Doncha just LURV reality shows?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/30/arts/30arts.html?ref=arts

Death Shapes a Reality Show


Impending death and organ donation are the attractions of a planned Dutch reality show that has been condemned as unethical and tasteless, The Associated Press reported.

But the BNN network plans to proceed with the program on Friday, saying it believes that the show will draw attention to a shortage of organ donors.

At least one parliament member said he would ask the government to block the broadcast of the “Big Donor Show,” produced by Endemol NV, creator of the “Big Brother” series.

On the show a donor identified only as Lisa, 37, who is terminally ill with an inoperable brain tumor, will hear interviews with three candidates, their families and friends before deciding who will receive one of her kidneys. “We know that this program is super-controversial, and some people will think it’s tasteless,” said Laurens Drillich, chairman of BNN, “but we think the reality is even more shocking and tasteless: waiting for an organ is just like playing the lottery.”

Marieke Saly, a spokeswoman for BNN, said there could be no guarantees that the donation would actually be made, but said “the intention” was that the transplant would be carried out before Lisa died. Under Dutch rules, her designation of a recipient would become invalid after her death.