Popularity Contest, Episode 1: Who's Your Daddy?

What an uninspired name for a truly refreshing show. Where a bunch of (for the most part) city young'uns meet up with small town America for a little taste of humble pie... Reality TV style. CMT has a little treasure on their hands! This is touted as a show where ten city slickers invade a small town in Texas, hoping to win the residents over. The entire town of Vega, population 936, is involved with the show.

The contestants will live with various town folk, compete in home-style challenges, and partake in town activities. It's the residents of Vega who will vote off the least popular contestant every three days, at their county barn meeting. The contestant voted out will be escorted out of town by the town sheriff. The winner will receive $100,000 that they will split with the resident of their choice.

Meet the contestants:

• Alex is from Chicago and is a professional scout for a major league baseball team.
• Alison is a cute, bubbly blonde, originally from Miami. She doesn't know what it's like to NOT be popular. Alison is a cheerleader for the Seattle Supersonics’ dance team.
• Jason is a Las Vegas business and restaurant owner. He is also a married, expectant father.
• Jose is a model from Atlanta who likes "thick," voluptuous country gals. (boo hiss).
• Leyla is a Beverly hills fashion model She wants to do makeovers on the country folk!
• Mandell is an analyst manager from Chicago and a self-proclaimed ladies man.
• Marthia is an opera singer from New York City.
• Rory is a restaurant owner from New Jersey. She thinks her cooking will win her votes.
• Tana is a psychic medium from Columbus. He has hopes of using his healing skills to win the town over.

Thirty miles west of Amarillo, in the Texas panhandle, is where we first meet up with the contestants enjoying the comforts of a plush stretch limousine ride, en route to destination da... daa... daaa Vega, Texas. There is cell phone talking and playful chatting amongst the group. Due to the lack of great scenery outside of the limo, Mandell admires Angela's boobage but advises her to button up a bit. Angela, obviously proud of "the girls," informs him that they are California home grown. (OK Angela, I am not voting for you!) There is nothing in the outskirts of Vega except cows and a lot of manure. I guess I forgot to mention the cow population is 200,000. Did you guys remember to pack your boots and shovels?

The Oldham County Judge tells us that Vega is a farming and ranching community that has a closeness that can't be described. They are also a community of characters. Jaylene, a Vega school teacher, is a bit apprehensive. She doesn't want their new visitors to think they are a bunch of hicks. Vega is also a very religious town with the school having very strict and proper dress codes. (Angela, remember to button that shirt up!)

Welcome to Vega! The limo comes to a halt in the middle of nowhere! The contestants are greeted by sheriff David Madlin. Rory thinks he is quite a character. "He could be Yosemite Sam's brother!" Jonathan Torrens, Popularity Contest host, introduces himself to the group and informs them that they will each get their own set of wheels. Yep, two of ‘em! Every new member of Vega gets a shiny new bike! How cool is that? Now they are all to peddle their butts to the county barn so the town folks can have a look see! Jason is really excited to meet the people of Vega and really wants to win them over. (Jason is officially my first favorite contestant).

At the meeting barn, the contestants take turns stepping up to the mike and introducing themselves. Marthia tells the folks that, hopefully, she will get to sing for all of them. Mandell describes himself as a goofy guy, and offers to take his shirt off for the crowd. He's kidding, he's kidding! Leyla is happy meeting all the wonderful people and just wants to win their votes. Jose chooses to wow the crowd by boasting of his world-renowned eight year modeling career, whereas Angela takes the "I'm from a small town, too" approach. Alex shares that he always loved playing baseball in warm and friendly small towns, and Rory hopes to cook for everyone. "So that's a good thing!" (Echoes of Martha Stewart pound in my head.) Tana sees spirit guides and angels around people and he'll be glad to answer any questions from the town folk. Jason thanks the town for opening their doors and welcoming them, while Ali (aka Alison) wants to experience the thrill of cheerleading for their Friday night football games.

The Vega folks are in awe of these big city contestants. "Vega is going to get a big dose of multi-culture and diversity that we don't have. We lead a sheltered life," one resident shares.

Now that Vega has met the contestants it is time for the contestants to meet the citizens! Tables have been placed all over the barn room with groups of town folk surrounding each of them. A cowbell will ring and the contestants are to meet with the different groups for three minutes. When the bell bongs again, they are to change tables, moving on to the next group of folks. BONG... they're off. Let the table mingling begin!

Folks want to know if Jose has a girlfriend. Angela admires all the beautiful children. She thinks a little kid runway show is a grand idea. Tana is busy feeling auras. "Don't worry about your hips," he tells a complete stranger. Leyla thinks this "speed dating" approach to meeting people is very nerve racking. BONG, musical tables is over. Host Jonathan tells the crowd that the contestants have now made lots of friends but have no place to live! Fortunately, some Vega folks have offered up their homes to share. Little Charlie, a young Vega boy, is going to pull resident names from a cowboy hat. The name pulled will get to choose the contestant they want to share their home with.