Popularity Contest, Episode 3: Wash Her Mouth Out With Soap!

Popularity Contest - A show where ten city slickers invade a small town in Texas, in hopes of winning the residents over. The entire town of Vega, population 936, is involved in the show, and it’s the residents themselves who will decide who will be crowned the most popular. The contestants are competing for $100,000, which they will split with the town person of their choice. Every three days a town vote will be held at the County Barn and the losing contestant will be escorted out of town by the Sheriff.

The remaining contestants are:

• Alex - Professional Baseball Scout
• Ali - Cheerleader
• Jason - Business and Restaurant Owner
• Jose - Model
• Mandell - Computer Analyst
• Marthia - Opera Singer
• Rory – Chef, Current Most Popular Contestant
• Tana - Psychic Medium

Leyla and Angela have been escorted from the town.

At the County Barn, it's after the vote and the folks still have one thing left to do. It's time for the town people to pick a contestant to bring home. Vega resident, little Casey, is brought to the stage to pick names from a cowboy hat. The first host family pulled is the Walker family who chooses Alex. The Kirklands take Ali, Mandell goes with the Richardsons, Jason is chosen by the McDonald family, Rory is picked by the Harles, and Jose, the Fairchilds. Once again, Marthia and Tana remain the bottom two. The Armadondos step up to the stage to pick Marthia. Poor Tana! This is the third time he has stood there alone. He thinks there is a lesson that he is not seeing. The Parsley family relieves him of his anguish. He finally has a home.

The contestants have lots to ponder on! Ali was shocked that Angela went home. Rory knows she has got to learn to watch her potty mouth. Tana says that by befriending Inez, his stud meter has gone way up.

Jason pulls out some wallet size pictures of him and his brother, to share with host Mom McDonald. He and his brother are posing in their boxer shorts! Does he share these with everyone? Nah (just host Moms, I guess.) The truth of the matter is, Jason is a model! He didn't want to go on the show stereotyped as an arrogant, cocky model. He's not that way! He wanted the people to get to know the real him. I've got to admit he is a hottie!

The contestants have the morning off to spend as they please. The Texas panhandle weather has left a lot to be desired. It has changed from sunny and warm to snowy, wet, and windy. Great bicycling weather, don’t’cha think? As Rory jogs in the cold, she shares that she is worried that the town will start trash talking her. Too late, Rory! It has clearly begun. Quincy Taylor, the Vega Newspaper Editor, is on a mission. She has received five calls already about Rory's swearing at the school. She is going to expose Rory for the foul-mouthed person she is!

It's day seven and the big city contestants one week anniversary. Host Jonathan (also known as Gerald of Joe Schmo 2 fame) meets them at the town library for their Community Service Project. You guessed it! The contestants have to work at the library. The three that volunteer to do window decorating are Marthia, Rory, and Mandell. Mandell says that the women are both very demanding and butt heads (heh heh, I mean they butt heads!). Working with Marthia and Rory is like watching a mini cat fight. Marthia says that Rory is competitive and cut throat, while she just wants to be real. Marthia doesn't want to put on airs or be fake. Rory, on the other hand, says Marthia is a bitch who only cares about herself and her singing. Mandell, playing the invisible man, just sits back and enjoys the show.

The other contestants help the librarian put away books and work the desk. As one resident checks out a book, he's told he has $1583.42 in late fees. The check is in the mail. No matter, have a nice day!

The Service Project is over and Host Jon announces their challenge. The contestants will be teaming up in twos to play Flag Football. There will be four teams: The Hearts, Dogs, Cats and Unicorns. Each group has one day is to find a Vega resident to complete their team.

Rory and Jose immediately scoot over to the Harle home to call her pal Klay. As an added bonus, she'll be able to flirt with him too! Jose thinks if they lose at least Rory will feed him.

Jason and Ali of the Unicorn team score big by grabbing up Coach Todd Schroeder, the Assistant Football Coach of the Vega Longhorns.

Some contestants have a different game plan. Marthia says she's not preparing for the game at all. You have to know your strengths and flag football is not one of hers. She and her resident songwriter pal Doug, opt to practice their songs. Doug has written a song about a big town girl with a small town guy. It's fate I tell ya. He has a crush on her! (Have I mentioned that Marthia's face reminds me of the infamous Jerry Manthey's mug from Survivor: Outback?)