I dislike reality TV shows. Well, most. The only ones I watch with any regularity are American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance. I really don’t ‘get’ non-talent-based shows like Big Brother (etc)… so it’s incredibly bizarre that I’ve found myself drawn to I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here Australia.

In all honesty I haven’t watched an entire show. I often just catch bits and pieces, usually the final scenes before (whatever comes on after) starts. However, I’ve found myself delaying other viewing and channel surfing during ad breaks so I can watch more and more of the #Celebs in the not-so-wilds of Africa.

I completely missed the first month so by the time I saw it the intruders had been introduced (and the Bachelor guy gone). Like many I hadn’t actually heard of some of the celebs but have loved how the show’s really brought out the best (and worst—though mostly the best) in those remaining.

I’ve been surprised by the lack of snark, though perhaps Channel 10’s editing that out, or maybe the more prickly of the group were ejected early.

As for the hosts… I’ve seen Julia Morris at a writing event and she was hilarious, but I’m surprised by the subtle and playful sarcasm of Chris Brown (who seems very happy to take the piss out of himself on a regular basis).

However… I do have some questions. And while they haven’t exactly kept me awake at night, they have played on my mind more than a little!

What’s the deal with their camp? There’s no real wildlife about (no snakes slithering over them in their sleep etc). And more bizarrely no mosquitos? What about malaria? Are the #Celebs inside The Dome*? 😉 

Has it rained? Do they have tents or tarpaulins? Why haven’t they had to survive in days of bucketing rain? Or storms!

Where do they get their water? Are they having to boil water to drink or do they get given filtered water?

Are there portaloos or do they go to the loo jungle-style?

Are they really handwashing (and drying) their own clothes; or does someone come along, gather the poorly-washed clothes off branches and take them away to be properly laundered before returning them later in the day?**

But most of all, I assumed saying the words, “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” would mean that was it–they left the show (ie. hence the title). However I gather this isn’t the case?

I have googled this but the only information I found was that there are gamekeepers nearby to shoot any intruders (animals not people. Although…) and they have some sort of ‘deep drop’ toilet.

In case you’re worried, I’m not naive enough to think reality TV is really reality TV. I’ve read enough forums and spoken to a few peeps who’ve appeared in such shows and know it’s all quite fake and staged, so I do wonder if there’s a gazillion crew members standing about to chat to and signs of civilisation just metres from the camp. I also wonder how ‘edited’ the eating-of-all-kinds-of-crap scenes are, for example.

It’s the finale tonight and I may have to watch the entire thing, but in the meantime…. Any answers to my questions would be greatly appreciated.

* Oblique reference to other Channel 10 show which I used to watched before it jumped the shark!
** I’ve had to hand-wash clothes (only) when living overseas and it wasn’t pretty!