Any Brits out there watching the show at the moment? I must admit whoever thought of this show is a genius. "It's like... Chessington World Of Adventures times 10,000!"

For those not in the UK, Space Cadets is a reality TV show being shown over here at the moment. 12 wannabe astronauts are given the chance to be sent into space on the first space tourism program. All they have to do is stay at a Russian air base and be trained up for the trip before 4 winners are chosen and sent into space.

The funny thing is - they aren't in Russia and there is no space tourism program. They never left the UK and are in a totally fake set with actors playing all the guards, lecturers etc. Also 4 of the 12 wannabes are really actors. The idea is that if Channel 4 can convince them they are really going to space for a fortnight, then they win some cash. But if the someone twigs that it's all fake - they get nothing.

They show has gone to so much detail with the set etc. They flew in a load of Russian food and drink, placed Russian signs everywhere, they even changed the plugs to Russian ones!

The best bit of the show though is the lectures. They have to make the trainees believe they are going to space so they are given them lectures. Thing is, 80% of what they are being told is total rubbish. For example, they have been told (and they believed it) that Minsk, Russia is really named after the first monkey in space - Minski. They even have a fake stuffed monkey in a glass class and have been telling them that it's Minski.

Anyway, if you are in the UK you have to see this. Channel 4, 9pm. On everything night to the 16th Decmember.

http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/S/spacecadets/

Aw! Why do you get all the good shows? :(

I'll check my cable channels for it. We get a lot of UK shows... one of my favorites being Brainiac.

I have yet to watch more than a few seconds of ANY so-called reality show. I absolutely refuse to support what is essentially the pandering to humanity's basest instinct of greed. Greed of the participant's, greed of the networks, greed of the producers, etc.

The greed is what makes this show so great though. They are so desperate to get into space and be famous that they believe any tripe that is thrown at them.

I keep seeing it advertised in between programmes but I thought it looked rather cheesy. Is it really that good? May have to start watching it?

Good call Lee.I was'nt going to watch it at first,but after seeing the motley crew fly around the North Sea for four hours,land in Russia,er,sorry,Ipswich,then go through briefings,training,and general "Big Brother" type video-diaries,I think it's hilarious.Even Neil Armstrong has said he'l eat a space helmet,live on Channel 4,if they pull this off.Fell off my chair last night,at that lecture entitled PRAT.Prepare,revise,ask,talk.Or something like that.I believe tonight is the "live" launch,when they get sent into "space".Or is it Ipswich? :D

May have to watch it then I think - you are really selling this to me guys.

I guess the thing is I got really bored with big brother and there are so many reality TV shows now - I just thought this would be along the same lines and it did not really appeal.

That show sounds like a blast (look, I made a joke!). Have always been a fan of brit humour, recently fell in love with The Office (the american version is pathetically off the mark).

I may have to look for a torrent.

I would have to agree. I watched the American version of 'The Office' and I did not find it anywhere near as good as the British version.

So,the Cadets are now in orbit.Hmnn.Why did'nt they simulate floating inside the "shuttle" once they'd reached Earth orbit?
Personally I'd have spun the simulator up to 10 g's,so that everyone would have passed out,and when they woke up,they'd be all alone in a field.Nah,that sounds like the X Files!
Apparently they can't open the viewing window at the front of the shuttle to show everyone Earth,because a moth has flown into the studio mock-up.HAAAAAAAAA! At least they could'nt at 9:55pm tonight,UK time.Nice one Channel 4 :D

That moth thing did make me laugh. Wasn't as good a show as previous though. The creation of the simulator was really interesting but the rest was quite dull.

The best bit though was when on of the people was going on about how it "looked like it was from a movie or something. And then right on cue, a man in a white coat walks across with a clip board. And then another man followed him out. I was just like a movie". They are so close to guessing the truth but still are believing it :D

I kind of feel sorry for Keri though. The other two guys are muppets and I would like to see their faces afterwards. But the girl Keri does seem all right - just a little gullable.

