The Mole

This is the most awesome "reality" show that I have ever seen. It follows 10 people who have to try to win challenges to earn money for a group pot. The catch is that there is one person(the mole) in the group who tries to sabotage the challenges. The contestants don't get voted off, they have to take a test every few days to test their knowledge of who "the mole" is. Whoever gets the least right gets eliminated. It's kinda complicated unless you watch it. It's truly a good show. 10/10!!!

I quite enjoyed "The Mole" the first time it was on TV, and eagerly looked forward to watching "The Mole 2." After a rocky start in which ABC pulled it from their primetime schedule late in 2001, before all the episodes had aired, they started it up again with a better timeslot (Tuesday evenings) and I'm glad that they did.

I'm not a huge fan of the "reality" genre. About the only "reality"-type shows I watch are "Survivor" and "The Mole." I actually prefer "The Mole" to "Survivor" (don't get me wrong; I LOVE "Survivor") because of the cerebral aspect of it. The games are interactive; you find yourself in the place of the contestants, trying alongside them to solve the various riddles that they are presented with, and trying to analyze fellow players' actions, wondering "Who is the Mole, and how can I get other people to think that I am?" With the exception of just a couple of games (the "fashion sense" game comes to mind), most of the games and challenges don't involve having the players stoop to the lowest common denominator to earn money for the pot.

When players are eliminated from "The Mole," it's not so because the rest of the players found them unpopular or too much of a threat. If you haven't been paying attention to the clues or haven't sorted fact from fiction, then you effectively eliminate yourself if you score the lowest on the execution quiz. "The Mole" isn't a popularity contest that can be sabotaged easily by overzealous fans (remember Brittany from the first "Big Brother"?) or vengeful losers; the best player does indeed win.

Another thing that I found so appealing about "The Mole" was how much more affable and interactive host Anderson Cooper was with the contestants. Cooper isn't just your aloof host that shows up only for challenges and elimination rounds. Cooper has a wicked sense of humor that manifests itself often during the games. He also joins the contestants for dinner, which further humanizes him. One of the most memorable moments of the second season came when contestant Rob, a magician, showed Cooper a card trick. Right after Rob revealed the outcome of the trick, Cooper immediately slugged him playfully in the arm. Imagine Rich Hatch trying to pull something like that with Jeff Probst on Pulau Tiga!

Because "The Mole" hasn't racked up the same kinds of ratings that "Survivor" or even "American Idol," a lot of people are quick to count it out for another go-round. I certainly hope not. Apparently, the ratings for "The Mole 2" were high enough for ABC to consider yet another installment. If that's the case, I hope to try out for it, because it's the only "reality" show that I would ever consider being on. If ABC decides not to bring it back for a third installment, it'll be a crying shame. In this age of trashy soap operas and lowbrow humor, "The Mole" is a shot of fresh air that most anyone could benefit from.

When I first saw the first Mole, I blew it off as one of those "reality shows". I had only seen Survivor, and didn't like it, so I stereotyped reality shows. Now, I regret that, and think that some reality shows can be good. One example is the Mole. This season, though pulled before, and brought back, was pretty good. It's been called the most intelligent reality television show [somewhere] and it's lived up to it.

And it's funny! The competitors do look a little bland, but when they show them at the group meals [especially dinner] it's very funny. [Sadly enough, it is, even after Al and Katie's Jelly Discussion.] Yes, even though some of the games were rather disgustingly boring [Three Questions, anyone?] some were rather intriguing. [Anyone for Gladiator, Evader, and Break out of Jail/Get the Key?] It's plays with the viewers mind, trying to figure out who the mole is. Even though the clues were slightly obvious, it was a great season!

One more note: this show was actually a show that kept me watching...especially since the one I picked out to win since the eighth or so week won. So it's very addicting, especially when you find it when they're doing something like rappelling off a dam.

Obviously, some of the previous negative posters have probably watched only one or two shows in the series and have casted judgement on that. Heck, in 2001, they only showed THREE episodes of Mole 2! Well, The Mole is back and it's getting better! If you like a smart and engaging game that'll keep you guessing who the Mole could be, then this is for you! If you want a game that'll keep you a couch potato, then this might be way too much for you. Disregard the previous comments because they've only seen PART of the series. It's like watching the first 5 minutes of a movie and saying whether you hate it or not. We're halfway through and I love it!

Honestly, I love this show. I think this show is better than Survivor and Temptation Island. The thing I like about it is that people don't vote other people off, I find that stupid. They must take a test everyday to see who stays and who goes. If your the person who gets the most questions wrong, your outta there. The challenges are instreasting to watch to. I hope they make a lot of seasons because I'm getting tired of Survivor!