Surreal Life

[nordictoad2]

Surreal Life is ON TONIGHT. I am watching it now and glad to report Corey and Corky can be seen a number of times.

Which of the Stars get nekkid? You have to watch to see.

[nordictoad2]

Surreal Life is ON TONIGHT. I am watching it now and glad to report Corey and Corky can be seen a number of times.

Which of the Stars get nekkid? You have to watch to see.

[Mike1986]

I saw it, but imo it was weak. its like they were making the nude people as some kind of nasty people or something. and they were like "eww they have small wee-wees!" I dunno, it was ok to me but i didnt like how they talked abut the nudists behind theyre back, like trishelle...on every episode of the real world she was naked with sum randon dude, but here she was like "OMG NO!!" but at least she gt naked at the end. BUt i gotta give it some props cuz it sold nudism a bit more to the public (although half of it was negative) All in all, about a 6 out of 10 rating to me.

[NumberOneNudist]

I didn't notice the mention of it on the website until now, so I missed it... dangit.

[luvnaturism]

I was hoping for something positive, but didn't see it. Not as entertainment and not as affirming naturism. Erik Estrada's comments were especially offensive, and totally adverse to nudity...and because they were colorful the audience heard more of him than just about anyone else.

Entertainment value? Dullsville.

[nordictoad2]

They air it again on THursday night so you have a chance to see it.

I need to agree with the others. I too felt that it was a double edged sword. It got the notion of Naturist resorts to the main stream, yet it also did not paint them in the best light. Hopefully the texile world will hear the right message.

[nudeM]

We, hw and myself, just saw the episode. Thought it was pretty good. I especially enjoyed the humor. Trishelle (sp) was the only one that went completely nude at the restaurant. Ron dropped his pants only, but none of the others participated, except for the spa scene, when several others participated, but only slightly.

I felt sorry for Tammy Faye, for she is not into nudity. It was nice for the network to set her up for the night at a motel across the street, but I think they should have at least pulled her to the side and told her she was going to a nudist resort first. That part was unfair.

Corey and Corky, when are you signing autographs? Great to see both of you in the episode. I'm sure there were others there as well, but I don't know what they look like. Great job. By the way, are there any copies available of the episode that does not have the "blurred" version? If so, please let us know if they could be purchased.

Again, thanks for the notice and great job.

[Croydon]

I thought the show was pretty boring. Was expecting to laugh my phants off but ended up saying, "that's it?"

Was glad to see Cory but didn't see Corky, than again, not sure what Corky looks like.

I knew Trishelle would get naked. After a few drinks, that girl will do anything. I watched the season of Real World she was on and all this gir did was drink drink drink, sex sex sex. In Road Rules, sex sex sex.

Overall, I was dissapointed with the cast and the comments. I knew none would get naked. One thing I noticed about the resort was that there were a lot of young nudists

[hairyhomer]

I saw it to wish they would have had showed the celbs talking with the nudist more so the general public could have learned what body acceptance is all about, instead of all the rude remarks about the "wee-wees" /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif I would give it about a 4 out of 10. Really liked the looks of the resort, I?ll have to make a trip down there sometime. /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[zuma]

I think this disaster should remind all of us to be very, very careful. A reality tv show should set off warning flags. Porn star participation should set off even more. How we present ourselves to the public is very important. Everyone involved, despite good intentions, should have been very wary. Hopefully next time we can present a more positive view of naturism.

[nudeM]

Croydon: Corky was the photographer in the background taking the pictures. There were some real good shots of him, especially in the restaurant. He was standing behind the cast members taking pictures.

I'm sure there were others, but I don't know what they look like. I kind of liked the show, but, yea, the cast was very "childish" about some of their comments, especially the different sizes of "wee wees", older nudists in attendance, different sizes (bodies), etc.

We still have a long way to go. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[busguy89]

Is the video he was shooting of Surreal Life available for sale? Interesting to see what was really happening-as opposed to what they showed on the show.

