The Rebel Billionaire, Episode 9: Virgins in Space

On last week’s show, our band of billionaire wanabees revisited the world of publicity stunts and foreign environments in Tokyo. Presentations were made, and two of our intrepid gang had the honor of being the “high”-lights of a Virgin picnic. You can read about it here.

At this stage of the game, our potential presidents have visited four continents, eight countries and flown over 50,000 miles. Ten have been sent home, and only six remain!

The episode begins with the contestants on the beach at Fisher Island in Miami, Florida. Fisher Island is a very upscale area that people like me don’t know anything about. Branson splits the six remaining players into three teams of two. He quickly pairs up Nicole and Erica because he thinks they want to be together. Erica would be just as happy to have another playmate for a change. Then Shawn and Sara are paired up, as are Gabriel and Heather. Gabe isn’t too happy about being with Heather again, because she likes to pit other players against each other. All three duos have been together several times already. So, we have three happy duos!

This week’s challenges center on a theme of “the future” and “space travel.” With the assistance of production teams, they have $4,000 and 48 hours to create a 30-second commercial to advertise Virgin Galactic Airways. The losing team will be cut!

While talking with Shawn, Erica tries to separate herself from Nicole. She claims that she’s a different person from Nicole (granted) and, “I’ve been really, really careful to not to be strong and offensive toward people” (not granted).

Trying to dissociate from Nicole, this is a good idea, because Nicole is target #1 in this game. But you’re #1A, Erica. Perhaps you’re the junior member of Evil Stepsisters Inc., but you have a seat on the board of directors! It doesn’t look like Shawn is really buying what you’re selling, but he gives the impression of listening impartially.

The teams are planning their commercials. Shawn and Sara pick up on the theme “Virgins In Space,” which Shawn sees as “risky.” Gabe wants to do a more serious effort using stock footage to instill a sense of awe in the viewer.

And TBBB (“The Brunette Bully Brigade”)? While talking about space, Erica says, “What’s going to make them (meaning, clients) want to go there? A hot stewardess!” And “stewardesses in space” and “the 100-mile-high club” dominate their thoughts. Cla-ssy!

The teams meet with their production assistants next. Heather is getting nervous about the unthinkable possibility that despite her real-life job of making educational videos, she could lose this challenge to The Brunettes. She says, “I’m not only going to have to quit my industry but I’m going to have to kill myself!” You know, that’s a valid concern!

Gabe and Heather are the real ones being risky – instead of going with rock and roll or sex yet again, they are going to try and appeal to Sir Richard’s softer side. Gabe wants to “give him Goosebumps and make him cry.” I will defer to their greater expertise, but we don’t see that side on camera, do we? Too bad, it would make for a better show.

As Shawn and Sara pitch their idea to their production assistant, he is glad to hear it essentially consists of cobbling together several man-in-the-street reaction shots. He was a little nervous about having to build a spaceship or something, knowing that it would surely look cheap and cheesy.

So, you know that TBBB are having a spaceship set built. However, I will give these girls fair credit here – they have the whole ad storyboarded, the set is sketched out, and they’ve thought about costuming as well. So at least their production team has something to shoot towards… but you just know how cheesy it’s going to look.

It’s the next day, and time for filming. Shawn and Sara are out on the streets of Miami, and the weather is raining on Shawn’s parade. It’s a real heavy rain, maybe even worse than during the London soccer game. Even for $20, they can’t get people to stop and give them five minutes of their time. Of course, trying to work the morning rush hour crowd, that’s not likely to be overly productive even on a sunny day.

Heather and Gabe are filming Sir Richard. They’re going to use him to “brand” the ad as one for a Virgin company. He delivers a great line, “Because… you only live once!” and it is magnificent and they LOVE it!

TBBB are getting ready to film, too. For some reason it’s Nicole and not Erica who’s going to be the flight attendant. Just as well, for Erica can tell Nicole how to smile. She says, “Be natural,” but maybe it should have been, “Imagine snapping Heather’s neck!”

Shawn and Sara catch a break – the weather improves and they can start filming. Now that it’s a little later in the day, people seem more receptive to them. I have to say that at this time, their idea looks even worse than TBBB’s, but, as every fan of reality TV knows, you can create magic in the editing room.

The next clips show that maybe Erica had a good idea earlier about mixing up the teams. Shawn and Sara and Heather and Gabe have been on the same teams for several episodes, and they are starting to break down. Neither is tolerant of the others suggestions and the tension as they work are very discernable. However, TBBB have been together even longer and they are most definitely having fun with their commercial, and they are getting along just fine!

Suffice it to say, everyone finishes their ad and they all feel they have a winner. Everyone’s friends with their partner again.