Utopia (US) Live Feed Discussion

[clod]

Apparently there were raccoons on the grounds last night.  Have they been there before? 

 

 

the new landscape might draw some critters in, exploring for food opportunities.

 

though I wonder why raccoons have not been trying to get kitchen scraps or checking the pond perimeter for tasty frogs and stuff.

 

 

 

the new landscaping looks nice and green.   hope it stays that way.

 

[henripootel]

Viewers will supply gifts, then send money to buy the "crafts" they all make, and the utopians will continue to drink, screw, argue, and not build a society.

Remember when you 'earned your own money' by having a lemonade stand using a box you got from your parents and supplies they bought for you?  And all their friends stopped by and praised you for lukewarm cups of drink even though you forgot to add sugar?  That was IBM compared to these bozos.  Their fake economics are even more glaring than their entirely-scripted antagonism and petty theft.

Apparently there were raccoons on the grounds last night.  Have they been there before?

I'd bet they've been around all along - coons are amazingly stealthy and clever.  Once they know there's food to be had you'll need a perimeter guard and locking trash cans to deter them.

Edited November 2, 2014 by henripootel

[ElleryAnne]

He says he wants James to stay because he thinks that James will clean up the filthy living quarters.

 

 

I suppose he doesn't say anything about why he can't clean up the living quarters himself.

 

 

Cal's waiting for her so he can start deprogramming her in case her brush with a gentleman started to make Cal look bad.

 

 

A brush with a tick-covered feral skunk would make Cal look bad in comparison.

 

 

I wonder why raccoons have not been trying to get kitchen scraps

 

 

Maybe they saw Aaron's cooking.  Even the raccoons don't want it.

Edited November 2, 2014 by ElleryAnne

[RedheadZombie]

I watched the feeds (for the first time in a long time) for a little while last night.  Everyone seemed to be in good spirits.  The people not on dates played cards at the table, while Amanda was sitting with them on the computer.  Either Taylor or one of the new guys (can't tell them apart yet) let out a classy loud fart.  Amanda laughed but said it was disgusting.  It also made her bottom shake - and she has a big bottom (per Amanda).

 

There was a singing session that was pretty cute.  I tuned into the middle of it.  They had written the song and it was cute (it mocked things like running out of hay, etc).  I think it was Chris playing the guitar and singing, and Nashville wanna-be Kristen was harmonizing as loud as she could.  They didn't sound bad.  The camera stayed zoomed in on Nikki.  She had a big grin on her face, but I couldn't tell if she was just being polite, or if she really thought they sounded good.

 

For the first time I saw a make out session - Chris and his date.  The man's got some moves.  The camera operators definitely tried to make it more titillating.  The camera kept suddenly zooming in on Chris' hands when they were only rubbing her side or leg.  I think the camera guys think they're directing porn.  Strangely, at one point, the camera shifted and zoomed in tight on a pile of kindle (I think) - I'm not sure what that meant.  Chris reminds me a lot of Dede, in that I think they have a hard time separating affection from sex.   We've seen a lot of Nikki just cuddling, but C and D need kissing/groping/hand jobs/etc.  I've watched a documentary on polyamory, and I felt they had very gray boundaries.  If her husband had a girlfriend, she wanted to "play" with the woman too - even if the woman wasn't interested.  Another woman wore condoms with her own husband, but "fluid bonded" with her boyfriend.  They just seemed very hyper-sexual.

 

I continue to be disappointed in how limited the feeds are.  Why have four streams when 1/2 are always focused on the same scene, and 3/4 do the same.  It's frustrating because half the feeds are on someone you despise (Aaron), so you're potentially stuck with all four feeds on people you're disinterred in (Cal).  You would think the camera people would have adapted by now. The streams aren't always synced, either.  It's weird to see someone talking in this group, but also be in another location doing something else.  I've never watched the BB feeds, but they seem to cover everything (non-production related).  You can also rewind to exact dates and times, which sounds pretty cool.

 

I saw a pic yesterday of Nikki and Cal(?) painting in the bathroom.  There were cameras mounted in there - yuck!  I also thought I saw a bathroom sink, which makes me wonder why people continue to brush their teeth, etc. in the kitchen sink.

[Etta Place]

I caught the tail end of ex-Amish guy directing them for the day. He'll be back tomorrow to see what they thought of the system.

 

They didn't even wait till he was out of the gate to start complaining about all the work they were supposed to do. Bella also promptly got into round 2 of the great Laundry Soap Is Killing You discussion. Amanda said she didn't think she should work around "certain people" today and went to wash the dishes instead. Bella got in Nikki's face for not telling her that she (Nikki) had already ordered some biodegradable soap that should arrive soon. "You're a doctor, Nikki!" Bella said as a reason why Nikki should have informed her that it had been ordered. Yeah, I don't get the logic there either.