[Doug H]

Personally, I thought the episode was mostly humorous. And, to be fair, let's see this from a nonnudist POV, i.e., how would you like to be "ambushed", be unexpectedly confronted with something completely outside your experience, and have ratings and sensationalism be the major motivation in the show's creators perpetrating this. For that, I can forgive them their 'tudes. On the basis of the above, I must say that the presence of cameras had an effect on cast behavior, not so much based on prudery, but based on not giving in to the sensationalism their producers were clearly looking for.

The attitudes expressed by the cast members were their own, and not the producers or the network. For that, I'll give the show's producers some respect. As bad as some here think it was, it could have been a lot worse. They focused on the cast, their actions, and their interactions. And isn't that what the show is supposed to be about? A couple of them proved themselves to be jerks. One proved herself a hypocrite. Another proved himself a dirty, old man in the brashest way possible. However, at least one cast member had the courage to at least give it an honest try; the source of that courage notwithstanding. Heck, she might have even been comfortable with idea if she'd been amongst companions of her own choosing rather than those she was contractually obliged to be with.

Again, I found it humorous, real, and if there was any negativity, it was generated by cast members themselves, and therefore, a reflection of them, not nudists or nudism.

Doug H.

[cindiee_s]

We too saw the show last night and here are my comments,
I think the comments of the surreal members was out of line, but we cannot control that.
I was not sure, why Corky (or whatever his name is) had to tape the encounter?? Why was that necessary? It gave the impression, that people are filmed doing all kinds of thing, and maybe that was not appropriate.
I just wish, the members would have more interacted with the surreal members, but what the heck, they are not giving prime time.
Overall, I would rate it 5 out of 10, and since I am involved in TB business (not professionaly), I can see that the editing was geared toward shocking, entertainement, something different, etc.
Not too bad but certainly not too good as well. But I am sure, the owner of the resorts had no input how it was edited at the end.
BTW, we been to different resorts in Palm Springs but never to this one.
We love it there.

Cindiee

[Elery]

Wat in 'ell would you expect of someone who calls a penis a weewee? The last time I had a weewee was when I was three years old. I don't particularly find "vulgar" terminology for sex organs offensive, actually I think c**t is a perfectly good word as "The Vagina Monologues" so perfectly pointed out, but in a public venue you would hope that in this modern age people would be able to come up with the proper term, not weewee for garsh sake.
Parenthetically, I went to a doctor a few years back, and older gentleman of the "old school" because I had gotten into some dry leafless poison oak and hadn't even known it. It was a very bad case. As the doctor was examining me, I was nude of course, I reached down absent mindedly and scratched my crotch area. He said, "Careful, you certainlly don't want to get poison oak on your "thingy"". Thingy? This from a professional medical man. sigh!!

[Corky]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cindiee_s:
...I was not sure, why Corky (or whatever his name is) had to tape the encounter?? Why was that necessary? It gave the impression, that people are filmed doing all kinds of thing, and maybe that was not appropriate.

Cindiee <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I was filming the INA crew at the time they filmed me and they edited it to make it look like I was filming Ron and Trishelle about to undress. That is Hollywood for you.

Watch our ClothesFree TV show to see what I taped. Period.

[zuma]

Stephen from cat's board posted this, regarding the wb reality show. I could not have said it better myself:

