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Pirate Master
Genre Reality, Game Show
Created by Mark Burnett
Starring Cameron Daddo (host)
Country of origin Flag of United States United States
No. of episodes 9
Production
Location Dominica
Running time 60 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel CBS
Original run May 31, 2007 – July 17, 2007
Pirate Master was a CBS reality television show created by Mark Burnett
following 16 modern-day pirates on their quest for gold, which will total
US$1,000,000. The show is hosted by Cameron Daddo, and takes place in the
Caribbean island nation of Dominica. The show premiered on Thursday May 31,
2007. The show also airs on CTV in Canada, Sky Three in the UK, premiered on
June 21, 2007 on Network Ten in Australia, and premiered on July 4, 2007 on
ANX Asia. On July 10 in the US, Pirate Master moved to Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
(ET). In its Tuesday run, it would follow the 9 p.m. (ET) broadcast of Big
Brother 8. As of July 24, Pirate Master will be online only on CBS.com's
Innertube, with a new episode presented each week.[1]
Premise
As of the airing of the ninth episode and based on information from the CBS
website,[2] the contest appears to follow the pattern described below; it is
uncertain at this point whether or not these procedures will change.
The premise is based on the fictional legend of the pirate captain Henry
Steel and the Treasure of Zanzibar.[3][4] Based on this tale, Steel divided
his loot into 14 parts and hid them across the island of Dominica. A special
chest, the Chest of Zanzibar, was created with 15 locked compartments, each
containing maps and clues to find each of these stashes. The treasure found
through the clues in one compartment will contain a key that can be used to
open another compartment. The 15th compartment, which can only be opened
once each other compartment has been opened in order, contains a map showing
the location of every gold stash on the island of Dominica and would lead to
the largest prize.[5]
Expeditions
Each week, the contestants are divided into two crews, Black and Red, to
hunt for the treasures indicated by the maps and clues obtained from the
most recently opened part on the Chest of Zanzibar. The captain and his
officers are automatically part of the Black Crew, and the remaining players
are randomly assigned to the other crews by pulling colored gunshots out of
bags; there may be separate bags for the men and women to even out the
gender distributions on each crew if, for example, the captain and his
officers are all of the same gender.[6] The Black Crew gains the extra
player when an odd number of people are available.[7] For the first
expedition only, crews are randomly assigned.[5]
Both crews simultaneously go on expeditions and decipher clues along the way
to find gold coins hidden around the island of Dominica. During the
expedition, there is the potential for the currently leading crew (based on
the trailing member of the team) to "sabotage" the other crew at a given
point and slow them down in the hunt, such as by causing a net to fall to
block passage along a river. There also may be booby traps that can slow
down the leading team.[6] The first crew to successfully retrieve the
treasure, even if another crew arrived and started searching first, wins the
treasure, and indicates their victory by firing a pistol to let the other
crew know that the expedition is over.[6]
Should the Black team win (lead by the current Captain), the Captain retains
his or her position, and has the option to replace his Officers prior to
divvying the winnings.[7] Should the Red team win, they elect a new Captain
who will select two other crew members as the Officers.[8] For the first
expedition only, the winning crew gets to elect the Captain in this same
manner.[5] The Captain claims 50% of the total gold discovered, the Officers
share 25% of the gold, while the rest of the winning crew members share the
remaining 25% of the gold;[5] when necessary, distributions are rounded to
the nearest $100.[8] The prized gold is given to the crew members
immediately, and allows them to strike deals with each other and vie for
long-term security. This money cannot be stolen by other players.[9] Of the
total $1 million prize that the show offers, $500,000 will be distributed
through the show in this manner.
When there are 8 players remaining in the game, only a Captain position is
selected, and any current Officers are demoted.[10] The Black crew
(including the Captain) and Red crew continue the expedition as before, with
the winning team retaining or selecting a captain. The Captain then gets the
full amount of the treasure.
