Two weekends ago, I downloaded and watched Season 2 of VH-1's The Pickup Artist. I've been curious about this reality program after reading Neil Strauss' book The Game and the "Mystery Method" featured in it. After failing to find a free viewing on YouTube or VH-1's website, I paid $15 to download it from Amazon.com. Turns out, the eight episode download provided the most entertaining $15 I've spent in a while. On the show, pickup guru Mystery (Erik von Markovik) trains nine "loveable losers" on his techniques and dispatches them into bars and clubs filled with real people where hidden cameras and mics record their performance. Each week, Mystery sends home the student who demonstrates the least progress. The last one standing is then crowned "The Pickup Artist" and wins $50,000.
Despite a few logistical flaws in the program, I thought it was a really great show! It was entertaining, inspiring and informative. On Episode #1, each contestant (without training) bombed dredfully in his approaches. With the exception of two guys, I thought there's no way these jerkoffs could ever get good at cold approaching women. Impossible. Especially the guy who cried at the clothing store during his makeover because he didn't know how to pick cool clothes.
But after a few lessons from Mystery and his assistants, each contestant began enjoying success. At first, it was only at approaching some girls and getting them engaged in conversation. After a few more episodes, they were able to isolate their targets and move them to another, quieter corner of the club. Towards the end of the season, all remaining contestants were able to smooch their targets on the lips (including the guy who cried at the clothing store).
Before, if you had told me there's a technique for making out with a stranger thirty minutes after meeting her, I would immediately dismiss you as a crazy or gullible person. I thought stuff like that only happened in the movies. And certainly, I couldn't imagine there could be a special routine one can teach to any guy. Well, after watching the program and reading Mystery's book, I'm a believer.
Mystery has plenty of haters (mostly women) who’re skeptical of the effectiveness of his method. If you're a member of this group, just watch the program. For $15 and six hours of viewing, you'd likely be cured of those doubts. At the very least, you’d have a thoroughly entertaining six hours.
YouTube trailer for The Pickup Artist Season 2
Although I personally didn't watch it (oh, I will now ;) ), a friend of mine told me that he didn't like the fact that it was a competition.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of The Game is not only girls, but self-help. It's suppose to be a team effort, not a free for all.
Meh.