The RB constantly changed the rules and often made up new ones at the drop of a hat - even the awarding of the prizes was wierd. It seemed particularly wierd that RB chose the teams at the point where the entire team was eliminated - placing thwo unliked characters together and then getting the other teams to choose the losing team - all felt very engineered.

Phil (Buffy)

Edit: For anyone who is interested in the ongoing story check out Shawns Blog that includes some of the things he did over the next few months as CEO of Virgin Worldwide.

I never missed an episode, even if I was away or out!! Im a sucker for reality shows! The semi final for The Apprentice II is on in 14mins and counting; although I caught the final episode in the US at Xmas.

I knew from the beginning that SRB wasn't going to make the winner the president of his entire empire! I thought it would be like Bill (from Apprentice I) having a position as project manager and 'seeing how it goes', or having a large role in one of the US virgin companies; Virgin Cola or Mobile, for example. And the twists at the end were to be expected, frankly.

In al honesty, I think out of the two finalists, I would have had chosen Sara. I was routing for her until Gabriel went - who I thought was the best out of the lot. Some of the 'adventures' as SRB put it, were savage! Even I was cringing at the tasks those poor bugger's had to go through.

All in all, good entertainment.