I'm A Celebrity has always been one of the more enjoyable of the reality television shows. This can be attributed to the fact that the general public loves watching celebrities struggling to cope with demands after having the hand of fame to guide them for so long. Over the years the series has thrown up some classic moments and has made stars of some unlikely celebrities (Carol Thatcher anyone!).
It all started to become a bit of a bore after the shenanigans of Peter Andre and Jordan. The prospect of romance in the jungle created a frenzy in the media with the result being that the producers of the programme jumped on the age old adage of sex sells...for further proof of this just check out Big Brother.
So who are the "celebrities" following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Kerry Katona, John Lydon and Christopher Biggins. Taking the mantle of old wise celebrity we get the choice of George Takei (Sulu from Star Trek) and Robert Kilroy Silk. Esther Rantzen and Martina Navratilova take the female side of the equation. So far, so good...it could be a recipe for plenty of inspiring conversation and argument.
And the rest...three models offering lads the chance to ogle at them in their bikinis, an ex-Blue Peter presenter, an ex-soap star and the obligatory politician. Names need not be mentioned as it is very likely that the audience will struggle to remember them. This is where the desperation of the people of have witnessed five minutes of fame comes through.
The tasks have always been the most enjoyable part of the show as it gives viewers a chance to vote for which celebrity will undertake the ordeal. Whether it is sticking their head into a bucket full of spiders and snakes or being buried alive it is a credit to the producers that they make it look so dangerous.
It is this danger that keeps a public hooked. The reactions of the celebrities can also induce sadistic undertones in the voting where they will constantly vote for the person who looks like they are least enjoying it. It is a case of knocking them off their high horse and punishing them for appearing in Heat magazine too many times.
It is perhaps a shame then that any self-respecting viewer will realize that the tasks are not really dangerous. There is no way the producers of the show would risk a death of a celebrity or a huge insurance payout. All they do to add to the "reality" of the dangerous task is to add a couple of bush rangers who are skilled in the craft of sucking snake blood out of a wound.
So who will win this year? Does the public care? Unfortunately yes, they will vote in their masses and the "celebrities" will get their column inches and that newfound fame they so desire. You just have to ask yourself, is fame really that important? The one who will win is the one who will see through all the facade and get on with the job without feeling the need to whore themselves publicly.