[ElleryAnne]

The streams aren't always synced, either.  It's weird to see someone talking in this group, but also be in another location doing something else.

 

 

Kinda takes the "live" out of live feed.  Unless the topes all have evil twins, which could explain a few things.

[Pixel]

And....it's officially been cancelled. Guess Cal better step up his moves on Nikki. He's running out of time.

[SunshineOnMe]

Just popping in to say thank you to Zahdii and other recappers! :)

[clod]

would like to see it announced on an official channel

[whack-a-mole]

Did anybody tell them?

[ottoDbusdriver]

And....it's officially been cancelled. Guess Cal better step up his moves on Nikki. He's running out of time.

 

So ...... I guess Amanda won't be having the first baby on reality TV.

 

All that money spent fixing up the place in the last week or so --  a complete waste.

 

Damn, I so wanted to watch Shadychef get voted out.

 

ETA:  This is Failtopia -- we can kill a brand new tv show, with our shitty antics and bad behavior.

 

ETA2:  I hope Cash, Honey and Betsy find a nice new home.

Edited November 2, 2014 by ottoDbusdriver

[pennben]

well, now I want to subscribe to the feeds to see the end of times.

[Uncle Benzene]

And....it's officially been cancelled.

 

And...

 

Dear Udopians,

 

Bye Felicia.

 

Fuck pretty much every last one of you.

 

Have a nice day.

 

Sincerely,

Everybody

 

 

ETA: The really sad part of it all is that, once they've run through MasterChef Jr., you know FOX is just gonna replace Utopia with something even worse.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Uncle Benzene

[clod]

welp.

 

if it cancels, might be fun to turn off camera movements, and see how long it takes them to notice that the cameras aren't moving.

 

 

"FEEDS WILL BE DOWN A MOMENT
Enjoy some of our favorite highlights while producers meet with the Utopians."

 

 

 

 

 

 

y'all better hurry and bid on that artwork!

 

 

 

 

Edited November 2, 2014 by clod

[ElleryAnne]

I stopped watching the show a month ago.  I watched less than a couple of hours worth of live feed time.  And I couldn't stand most of the topes.  But I'm sorry to see it go, because this board has been great.  Thank you to all the recappers and everyone else, too.  It's been fun.

[clod]

production has one last bit of fun.   they call a no-notice emergency vote-off.  one new guy and one seasoned pioneeer have to be voted off, now.   no discussion allowed.

 

(one guy in the backgound records it with cell phone)

[ottoDbusdriver]

I wonder if Mose will be back tomorrow to check on how much progress was made with their work assignments today.  </snark>

[clod]

I wonder if Mose will be back tomorrow to check on how much progress was made with their work assignments today.  </snark>

 

he might see the empty compound, all wired up and ready, and flash-propose another Amish reality show!

 

 

----------------------------

 

conception, pitching, green-lighting, budget discussions, planning, building the compound, casting, production, behind-the-scenes hijinks, conflicts, surprises, legal, the animal people, filming, editing,   ratings,   attempts to keep it going,........

 

there is enough stuff there for someone to write a book.  yeah.

Edited November 2, 2014 by clod

[ottoDbusdriver]

he might see the empty compound, all wired up and ready, and flash-propose another Amish reality show!

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Cal stayed and started a new commune. </snark>

[riverheightsnancy]

Yup, it's been great. But I have seen some of you on Survivor, Top Chef, Good Wife, Hell on Wheels, Bates Motel, Gracepoint, Amazing Race, so we are still around! 

Just hoping that the animals go to a good home. 

[ottoDbusdriver]

It's been fun everybody.  So much to snark on, so little time as it turned out.

 

And I'd like to thank Nikki, Dedeker, Hex and Bri for the eye candy back in early September -- or as what I like to refer to as "the good old days on the Utopia live feeds"  before the audio/video censoring became unbearable.

[backformore]

Did anybody tell them?

I hope not. I still like the idea of the utopians thinking they're still on tv, while everyone else abandons the project. The gate is locked, internet is cancelled, they have no contact with the outside world. They might actually have to grow their own food, govern themselves, and everything else that was part of the original premise.

Oh well. It's been fun. See you all on other forums.

[ShellyD]

Thanks to all the recappers, you guys did a great job! Kinda wish they would air just one more show so we could see the reactions.

[mmal]

I guess I'm relieved that it's finally over.

I watch TV to relax, and obsessively following this thing has drained the life out of me, like the way that Aaron's crappy food drains the group and "former" neo-nazi Cal's brainwashing drains Nikki.

The snark here is the only thing that's kept me sane with respect to this show. Now it's back to real life, and more positive endeavors, for me.

