FOX Plans No Exit from 'Eden'

[Brian]

What kind of person is so tired of their real life that they'd go on a reality television show that might never end? Viewers will soon find out, as FOX takes its second stab at reality television's equivalent of the perpetual motion machine with "Forever Eden."
When it was originally presented, FOX's summer reality entry "Paradise Hotel" was positioned as a reality show with a twist -- every week one person would be cast out of paradise and a viewer would be voted in. The number of guests would remain in constant equilibrium. In theory, FOX press releases suggested, the show might never end. However, after several months of solid demographic ratings and constantly changing rules, a nearly arbitrary conclusion was added and the show did, indeed, come to an end.

Not surprisingly, "Forever Eden" comes from U.K.-based Mentorn and the "Paradise Hotel" producers. Once again, the show will focus on a group of sexy singles staying at a luxury resort. The show hopes to capitalize on the same insularity and stir-crazy dementia which fueled "Paradise Hotel."


"Their stay could be six months," FOX reality guru Mike Darnell tells Television Week. "It could be three years. The idea is they are not going on a reality show. They are actually divorcing themselves from their lives. They will become like soap stars, because they are going to be there for what could be a very long time."
The show's creative minds have yet to determine how the singles will be added and subtracted from the resort, but the more time they spend, the more money they will accumulate. Residents who are voted out will get to keep half of the money they've earned (if "earned" is the correct word for it). Anybody who wants to leave will be allowed to do so, but residents who bail in favor of things like contact with friends, family and jobs won't make a dime.

To keep up with the show's soap opera ethos, there will be constant twists and turns in the game.

"Even though they are living in luxury and it's going to be wonderful, we are going to introduce elements to make it not so wonderful," Darnell promises. "Surprise guests may arrive, who are there to stir things up, who won't necessarily be members of the cast but could be people from their lives or their past."

If that sounds a bit like "Paradise Hotel," where loved ones made occasional cameos and where deported guests were never entirely gone, it probably should.

FOX has ordered 25 episodes of "Eden" and casting has already begun. The series, which should premiere sometime during the spring, won't necessarily prevent FOX from returning to "Paradise Hotel" next summer.

Somewhere, perpetual reality star Toni is relieved.

[Doom]

I may watch it if there isn't anything better on

[crappertay]

Their stay could be six months, it could be three years or it could be 4 episodes before it gets pulled.

[masterthes]

Very intriguing.