The Pick-up Artist (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = The Pick-up Artist


caption =
genre = Reality Game show
creator = 3Ball Productions
director =
creative_director =
original_concept = Suzanne Murch
starring = Mystery Matador J-Dog
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes = 8
list_episodes =
executive_producer = J. D. Roth Todd A. Nelson Adam Greener Doug Wilson Clair McCabe Michael Hirschorn Jeff Olde Suzanne Murch
producer = Angela Malloy
supervising_producer = Adam Paul
asst_producer = Austin Sipes
co-producer =
editor = Taatshing Hui Tim Preston
story_editor = Vira Chhay
location = Austin, Texas
camera = Multi-camera
runtime = 40 minutes
network = VH1
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = August 6 2007
last_aired = September 24 2007
related =
website = http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_pick_up_artist/series.jhtml
imdb_id = 1083958
tv_com_id = 74631

"The Pick-up Artist" is an American reality show on VH1 which focuses on a group of eight male contestants who have historically been unsuccessful in love and relationships learning the art of the "pickup" as taught by seduction artist Mystery aka Erik von Markovik, and two of his wingmen, known by the aliases J-Dog and Matador. With help of Savoy ["http://www.lovesystems.com/savoy: Savoy, Pickup Artist.] (pickup artist) as a consultant to the show, in the eight episodes, Mystery teaches the contestants with guidance and training to meet potential mates in various locations, such as coffee shops and night clubs. The contestants of the show compete with each other through a series of challenges. Most of the challenges on the first season involved picking up women in different situations, such as on a bridge during the day or in a nightclub. Some of the challenges were more novel, such as the second to last challenge where the men had to pick up a stripper, described by Mystery as "the ultimate challenge".

The show first aired on August 6, 2007, and aired weekly until the series finale on September 24. It took place in Austin, Texas.

ynopsis

Cast

As the main introduction says, the cast comprises "lovable losers" and each has his own set of issues to deal with:
* "Alvaro Orlando aka "Kosmo", 23 - Physically fit and athletic, says he freezes up around women (changed his name in episode two). On 2007 September 24, it was announced that he was the winner and the master "Pick-up Artist".
* "Brady", 25 - Lacking in self-confidence despite allegedly being a model, says he feels inadequate and does not deserve a good woman. [Eliminated 7th]
* "Joe D", 25 - Overweight and lives in his parents' basement, he feels uncomfortable with his appearance and hates his 'frat guy' image. He is always the "friend" to girls. [Eliminated 6th]
* "Pradeep", 22 - He over analyzes and talks too much; his approach in meeting women is to talk to guys first. Questions his commitment. [Eliminated 5th]
* "Joe W", 24 - Starts off strong but often fails fast; he says that when he does hit it off with women they often think he is gay. [Eliminated 4th]
* "Scott", 26 - Gets very nervous and stutters around women. [Eliminated 3rd]
* "Fred", 45 - The oldest student, actor, singer, comedian, and an alleged virgin, he admires his father for his 51-year marriage and just wants to meet the right woman. [Eliminated 2nd]
* "Spoon", 27 - Does not know how to approach women and says that he is not good at talking] He wishes] he could be like James Bond. [Eliminated 1st (He resigned] )]

Callout order

: The contestant won immunity: The contestant was chosen as a wingman and had immunity: The contestant was eliminated: The contestant quit the competition: The contestant won the Title of The Pick-Up Artist.

Note 1: Episode 1 had no elimination.
Note 2: Spoon won the first reward challenge but quit the competition later that episode.
Note 3: Alvaro changed his name to Kosmo in episode 2.
Note 4: Contrary to statements made earlier in the episode, no wingmen were allowed to be selected in Episode 5.

Controversy

Soon after the show appeared, contestant Alvaro (aka "Kosmo") focused his career in acting. ["http://www.sceneinteractive.com/talents/ALVARO/?movie=alvaro-demo.swf: Scene Interactive: ALVARO ORLANDO] ". Retrieved on September 17 2007.] VH1 previously listed Kosmo as a video game programmer. ["http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_pick_up_artist/122273/episode_characters.jhtml". Retrieved on September 17 2007] Kosmo cleared up any controversy in recent interviews with VH1 and on the NOWLIVE.COM ["http://www.nowlive.com/member.asp?id=100205452"] show that VH1 had incorrectly listed him as a video game programmer, and that he is an aspiring actor, working as a VJ and cameraman for the past four years in Miami, New York, and Los Angeles, ["http://blog.vh1.com/2007-09-24/the-pick-up-artist-king-kosmo-konfesses/"] although this claim is somewhat been refuted or shown falsified by his Promo-Reel and Video biography. ["http://www.sceneinteractive.com/talents/ALVARO/?movie=alvaro-demo.swf"] It is worth noting that Alvaro was the only contestant to be given direct intervention and guidance from Mystery through a radio-receiving earphone, which he won in a reward challenge, when participating in the field test, in Episode-5.

Runner-up contestant Brady, despite being described as a shy photographer, also worked as a model in a Los Angeles modeling agency called Action Agency. ["http://www.actionagencyla.com/bradysprunger.htm: Action Agency Modeling: Brady Sprunger". Retrieved on September 25 2007. ]

Fred was a mattress salesman. ["http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_pick_up_artist/122273/episode_characters.jhtml: VH1 Contestants on The Pickup Artist". Retrieved on September 26, 2007. ] . According to a MySpace profile of Fred, he is also now an actor, comedian, former reality show contestant, and professional karaoke singer ["http://www.myspace.com/fredthecomic: Fred Rocks Myspace". Retrieved on September 26 2007. ]

Joe D. can also be seen now working as an actor in the television show ER, where he appears as a gas station clerk in the "January 3" episode. Joe D. had studied theater in college.Fact|date=March 2008

Reception

The show debuted with 673,000 viewers, which was initially disappointing [Levin, Gary (2007 August 14 )." [http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2007-08-14-nielsens-analysis_N.htm Nielsens: Big bucks, big start for '10'] ". "USA Today". Retrieved on 2007 September 13.] and on 2007 September 7, the series averaged 1.8 million total viewers and a 1.3 rating among viewers aged 18-49, which turned out to be an impressive enough result that Season 2 was ordered. [Brady, Shirley (2007 September 7). " [http://www.cable360.net/360AM/25525.html 360AM: Sept. 7 Programming, Online News & More] ". Cable360. Retrieved on 2007 September 8.]

eason 2

Season 2 of the Pick-up Artist has been officially announced. It was stated in the newsletter from Mystery's website that filming took place in Arizona. The new season will debut on VH1 on October 12, 2008. [ [http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/09/vh1_slates_pickup_artist_2.php VH1 Slates ‘Pickup Artist 2’] ]

Notes

References

* " [http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/pickup-mystery-artist-1791692-eight-women VH1 show teaches men how to meet women] ". August 1 2007. "The Orange County Register". Retrieved on August 4 2007.

ee also

* Pickup artist
* Dating coach
* Keys to the VIP

External links

* [http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/the_pick_up_artist/series.jhtml VH1.com: The Pick Up Artist - Official Site]
* [http://pickupartist2casting.com/ VH1 Pickup Artist 2 Casting Site]