The Fox network’s summer series Paradise Hotel has plumbed new depths of depravity, focusing on a hotel of young adults in a contest to see who can stay the longest without being booted out by the other “guests.” Players scheme, form alliances, and use sexual favors to play the game. Unfortunately, they have gone far beyond common decency.

The September 1 episode featured some of the contestants in out-of-control personal attacks against others. It was the most venomous and vindictive display prime-time has ever witnessed. The potty-mouthed players remind viewers of rival cliques of 10-year-olds in a playground rumble, except these “adults” are armed with far more hatred, profanity and bitterness.

Advertisers on the series have dropped off like flies, leaving only eight to ten 30-second spots on some nights. Twenty spots is the normal number.

MCI’s Telecom USA has been one of the die-hard sponsors right to the end.

On CBS, Big Brother 4 follows a parallel path with considerably less filth. The contestants in this reality series also use deceit, manipulation and dishonesty as means to survive in the Big Brother House and win the half-million dollar prize. They, too, have depressingly foul mouths for adults, and they often talk to the camera about their disrespect for others in the house. Profanity flows freely, as do the bleeps for words that can’t air on prime-time.

PepsiCo products advertised frequently on this series.

action index
Use this information to write or call advertisers cited in this issue’s TV reviews.

PepsiCo, Inc.
Chrm. Steven S. Reinemund
700 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
Phone: 914-253-2000
Web site: www.pepsico.com
Products: Doritos, Fritos, Gatorade, Grandma’s, Lay’s, Life cereal, Quaker cereals, Rice-a-Roni, Rold Gold, Tropicana

WorldCom, Inc.
Chrm. Bert C. Roberts, Jr.
500 Clinton Center Dr.
Clinton, MS 39056
Phone: 601-460-5600
Toll Free: 1-800-844-1009
Web site: www.wcom.com
Products: Friends and Family, MCI telecommunications, SkyTel, 1-800-COLLECT, 10-10-220, 10-10-321