Does anyone here watch "The Surreal Life" on the WB network?
well, if you don't its a show that put a bunch of former celebrities together in a house and also takes them places and records everything they do. on the show are tammy fay baker, ron jeremy, eric estrada (CHiPS), Vanilla ice, and few more girls whom i have no idea who they are.
anyway, i was just watching it , this episode was a repeat but it just aired at 9:00 PM on the east coast (Thur night).
in this episode they were invited to a nudist resort in palm springs by Vince Neil (?). i would just like to say that after watching this episode i think shows like this and the resorts that allow them to come and visit really do naturism a disservice, i can't even begin to describe to you how bad this show made us look. Tammy Fay baker was crying because she didn't want to go in because it makes her feel dirty seeing other people (Gasp!) naked!, even though you may disagree with her, the spectacle was awfull to watch. we're made about to be a bunch of freaks and weirdos! i would really like to slap the owners of the resort who allowed this monstrousity to take place. i think this one show alone has set the ideal of bringing naturism into the mainstream back about 100 years.
the only slightly redeeming part is that one of the house members did get naked and she did seem to enjoy it. but trust me when i say to you that the negatives far outweighed the positives here, and if the owners didn't see this coming they have no business running a resort. i don't believe in the axium that any publicity is good publicity.
the whole issue of people being naked was so overblown, it was awfull, they kept on commenting about how it was gross, i would never do it, these people aren't attractive etcc.. i mean give me a ******* break, its just a human body, chill out!
i think i'm done ranting, but my main message is that i wish some of these resort owners would try to show a little restraint, i know all they want is guests to make money, but at what cost?

[zuma]

I'd kind of like to propose that AANR and TNS stop being a feeble organization, and step up to the plate and do somethning positive for nude recreation. Obviously if desert shadows had done the right thing, and demanded videotape editing approval, some other profiteer would just take their place.

What they did was for short-term profit but harmed the entire industry.

This is what AANR and TNS are for. They should immediately suspend desert shadows for one year. Are there any memebers of these organizations here?

The failure of what are supposedly the premier naturist organizations in the country have been strangely silent. If they do not take a stand to promote naturism in a positive light, someone else will.

You cannot be allowed to enjoy the benefits of an industry whilst endangering it for a few thousand dollars, or whatever they got. Naturists are laid-back folks, but a bit of stronger representation is needed now.

[cindiee_s]

To Zuma,
You made some excellent points and to some I certainly agree with you.
On the other hand, the owner of the resort can do whatever he or she wants to do. They do not owe us anything. Remember, this is a free country.
Now to your really good points. So if the AANR decides that having them affiliated with the organization is not a good thing, they can suspend the affiliation.
If people that normally go there are upset with them, well, they just won't visit there again.
If they get no business anymore, because most people are disgusted (or something like that) with the owners, well, let supply and demand take care of that.
Did I agree with what everyone went on there, of course not.
Did it set us back 100 years, hardly. Yeah, it puts us in a bad light and some people have a bad taste of us nudists, but in 10 years, 5 years, one year, even 6 months, other priorities take over and it is all forgotten, for the most part.
If you are really serious about showing your displeasure, right them a detailed long letter, or start a petition or do something, that makes a difference,
Just my thoughts,
Cindiee

[nudeM]

Let's all step back and take a breath. First of all, it is not the resorts "total" responsibility to make everyone comfortable. It is the networks responsibility to make sure that the resort provided all of the assets needed for a nudist show. In the Tammy Faye incident, sure, it was the networks responsibility to give her the "ear" to let her know that they were going to a nudist resort. That part is the irresponsibility of the network. Why? Because she is a Christian and should have been let on in the deal beforehand. It is not the resort should have catered to the network, it should have been the network catering to the resort, by providing all participants with the proper scenerio.

Now, provided that the network asked that the resort not to intervene, must be taken into account. They, the network, may have asked the resort not to intervene and make the "stars" act natural. Maybe, behind the cameras, the nudists did in fact, treat the guests with open arms. We will never know, but I cannot imagine that the nudists let these stars out in the cold, without involving themselves. The show was intended for ratings only. To me, they did a good job of that. They let us know how the real world (Hollywood) truely apprehends the aspects of nudism. Hopefully, we will be able to get the word out on a positive note.

[shãybare]

While I wish the nudists "side" had been represented, I agree with nudeM that the show was there to show the textiles reaction to our nude lifestyle. TV plays to a textile audience.