You guys actually come from exciting places in the Uk. Wiltshire is soooo boring lol

Firstly,congrates Lee to getting your name in lights with Mozilla."We are not worthy" :D
DJ,how can Wiltshire be boring?
Lee in Cambridge,now that is a place to behold.University,Oliver Cromwell,etc.True,Brum has it's fair share of historical items,and people,but surelly,everywhere is the same as everywhere else.We all look at places through rose tinted specs.I'm sure Wiltshire is a lovely place really.Er,are'nt all pubs similar anyway,he he :cool:

Came across this on Wiltshire,from Towns-uk website:

Wiltshire
Wiltshire encompasses ancient stone circles, spectacular views, history and heritage and unspoilt, open countryside. It is as beautiful to explore under a sparkling winter's sky as during a hot summer's day and the gentle, vast landscape makes it ideal for enjoying the great outdoors.

Few places in Europe can rival the ancient monuments and ceremonial landscapes of Wiltshire, which include the World Heritage Sites of Stonehenge and Avebury. Salisbury Cathedral, with its soaring spire, is another major international attraction and our historic houses and beautiful gardens ensure there is something for everyone.

Bordering both the Roman City of Bath and the glorious Cotswolds, Wiltshire is home to magical old market towns, castles and a host of other attractions. But perhaps Wiltshire's real uniqueness lies in the beauty of its countryside: the open downland offering miles of uninterrupted views, river valleys with their sparkling clear waters, ancient forests, and picture-postcard villages. Wherever you visit in this ancient and unspoilt county you will be assured a warm welcome and service of the highest quality.

Now if you really want boring, go check out Leighton Buzzard.
The least known famous place there is.
Home to the Great Train Robbery and sand pits ;)

Oh yeah to answer a previous point about floating.
They said earlier in the series that they wheren't going high enough to experience Zero G, the best bit is that the suckers bought it completely.

Firstly,congrates Lee to getting your name in lights with Mozilla."We are not worthy" :D

That's right - I'm famous now. Anyone want to join the Lee Fan Club? We have badges and a secret handshake!

I guess having lived in wiltshire my whole life it's easy for me to take it for granted. Others think it's a lovely place and if I am honest there is a lot of history, Like 'Stone Henge', 'Averbury' etc etc - but when you live in one place for so long it becomes tideous. When I went to Australia travelling and returned I really did appreciate it - but it's real easy to slip back into a broing mundane routine. I try to keep well travelled in the UK even if I cannot get abroad.

Guess I should stop taking it all for granted what do you reckon??

I guess having lived in wiltshire my whole life it's easy for me to take it for granted. Others think it's a lovely place and if I am honest there is a lot of history, Like 'Stone Henge', 'Averbury' etc etc - but when you live in one place for so long it becomes tideous. When I went to Australia travelling and returned I really did appreciate it - but it's real easy to slip back into a broing mundane routine. I try to keep well travelled in the UK even if I cannot get abroad.

Guess I should stop taking it all for granted what do you reckon???
When I travelled England and Europe I was jealous of you guys - you have such a variety of cultures so nearby. I'm in Canada and the travelling distances are exponentially larger, I'm not as inclined to go the US much anymore.

Back to Space Cadets - I found a bittorrent tracker but no one seems to be sharing at the moment. :( Eventually I'll have Ep 1 and 2.

I have two cousins in Perth,Western Australia,and the place is excellent.Have been a few times over the past ten years.In September just gone,had ten days in Ayia Napa,Cyprus.It was amazing.However,there is nothing like returning to a foggy,cold UK morning,with the drizzle hitting you in the face.Nah,that was a lie.If my lottery ticket ever comes up,it's adios amigo's,party time is here,as the bar is officially open.I would move to Tenerife,in the Canary islands.Going there with the family,Easter,2006.Other members of the family have already been,and from the pics,it looks nice.All year round sun!
Okey,now I'l calm down a bit,and say that travel in the UK is fine,if you pick your places carefully.Most of us I'm sure,have our favourite spots,which we like to return to year after year,but for me,there must be hundreds of places around the country I'd like to visit.Maybe I will one day.

