In the immortal words of country singer Jim Stafford, “I don’t like spiders and snakes.”  You can add rats and alligators to that, as well, because they’ve been part of the terror during the first two episodes of 13: Fear is Real.  The new CW reality competition stranded 13 young people in the bayou, where they’re ordered into nightmarish challenges in their quest for $66,666.  Two contestants were buried alive last week—horrific in itself—but the screams heard last night could just as easily have been from my living room.  Teams of two were launched out onto a gator-infested swamp in the dark with covered boxes…soon revealed to contain creepy black snakes!  Distorted-Voice Guy, “The Mastermind,” told the players to grab a snake with each hand, and a freaked-out Laura quickly did what most of us would: toss the serpents overboard.  That sent her and Adam to the execution room, where they and Nasser were chained with rat-filled cages surrounding their heads.  These rodents were only inches away from gnawing on human faces, as the contestants raced to free themselves.  Laura was left behind to a fate unknown, with eleven campers remaining, including Columbus gal Melyssa.  Next week, a “killer” among the group claims her first victim.  Til then, turn off the lights and relive the snakes-n-rats escapade Friday night. 

Tyra Banks recently gave five memorable contestants from America’s Next Top Model a second chance to break into the industry—and Columbus girl Dominique Reighard from Cycle 10 took full advantage, winning a $50,000 spokesmodel contract with Carol’s Daughter cosmetics.  The Modelville competition was incorporated bi-weekly into Tyra’s daily talk show (which comes to WBNX next fall), and reunited Dominque with rivals Fatima from Somalia and awkward artist Lauren; plus Renee from Cycle 8 and outspoken Bianca from Cycle 9.  The quintet once again had to live together, while preparing to write, direct and star in their own 30-second commercials for the client.  Lauren quit before filming her spot, admitting she wasn’t suited for the speaking role.  The two girls who’ve faced obstacles since their ANTM appearance were then trimmed: Fatima had revealed that her limited editorial job bookings barely cover expenses; while Bianca made headlines in August for an airport family brawl with Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky.  On the finale, Ohio’s Dominque edged out Renee, who fled the stage in tears.  Such drama.  Click here for an in-depth recap of the Modelville feature, and watch for the return of America’s Next Top Model, following The CW’s eight-episode run of 13: Fear is Real.

The new year brings a new breed of TV competition.  “The best way to describe the show is The Blair Witch Project as a reality series,” reveals CW exec Dawn Ostroff.  It’s called 13: Fear is Real, and the network just announced Wed., Jan. 7 as Premiere Fright-Night.  Sam Raimi (Spiderman, Legend of the Seeker) created this horror “game,” which drops the unlucky number of teenagers into the eerie Louisiana Bayou—where players are scared into elimination…never to be seen again by the group of survivors.  “We were shocked to see how invested these contestants were; they really felt the horror,” Ostroff marveled.  “You really feel for these people.  You get to know them very quickly.”  Similar to horror films, the challenges will play into our deepest fears and anxieties and will reveal things the contestants never knew about themselves, she adds.  Tension rises with the various spooky settings, such as dark forests, creepy cabins and underground tunnels.  The last teen standing after eight episodes will win the $66,666 prize.