Thanks, everyone. It's been a blast.

[RedheadZombie]

 

he might see the empty compound, all wired up and ready, and flash-propose another Amish reality show!

 

So not interested in that.  The Amish are notorious for their puppy mills (they think puppies are "livestock") and Lancaster County is considered the puppy mill capital of the US.

[henripootel]

Thanks for the chance to snark, Kroll - your 'vision' for the show sucked balls.  My personal thanks to all who suffered long and hard, watching the unwatchable and giving us the highlights.  You guys are vikings.  Possibly we'll all meet one day when we die, when we find ourselves on the maggot-infested set like Jack and Rose at the end of Titanic.  Can't say I'd prefer that as an afterlife but given the life I lead, I'll take it.

 

See ya'll on the other side.

 

ETA: Mrs. Pootel took the cancellation news stoically.  "They should have a PA announcement to the Topes: 'Welcome to the first annual Hunger Games.  The food you have is all you get till next year.'  I'd watch that."

Edited November 3, 2014 by henripootel

[hincandenza]

Lol. I mean, LOL. I was off by a couple of weeks, but LOL.

The sad part? With this cancelation, the big winner is... Aaron. He got the maximum stipend like the other original cast, but also stole cash into his own pocket, and ordered goods shipped directly to his home address. He has made more money than any other Utopian.

Thanks, Fox. Thanks, John De Mol. Thanks, hippykid Kroll. You made a mess, and unlike anyone inside Utopia, you actually faced consequences for your actions.

And I can live with that. Now, if we're lucky, we can watch the Dopes handle the good news.

[RedheadZombie]

Is it obvious that Fox will stop charging for feeds, or do I have to call and cancel?

[hincandenza]

Good question- they shut them down today, but while the site is up I'd go check. Their new CFO Aaron Thomas might try some shady financial scams as they're shutting the whole production down.

Edited November 2, 2014 by hincandenza

[CaptainCurmudgeon]

Obviously came as a suprise to the producers as well: look at all the recent sand -- the new plants, the paint, the beds, the glass works, etc. -- pounded down this noxious rathole.

 

Thanks to all here -- easily the best part of the whole deal.  And extra thanks to our brave recappers.  Without your work there would have been nothing to snark at.

 

When I first came here, I think I posted about how I came just to see how bad this show could get.  I was not disappointed.

[4leafclover]

Great--the live feeds went down earlier this afternoon, showing highlights and recaps, so I left for awhile....then I return to a black screen and a message that the live feeds are canceled and this is the last day for the Utopians.  No explanation, no peek into the reaction of the people we've followed for 66 days, no offers for a withdrawal program, no 12 step meetings to deal with the sudden departure.....just a black screen.

 

Not seeing Aaron and Kristen voted off is like getting so close to a sneeze and then.....nothing.  I need CLOSURE!  I don't appreciate this at all!

[ottoDbusdriver]

I guess Production wasn't kidding when they told the Topes they would have to stay off the new sod for two weeks. </snark>

 

I wonder who took the money out of the safe on the way out the door ?

Edited November 3, 2014 by ottoDbusdriver

[In Pog Form]

Thanks to everybody, especially the masochists feed recappers. It's been quite a ride.

Will some of you keep an eye out for any post-show interviews or media coverage, and post them on the "media" board?

[clod]

I wonder who took the money out of the safe on the way out the door ?

 

 

if there was a smart one, they would empty the safe before, as soon as a meeting is announced. 

any meeting.

 

 

was the voting for the next three already finished?   might be nice to know who was nominated to leave.

Edited November 3, 2014 by clod

[CaptainCurmudgeon]

... was the voting for the next three already finished?

That was my first clue that the whole thing was kablooie: I went to the site to vote and I couldn't.  Think the web people may have been laid off a little before the Topes.  Frustrating not to be able to vote for one of Aaron, Cal, (tied: Kristen & Taylor).

[kib]

I think we're about two or three weeks away from this thing evaporating, not with a bang but a whimper.

Damn, missed the call by two days...

 

Hey kids, it's been a genuine hoot.  There are some immensely witty and talented folks that have participated in chronicling this little bit of Tee Vee heaven.  Hope I have the honor and pleasure of batting it around with you at the next trainwreck.

 

Ciao

[DeLurker]

Chris is probably going to blame it on booze, but he asked Kristen to be his 'stand-in' girlfriend.

The cancellation = Chris' Christmas present

The awesome badness of Utopia would not have been tolerable without y'all. Thanks to all the recappers who risked their blood pressure and mental health for our shared enjoyment.

Being cast as a Tope is like having your face on a Most Wanted poster in the post office. You know what they look like now. If you see one, run, do not walk, away.

