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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GREED (avarice, particularly for wealth and things) (01/22/15)
And now, for your local News 5, entertainment news tonight—

As auditions continue for the new reality game show “What Would You Do for a Million Dollars?” both their New York City and Chicago locations are being overrun, as unprecedented numbers of people flock to sign up as contestants.

The first show is scheduled to air next week, and it seems the four months of prime time promotion and advertising for contestants has certainly paid off. Interest seems to only be increasing for this show, as already people everywhere are being heard asking each other, “What would YOU do for a million dollars?”

The premise of this “morals versus greed” show is simple. Contestants will be asked to compromise their principles through five stages of random, computer-generated situations. With each stage completed, they will be invited to move on to a more difficult compromise; until they face the ultimate, million-dollar compromise. At each stage they will be offered smaller amounts of money to quit.

Yesterday, in a no-cameras-allowed interview with the show’s spokesman, we asked what some of those compromises might be. We were told that specific propositions could not be revealed; but to imagine situations of falsifying information, supporting causes the person thinks wrong, ignoring known needs, abandonment, unfaithfulness, prostituting and much more. But he added with a laugh, to be law abiding, the show would definitely be drawing the line at murder.

He told us they knew the show was pushing boundaries, but they were thrilled by the overwhelming response the show was generating, both from hopeful contestants and advertisers vying for spots.

In that interview, we were also told that survey polls was predicting vast numbers of viewers to be tuning in for the pilot episode next week; their most stated reason being curiosity. But the spokesman added, that the producers predict most viewers will keep watching—on the edge of their seats—wondering who will cave-in at the first compromise, and who will hang in for the big bucks.

Here at local News 5, we are rather shocked that a willingness to sell-out ones personal integrity, either for money or for some air time fame, seems so widespread. But from the turnout for auditions and the surprising number of people calling our studio for more information, it sure has us wondering. So if you would, please call our viewers’ line and let us know, "What wouldn't YOU do for money besides kill?"


Meanwhile, after the break, local News 5’s national and world headline news:
Largest to-date human trafficking cell uncovered in Texas… Shoppers complain of price gouging in the wake of crippling storms… Probe continues into an international insurance fraud ring… and Israel gearing up for escalated land conflicts…
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This article has been read 701 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
01/29/15
Powerful, intense, and a cacophany of truths in this piece that is on topic and delivered with aplomb!

Well done.

God bless~
Trace Pezzali
01/31/15
I hope no TV producer reads this and gets the idea for a reality TV show! An excellent look at greed that permeates all of culture and our human hearts. It's frightening just what people do do for money, at horrific cost to their souls. You've nailed this frightening sin in man with your clever writing.
Beth LaBuff 
02/05/15
The "national headlines" in your final paragraph say it all. I love your irony. Great work!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
02/06/15
Wow, what a compelling read. I could almost hear the newscaster. I think you nailed the topic in a fun, yet realistic way. I do believe there have been a few shows like that out there.

My only red ink would be this line:At each stage they will be offered smaller amounts of money to quit.
I know what you were saying, but it stopped the flow because it puzzled me. If people know less money will be offered to quit, wouldn't they quit right off, satisfying greed and morals? I think if you'd switched it around to something like this, I wouldn't have faltered at all: At each stage, they will be offered larger amounts of money to complete the task.

I know it's a tiny detail, but this was so good, I didn't want any distractions. Of course, I know probably most people wouldn't think twice, but the editor in me... Well you know.

The ending is beyond brilliant. I should have seen it coming, yet, I didn't, and I love it when that happens. It screams the message at the reader without being preachy. Before reading this stunning piece of art, I'd have argued it wasn't possible. You really nailed it though. Like I said, brilliant isn't enough to describe it.

Congratulations on ranking 19th overall! Happy Dance!