Pirates' Court
At the end of each episode, there is a Pirates' Court. Prior to this Court's
proceedings, the Captain distributes letters, three of which contain a black
ink blot (called a "black spot"). The three contestants marked with a "black
spot" are the ones nominated to be voted off and cannot take part in the
voting process that follows; the Captain and his officers are not allowed to
vote either. The remaining crew members then cast their votes by impaling
their ballots on an upturned dagger. The contestant with the most votes is
then "cut adrift" (i.e., voted off the show).[5] In case of a tie, the
captain decides which of the tied players he will cast adrift.[8] However,
if the crew band together and unanimously vote for a mutiny against the
Captain, then the officers will have a chance to vote; if they both agree
with the crew, the Captain is cut adrift instead; it is unknown if a new
Captain is immediately chosen by the crew or not. If either Officer
disagrees with the mutiny, the mutiny fails, and the Captain can then choose
any player (including those that did not have the Black Spot but that voted
for mutiny) to be set adrift.[11]
The fourth episode introduced a "Royal Pardon" found in the treasure, a
document given to the Captain after the expedition. Prior to the
distribution of the next Black Spot letters, each player may bid secretly
for the Pardon. At the Pirates' Court, after the votes have been placed, the
winning bid of the Pardon is announced, and the bid amount is paid to
whomever currently holds the pardon. If that player has the most votes, that
player is safe, and the next highest vote earner is cut adrift, and the
Pardon is removed from the game. If he does not receive the most votes, he
retains the Pardon but must sell it to a different player via silent auction
by the next Pirates' Court.[12][6] The Royal Pardon is removed from the game
after the 9th Pirate Court, whether if used or not.[10]
When there are 8 players remaining, the Captain solely selects two players
for Black Spots. Because there are no Officers, a unanimous vote for mutiny
will result in the Captain being set adrift immediately.[10]
In the end, Captain or not, only one pirate will win the largest booty,
worth $500,000, and claim the title of "Pirate Master."
Ghost Crew
The eighth episode introduced a "Ghost Crew" made up of the previously
eliminated 7 players.[13] The remaining players in the game compete as a
single Black Crew against the Ghost Crew. Should the Black Crew win, the
rest of the game played out as normal. If the Ghost Crew should win, they
not only keep the treasure, but get to decide which 3 of the remaining
players would get the Black Spot for the Pirate's Court, and there would be
no Captain or Officers until the next expedition.
Features of the Show
The show is notable for its very atmospheric setting and props. Much of the
show takes place on the ship, called the Picton Castle, but the contestants
also disembark and explore island rivers and muddy riverbanks in search of
gold. Skeletons, keys, and other pirate-themed paraphernalia are scattered
about the foggy island environment.
Other stereotypical pirate-like features include pirate-themed music,
pirate-like clothing (note that the captain and the officers don costumes
signifying their superior rank), and the performance of laborious chores
aboard the ship. The ship's main mast sports a Jolly Roger, stylized with a
Pirate Master logo.
The ship itself is manned by the real crew of the Picton Castle, though the
show contestants do assist with manning the sails and other tasks.[14]
Contestants
Contestant Current Rank, Week Notes Cut Adrift Number of Votes Net Treasure
John Lakness
25, Carlisle, MA Cut Adrift First Episode 10 $2,000
Christian Okoye
45, Enugu, Nigeria Cut Adrift Second Episode 5 $200
Alexis Shubin
26, Laguna Beach, CA Cut Adrift Third Episode 5
Captain's Choice $22,000
Cheryl Kosewicz
35, Sparks, NV (deceased) Cut Adrift Fourth Episode 8 $10,625
Sean Twomey
27, Venice, CA Cut Adrift Fifth Episode 5 $2,040
Jocelyn "Joy" McElveen
21, West Columbia, SC Cut Adrift Sixth Episode 3 $6,166
Joe Don "J.D." Morton
36, Fairbanks, AK Cut Adrift Seventh Episode 6 $22,100
Elicia "Jupiter" Mendoza
30, Los Angeles, CA Cut Adrift Eighth Episode 3 $22,916
Azmyth Kaminski
26, Los Angeles, CA Cut Adrift Ninth Episode 5 $39,740
Ben Fagan
23, Charleston, SC
Christa DeAngelo
29, Tamaqua, PA Captain
Jay Hatkow
37, Detroit, MI
Kendra Guffey
38, Los Angeles, CA Black Spot 6
Laurel Schmidt
21, Los Angeles, CA
Louie "Rufus" Frase
43, Fishing Creek, MD 2
Nessa Nemir
29, Berkeley, CA
Episodes
# Title Treasure Hidden By Original airdate
1 "I Want That Treasure" 2007-05-31
The contestants board the Picton Castle and recover the Chest of Zanzibar.