SFGIDLIF...QB /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

[Corky]

I was there to cover the event for our ClothesFreeTV show and Desert Shadows Inn did nothing wrong in my opinion. Desert Shadows has done quite a lot to promote positive family nude recreation. They cannot control how others (Hollywood) try to change reality for their "reality" show. I doubt they would give Desert Shadows full videotape editing approval, but they did give Desert Shadows some editing approval. For instance, Warner Bros. made a sign saying "Nudist Colony" and they changed it to "Nudist Resort" as requested by Desert Shadows.

More good came out of it than bad. Two steps forward, one step back, we still are progressing one step at a time.

[ncognito66]

What bothered me was the fact that Trishelle had to be drunk (again!) before she was willing to try it, the fact that they allowed the rules to be broken and let them in the hot tub with clothes on, and whoever the man was running the volleyball game that kept making deals to get the women out of their tops made nudists look like a bunch of perverts in my opinion.

[Doug H]

I sense a certain "black/white" view of media representation of nudism in certain posters. Basically, some of you are looking for an unconditional endorsement of the lifestyle as normal and harmless. (And if you don't get it, then the presentation was worthless) Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my interpretation of what I'm reading.

Well, come back in 20 years...maybe. Like it or not, nudists are still a small minority who are often view as eccentric at best and sinners at worst. So one has to take the small victories. Yes, the WB took a few liberties in this particular case. And for those may they be remembered in the future. The show itself, however, wasn't as bad as it could have been. And if viewed without being oversensitive to small details, (and remember that the show is not about nudists, but about the celebrities!) it was humorous and ultimately harmless. Why harmless, because this episode's 15 minutes of fame will fade rather quickly.

I just had a brainstorm on the subject of improving nudism's perception in the mainstream media. I'll post that as a separate topic.

My point is to keep some perspective and be willing to accept baby steps.

Doug H.

[Croydon]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Doug H:
I sense a certain "black/white" view of media representation of nudism in certain posters. Basically, some of you are looking for an unconditional endorsement of the lifestyle as normal and harmless. (And if you don't get it, then the presentation was worthless) Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my interpretation of what I'm reading.


Doug H. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You are right, the media paints everything as black and white, there are no grays. What I want to know, did Desert Shadows and Paradise Lake knew what they were getting themselves into, that the shows weren't going to paint a pretty picture of nudism. Corky, Cory, what is your take. Do they know what they are getting themselves into? When you interview with the media, do you know things maybe changed or distorted?

The episode of Surreal Life in question wasn't grand. I didn't find it offensive nor did I find it entertaining. I was expecting more from the episode but I wasn't surprised at all by what I saw.

[Doug H]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Croydon:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Doug H:
I sense a certain "black/white" view of media representation of nudism in certain posters. Basically, some of you are looking for an unconditional endorsement of the lifestyle as normal and harmless. (And if you don't get it, then the presentation was worthless) Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my interpretation of what I'm reading.


Doug H. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You are right, the media paints everything as black and white, there are no grays. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>It's not the media that I was referring to. It's some of the comments that I've read on this board. Since nudists didn't get portrayed as completely normal, the smallest of details are being used to say the whole entire show was trash. In the eyes of the mainstream, nudists are still eccentrics. And probably will be until nude recreation as a business is competing equitably with 'adult entertainment' in monetary term. At the moment, that millions vs. billions. That's the long, uphill battle everyone in nudism is fighting.

Was this a good 'battle plan'? It had it's flaws. Did it do more harm than good. I doubt. Most people were probably too busy laughing at the celebs to be laughing at us.

Doug H.

[zuma]

There is so much wrong here I don't know where to start

" Since nudists didn't get portrayed as completely normal, the smallest of details are being used to say the whole entire show was trash. "

Yes, the nudists were portrayed as freaks. Then entire show was trash. Normal nudists would be bery upset at what desert shadows and the wb reality show portrayed.

"In the eyes of the mainstream, nudists are still eccentrics. And probably will be until nude recreation as a business is competing equitably with 'adult entertainment' in monetary term."

We're still eccentrics when portrayed byy the wb network, instead of what we really are. And how the hell do you think being comared to "adult entertainment" will help us? Are you even a nudist??


