Top Affiliate Challenge Episodes 2,3 and 4

I've finally got the chance to view TAC episodes 2, 3, and 4 along with reading other people's comments of the show. I really don't want to add to the negativity of the show that seems to be in everyone's posts because I really don't see the point. I mean, yeah, the production isn't first class, the host leaves a lot to be desired (except for the wizard of oz songs at the end of episode four, can I get more of that wierdness please?), and it doesn't teach a lot, but to be honest I'm hooked on it, and I hate reality shows.

So why am I hooked? I think it's mainly because of the people on the show. I've followed the blogs of John Chow and Jeremy Schoemaker for quite some time and I've met Jeremy a few times now through NPMMO meetings so just seeing them on camera is fun. As for the rest of the contestants, I didn't know who any of them were before the show (not even the apparently infamous Jonathan van Clute guy), so it's been cool to see who they are and what they can do. I guess I think it is interesting to see how people are networked and who they are friends with. It really shows that part of affiliate marketing is about who you know.

It's also pretty interesting to see how people will whine when put into a position like this. I think that team XY7 whines more than my 4 year old daughter. It's hilarious and think that's probably why they are losing. They pretty much screw themselves in episodes 3 and 4 because they can't play with the punches being thrown at them, and instead of stepping up to the challenge they totally whine about it. If you do that in real life you lose too.

Things really got interesting in Episode 4 when Jeremy's team pulled ahead and got the #1 spot for the day, team XY7 lost another member, and team XY7 and team Toolbarn were combined. Jeremy is apparently stepping down for a bit or indefinitely since his wife went into labor 3 weeks early and gave birth to a yet unnamed little girl. It will be cool to see if he comes back on the show and what his role will be.

Looking forward to more episodes tomorrow and all next week.