Softening my stance on the Mole premiere...

Now that I've downloaded the first episode of Mole, I've completely altered my view of the rebirth of the single greatest reality TV show ever. Watching the episode the first time, with the picture going in and out, and the audio being a few seconds off really can make a good program appear sour...

Though it's impossible to top the original Mole, and part of that is nostalgia on my part, this one has done a pretty good job. Let's hope the viewers think so in the coming weeks, however, or else ABC might pull the plug. Early reports have the Mole getting very few viewers. Certainly a factor could be the unfamiliar host. Make no mistake about it, Jon Kelley is no Anderson Cooper, but he was actually quite good. The first time I watched it I couldn't get past the fact he wasn't Coop, but he was solid, if unspectacular. Kelley's challenge in the coming weeks is to bring the comedy to the forefront...

If there's any criticism of the first episode, albeit a small one is that the two challenges weren't particularly of any interest. Partially due to the fact they've done the moneybags raft one before and also because the scavenger hunt didn't have a wow factor to it...

I believe the Mole is either Alex or Clay, and have just a couple of other suspects. I doubt I'll change my stance on the first two guys, and they'll likely be the ones I look to pick as my final selection in an episode or two...

In the coming posts, I'll break down everyone in the game, what they have brought to the game thus far, and what, if any, suspicious moves they've done so far...

Can you figure it out? Who is the Mole?

For Blinded Reality,

Michael Harrison

First impressions of the revamped Mole...

First off, it was the greatest television event of our generation tonight, as the Mole is back on TV. There are no words to describe just how exceptional and phenomenal and scintillating and spectacular and invigorating it is to have it back, so I will not even try to detail just how amazing it is to see it again. Having said that, watching the premiere made me feel nostalgic in wanting the "old" Mole back...

It could have been the fact that the feed I was watching the program on kept cutting in and out every few moments, so I missed bits and pieces of the show. Or it could be that the show seems a whole lot lamer. What was the opening intro, and why was it so crappy? To rate the crapiness on the crapometer (1 being the least crappy, 10 being the Mole's introduction), I'll give the intro a resounding score of 11. Are we supposed to be drawn in to the show? Can these contestants look any more awkward in their opening bios? Can we please have Anderson Cooper back?

That's the main issue, no Coop. No one can be Mr. Coop, absolutely no one. Ahmad Rashad attempted, and succeeded partially. Jon Kelley is trying, or is he? Kelley was billed as a man from the Anderson Cooper School of hilarity, but he flopped. And crashed. And burned. It's only one episode, and he must pick up his game from here, but we need more out of you Jon. We need comedy, suspense, intrigue, goofiness and professionalism all rolled into one. Or we need some more AC in here...

Lastly, where did the great soundtrack go? What set the Mole apart from other reality TV shows was the great instrumental music building suspense, drama, and action. The music so far has barely been noticeable, let alone entertaining....

Going back to the crapometer, the first episode of new revamped Mole scored a paltry 3 in my books. What did you all think? Am I being too harsh? The show has got to get better from here, and it still has great potential, but what exactly went wrong?

We'll delve into each and every contestant and their suspicious acts coming straight up. I've narrowed down my list to two people. I'm almost certain I know who the Mole is already, and it might've been given away by a hidden clue I've unearthed...

Who is the Mole?

For Blinded Reality,

Michael Harrison

The Mole returns tonight after a long hiatus!!!

This will be a TV event of a lifetime! The long overdue wait is finally over, as the greatest reality show will be back on our tubes tonight! The Mole boasts as the best one simply because of the element of suspicion, deceit, intelligence, and mystery all rolled into one. This show should never have left television, but the fact that it's back is the greatest thing ever...

We will break down all the contestants after episode one, and for the subsequent shows as well. Every detail will be broken down to see if we can't be the ultimate sleuth to figure this thing out. I have a lot riding on this, as my reputation is at stake. Of the four seasons of the American version (2 civilian, 2 celebrity), and 2 seasons of the Australian Mole I've seen, the person I've selected by episode 2 has in fact been the Mole three times, and in the other three cases, the individual I thought was the Mole was the winner of the game. That's a pretty good track record, one that could be smashed into pieces this season if I'm wrong...

Sit back and enjoy the true wonder that is the Mole, and see if you can prove me wrong...

Who is the Mole?

For Blinded Reality,

Michael Harrison