Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt's PM reviews debt reduction strategy, eyes more private investment    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian pound ticks down in early Tuesday trading    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt exports 175K tons of food in one week    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



'Expedition Impossible' is a Moroccan adventure
Published in Daily News Egypt on 23 - 06 - 2011

"Survivor" producer Mark Burnett has found yet another way to toy with gung-ho contestants in his new ABC series, "Expedition Impossible," which sends 13 three-person teams on a trek across daunting Moroccan terrain.
Burnett contends he's doing the folks a favor.
"I have an obligation to the contestants to give them a real adventure and not a pretend adventure. If it wasn't a real adventure they would have been cheated," says Burnett, himself a thrill-seeker who joined the British military at age 17 and served as a paratrooper.
In "Expedition Impossible," the teams struggle to be the first to conquer sun-baked dunes, snowy mountains and fast-moving rivers to win bragging rights, a car and $50,000 each.
Among them: "Grandpa's Warriors," with a 69-year-old Illinois man, his son and granddaughter; "Latin Persuasion," three New York women; "The Country Boys," longtime friends from Mississippi; "No Limits," including a blind motivational speaker and writer; and a team of three former NFL players.
Burnett, whose early series included "Eco Challenge" and its variations and who has created 22 editions of "Survivor" — as well as the corporate jungle scrum "The Apprentice" — said he's confident in his production team's ability to maximize both thrills and safety.
"Expedition Impossible" employed 400 crew and cameramen along with experienced mountain guides and others to protect the contestants, who were required to demonstrate basic skills in river-rafting, mountain climbing and horsemanship before filming, Burnett said.
No Arabian stallions, camels or people (aside from minor scrapes and scratches) were hurt during filming of the 10 episodes, ABC said.
The show's host is Dave Salmoni ("adventurer, zoologist, big cat trainer and all around risk-taker," according to a network release).
Among other tests, the teams face extreme weather, balky animals and the bemused, culture-clash observation of Moroccans.
"Why are their socks so high?" a puzzled Berber tribesman asks, eyeing a fashion-conscious trio's brightly colored knee-highs, worn despite a sizzling day.
In another scene, a team of female contestants bicker at a watering hole as a group of Berber men watch, and one is asked for his thoughts. His translated response, according to Burnett: "I wouldn't have them for my wife."
For contestants, he wanted to provide a shot at derring-do as well as a chance to realize the power of camaraderie. For viewers, Burnett's goal was to create an "Indiana Jones experience" with vicarious thrills. Or better yet, prompt couch potatoes to try making a real-world splash.
"My dream is this takes off and inspires millions of Americans to get out and do something," he said.
He has a track record at home. Before he and actress Roma Downey ("Touched by an Angel") married in 2007, her idea of adventure was "opening the window at the Four Seasons hotel," Burnett said — and he didn't make it sound like a punch line.
Downey, whose honeymoon with Burnett was a desert camping trip, is now preparing to climb Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.


Clic here to read the story from its source.