In the eyes of the mainstream, nudists are still eccentrics. And probably will be until nude recreation as a business is competing equitably with 'adult entertainment' in monetary term. At the moment, that millions vs. billions. That's the long, uphill battle everyone in nudism is fighting.

[zuma]

And of course, the AANR remains not so surprisingly silent on this issue. TNS is too busy counting their dollars from N magazine to take a stand.

I think this latest crisis will usher in the end of aanr and tns, and thank god. Someone, somewhere, will step up and be a true advocate for the nudist recreation business.

[Doug H]

Yes, I am a nudist. And yes, I was expecting more from the cast than we got. But I think the level of anger being expressed is more than a little overboard. It was a TV show. Yes, there were things I didn't like. Does that mean it wasn't funny? I certainly had few laughs. And no matter how bad you think it was, it could have been much worse. Corky said it best, "two steps up and one step back equals one step forward. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

If anyone knows the power of the TV camera, it's those who make their living in front of it. The celebrities were set up in a "for ratings only" situation, and don't think they didn't know that. Be a little forgiving about their initial attitudes. At least, a few of them got over it enough to have fun.

Doug H.

[Fresh Air]

I saw the re-run on thursday. While I was dissappointed in the cast, they are not nudists. How can I expect them to understand what is and isn't appropriate? I felt they still saw it as something risque. The only oppinions I liked were those of Vinilla Ice (he said he would if his wife was with him, but wouldn't want to send the wrong message without her and by doing it on national TV...and that he didn't see anything wrong with it). Tammy Fay (she at least stood up for what she believe in).

Drunk girl A and Drunk girl B, I didn't appreciate...they got naked for the wrong reasons in my oppinion. Same with ron jermy. Ponch...I dunno.

I was disappointed, in some ways, with the nudists at the resort though. First the rules of the V-ball game gave points for the celebs removing clothes. It seems to me that if nudity is an expression of freedom, we should not try to bribe or buy someone. It seemed sort of like black mail and reminded me of adolecent antics to get a peep show. I thought it was a bit imature.

Another embarassing thing was watching the men stare at Trishelle when she did get nude. It looked like a typical "pretty girl goes to the beach and a bunch of guys position themselves to look" sceene.

The worst part, I think, was the end at the hot tub. Trishelle is obviously drunk. Some guy kisses her on the cheek then asks for a hug. Both of which are granted by miss drunk.

It's something a typical college guy might do...in fact any typical guy might want that. It seemed that he was a "typical guy" from the way he acted. I would have expected more tact and manners from a nudist resort though. Taking advantage of a young, pretty drunk girl is not tasteful.

I don't know that I could take my wife to a nudist resort if the situation arose. She watched with me. I don't think she liked the impression. Anyways, it now seems safer and more enjoyable to just be nude with her alone somewhere.

Fresh Air

I saw some scenes from the show, and I noticed that the people acted as though being nude with others wasn't something they normally do. It was like they were daring each other to "take it off". They would get up close to the water, take off a towel or whatever and slip quickly into the water, for fear that someone might see something. A real nudist wouldn't care what anyone saw. I would have undressed and walked nonchalantly to the pool or hot tub, not caring who saw what.

[zuma]

I've made a proposal for the INA steering committee to adopt a resolution against naturist resorts participating in reality tv shows. This is in the "paris hilton" thread.

Together we can make a difference. That's what we're here for, right?

[steve-o]

Isn't the point of that TV show that the guest stars go somewhere and experience a new place? I guess I don't see the point of allowing them to visit if they're not going to all be nude and have the real experience.

I mean, aren't they just gawkers with cameras then?! .. and even worse if they are ignorantly saying negative things about nudism (by not even understanding what it's all about by being clothed the whole time). I think the whole thing is a HUGE step backward.

If they're not going to be nude and thereby REALLY experience it all and understand it all -- in which case they would all have had a different opinion of it all, why why why bring them and their cameras in?! and if Tammy faye is going to do one of her famous crying exhibitions, geezus, forget it! sad sad sad...