“The Mole” is the Rodney Dangerfield of reality shows.
It gets no respect.
“Survivor,” while not as popular as it once was, still generates considerable watercooler buzz. Over 18 million viewers watched the first edition of “The Bachelor.” MTV’s “Real World” has been on the air for, like, 35 years.
No one, it seems, cares about “The Mole”–not even its own network. ABC yanked it after only two episodes the last time around.
ABC’s engaging and clever reality series deserves more respect–and viewers. Let’s hope it’ll get both when “Celebrity Mole Hawaii” debuts at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Six out-of-work, C-list actors (Stephen Baldwin; Corbin Bernsen; Michael Boatman; Kim Coles; Kathy Griffin, Erik von Detten) and one hot supermodel (Frederique) participate in wacky games (jumping off cliffs, herding sheep) while also trying to figure out who among them is The Mole.
“The Mole,” is a double agent planted by the producers to sabotage the group’s efforts to win dough, up to $250,000. At the end of each episode, the contestants take a 10-question quiz about The Mole’s identity. The person who knows the least is “executed” and must go home.
It’s a hoot watching the one-time “L.A. Law” stud Bernsen get visibly annoyed with Coles during a game of sheep blackjack.
Don’t ask. A reality show that entertains while making you think is certainly worth watching.