I have been to many countries - I love to travel. But it's not so easy to do it as often these days because of the expense. Having to run a car, pay rent etc.

Planning to travel though - just need to save hard.

Boy if I won the lottery I would move abroad for sure - I hate the cold weather. Lol

Main points for me so far:

Johnny Vaughan talking with subtitles to simulate the silence of space.
Told that three artificial gravity generators are stopping "things" from floating around.Haaaaaaa!
The Uranus anthem!! Very silly.
At the end of the whole show they will genuinely go to Russia and see their space center,and go into "zero g" aboard the "vomit comet".Obviously,they know nothing about this yet.
Seeing Earth from space,er,Ipswich.Apparently the screen illusion was displaying at +10 times the definition of HD broadcasts.Wow!
Live long and prosper suckers... :eek:

Well having just got out of university about 1 1/2 years ago my finances are still in a mess so I won't be going anyway exotic for a while. Looks like France or Spain are the best I can do (and that's to stay with my girlfriend's family who live out there)


RIght, last night Space Cadets - Did it make anyone else like such a meanie (to put it politely). The 4 of them were just saying all this really nice stuff about how humbled they were and thanking everyone etc. It just made me feel bad about laughing at them for the last few days :D Johnny Vaughan is starting to annoy me now though - he's just not as funny as he used to be. Tonight's one should be good as it looks like they are just going to see how far they can push the cadets with stupid jokes etc.

Holy mackerel space lovers.Johnny Vaughan has told the six that did'nt get into space (Ipswich),that the whole thing is a con,but each of them will get £5 grand each.Tonight,without the knowledge of the four astronuts!! they went aboard the shuttle mock-up,and gazed down upon planet HD screen,and were amazed.I can't wait to see the other's reaction tomorrow,when they find out the whole thing was a hoax.Haaaaaaaa!!

Live long and prosper suckers:D

Hmnn.According to the word on the official Channel 4 forum,some are saying that the "live" feed is really 15 minutes out.Ie when you watch the show on E4 (for Brits only),it has already been edited for content,but the hour long live version,with Johnny Vaughan,is really live.Oh yeah?
Finally,also heard a rumour that the astronuts will get ready to do a "live" space-walk tomorrow,towards the finale end.And then the TV crew will pull apart the shuttle scenery,and reveal Ipswich.That's not confirmed officially,but if it happens,what an ending!!

Did anyone catch the last episode? I missed it due to an Xmas party.

The final frontier:

All made to sing a song to "monkey Bimbi",the first Soviet animal into space?
Bimbi's ashes are dropped all over the shuttle floor,and he is cleaned up with a dustpan and brush.
Charlie the actor aboard the shuttle,passes a "worm",and is very sick.Nope,it's another hoax!
He can't go aboard the shuttle "pod",with the remaining three,to do a space walk,as he's too ill.
Once in the pod,the crew receive a video message from Johnny Vaughan showing them "nearly" stumbling on the truth,over the past ten days.Then he shows them video of the simulator.
They can't believe it,and there's a lot of "beep-beep" editing.
The pod is opened up,to reveal the studio,where the other "astronuts" are,plus all the families.
Johnny Vaughan shows them clips from the whole show.
He tells them they will each get £25,000,plus a real trip to Starcity,in Russia,to see all of their space program sites,plus a trip in zero "g",aboard the vomit comet.

All the press here in the UK,said the show was crap,and a complete waste of time,but I thought it was funny.
Oh yes,Channel 4,and Johnny Vaughan,are going to Starcity,next year,to show us how the "winning three" get on.Whether it's live,or recorded,I don't know,but that should be a laugh as well.

Hi,
I really don't care for these "Reality Shows" either. Don't watch them.
But, whatever makes money for the Networks and Producers is what will be aired.

My favorite "reality tv" show is America's Funniest Home Videos.

Some of them get me rolling on the floor laughing!