Edited November 3, 2014 by DeLurker

[Matt K]

I think I got it exactly.  Said it wouldn't last past Halloween.  That said, really enjoyed reading all the posts.  Thanks to all!

 

ETA: Well apparently while I thought it I didn't say anything.

 

Also huge thanks to those who were actually watching the feeds.  You all deserve medals.

Edited November 3, 2014 by Matt K

[Latverian Diplomat]

though I wonder why raccoons have not been trying to get kitchen scraps 

Despite their reputation for cleaning their food(*), the Udopian kitchen scraps are probably too vilely contaminated for the most diligent of raccoons.

 

(*) Fun fact that spoils the joke. Raccoon food washing is probably not about cleaning it. 

 http://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/raccoons-wash-food1.htm

 

Since we seem to be saying our goodbyes, thanks to all the snarky commenters, and especially to the feed recappers who made many a silk purse of entertainment for us here out of the sow's ear that was Utopia.

[clod]

Being cast as a Tope is like having your face on a Most Wanted poster in the post office. You know what they look like now. If you see one, run, do not walk, away.

 

 

 

[Matt K]

Also there is a small chance that the only people to get money are Red and Rob.  Most reality shows require that the episode airs before they give away any cash/prizes.  Since the show didn't last a year and the episode where any of the remaining cast members got eliminated didn't air, its possible (but unlikely) that they won't get paid.  At the very least it seems like James and Jeremy did this for free.

[clod]

James and Jeremy had the ideal three-day tour.

 

 

 

I am a-bettin'  that they will get paid.      if they don't , I predict some mechanic's liens on that property!   hahah

 

 

if a few of them partnered up, they could get some morning talk show interviews, entertainment interviews, etc.  I bet if four of them offered a group interview, they would have takers.

Edited November 3, 2014 by clod

[4leafclover]

 

Will some of you keep an eye out for any post-show interviews or media coverage, and post them on the "media" board?

 

We may not see them on any post-show interviews but I predict we'll be seeing them billed as "stars" at the next grocery store opening (or maybe the newest Sprouts opening!), boat show or being called out in the audience of American Idol.  Maybe even Dancing With the Stars in about 3 or 4 years.  

[hincandenza]

Also there is a small chance that the only people to get money are Red and Rob.  Most reality shows require that the episode airs before they give away any cash/prizes.  Since the show didn't last a year and the episode where any of the remaining cast members got eliminated didn't air, its possible (but unlikely) that they won't get paid.  At the very least it seems like James and Jeremy did this for free.

 

This is about as trivial a topic as can be, and we won't ever know for sure... but I'd bet money they'll all be paid out.  They had a stipend which I believe is pretty much just scale, and would be paid even if the production never saw the light of day.  For all the things we might say about the producers' tone-deaf execution, I doubt they'd short change people over so little.

 

On the flip side, I can't find the thread, but one of the Reddit threads on /r/UtopiaFOX had someone mentioning their dad worked behind the scenes on the show, and had allegedly been promised the show would run at least another month (sounds like Kroll was surprised too, given his tweets and the new work done on the compound).  So I do feel bad for the mere minions who are taking a hit to the wallet just as holiday season starts.

[clod]

the pioneers are given a nice going away gift.....

 

 

[DeLurker]

Aaron really should use that as the background for his business card.

[Zahdii]

Now what am I going to do for snark?

 

Farewell Utopia threads posters.  It was fun, but I think we all saw this coming.  The wrong network had it, the wrong people ran it, and the wrong people were cast for it. 

 

But I'll see you all on other threads.  Your kind words on my recaps made my day many times.  Thank you all.

[EverCat]

Yes, we saw the writing on the wall (forum ;).  If only Zahdii had been hosting the show, it would have been a massive hit.  

 

Thanks all for the snark/recaps/humour.  It was fun while it lasted. 

 

(At least I got my vote in for Dede, who should know Día de los Muertos is Nov 2, but very unsatifsying in the end)

[RedheadZombie]

I'm concerned about Cash. She's a pet and now she's going to possibly end up in a veal box. Maybe Red will take her and she can be friends with the poor pit chained to a free.

In a factory farm, male baby chicks probably would have been killed by now. Wish I could take all of the animals.

[green]

Posted in media thread to celebrate the outstandingly great news but came over to this thread to thank all the intrepid re-cappers here.  Great job, guys.

 

Glad the show ended with a fizzle without any final summery episode or wrap-up.  Makes these creeps fade into obscurity quicker than yesterday's newspaper.

 

Glad Kroll crashed and burned.  And apparently taken by surprise by the quick cancellation.  Frosting on the cake.  Glad to see the self-absorbed, arrogant ones get humbled.

 

Thanks again, re-cappers.  Now back to a pretty darn good season of TAR.