Joe Don becomes arrogant upon taking the role of Captain. Although he led
the Black Crew to victory in the first expedition, Jon was cut adrift for
annoying the crew and threatening to steal the compasses.
2 "Pirates, Guns and Money" Master Gunner 2007-06-07
Joe Don initiates an alliance with Jay to trade money for information. Joy
injures her knee during the expedition. Joe Don's arrogance as Captain
dampens the ship morale. Christian is cut adrift for slowing down the
expedition crews.
3 "Bribes, Lies, and Vengeful Eyes" The Quarter Master 2007-06-14
Azmyth leads the Red Crew to its first victory and becomes the new Captain.
While some are excited when Azmyth shares the wealth, others question his
newfound British accent. Jay attempts to bribe Sean into voting against
Cheryl. However, Alexis is cut adrift due to her volitile attitude and lack
of teamwork.
4 "Death by Coconuts" The Master Craftsman 2007-06-21
Several ladies secretly discuss their dislike for Nessa's flirting. The
Black Crew loses the expedition when Azmyth leads them astray. The Royal
Pardon is revealed. Joe Don's ultimatum to Jay backfires when Jay reveals
their alliance. Louie, the new Captain, seeks to fulfill his vendetta
against ex-captain Joe Don for hoarding the treasure. At Pirate's Court,
Cheryl is cut adrift for alienating herself from the crew early on.
5 "Loose Lips Sink Ships" The Pilot 2007-06-28
Christa conquers her fear of heights. Sean butts heads with Jay and Nessa.
Azmyth regains the role of Captain, then chooses Ben and Jay as officers to
form an alliance of strong men. Joe Don lends Nessa money to buy the Royal
Pardon, but Azmyth turns the tables by not marking her with the Black Spot.
Sean is cut adrift for being untrustworthy.
6 "Lambs to the Slaughter" The Bosun 2007-07-05
Jupiter takes over the cook's role. The crew begins to resent Azmyth's
change in personality as captain. The triad of Azmyth, Ben, and Jay lead the
Black Crew to victory. They decide to strengthen their team by marking
weaker Joy and Kendra, and strong Joe Don with Black Spots. After a close
vote, Joy is cut adrift.
7 "A Deal With the Devil" The Purser 2007-07-10
The Triad works Joe Don and Louie hard with ship chores to weaken them
before the expedition. After another Black Crew victory, Jay offers Kendra
safety in trade for a vote against Joe Don. Jupiter squashes the crew's
hopes of mutiny. Joe Don and Nessa's feelings for each other grow stronger.
Without the safety of the Royal Pardon, Joe Don is cut adrift in favor of
keeping personable Louie.
8 "Spirits in the Material World" The Navigator 2007-07-17
Jay calls out Kendra for going back on her word. The previously cut adrift
pirates return as a Ghost Crew to compete against the current crew.
Unfortunately, John loses the Ghost Crew's key and costs them the victory.
Jupiter announces the crew's thoughts of mutiny at dinner in hopes that
Azmyth choose new Officers. Instead, Azmyth takes her warning as a threat
and marks her for with a Black Spot. Revealing their plans at dinner also
alienated her from the crew, leading the crew to cut her adrift.
9 "24 Hour Party Pirates" The Cook 2007-07-24
The eight remaining pirates are summoned to a party in a hideout. The day
after, Cameron reveals that Jay and Ben are no longer officers and they take
part in the expedition on the Red Crew, while Azmyth is left alone on the
Black Crew. The Red Crew wins and elects its first women captain: Christa.
Christa feels that the Captain position is hard for her because she thinks
she could get a Black Spot after she departs the Captain's Quarters. She was
also given all the booty from the expedition. Jay gave a plan to Chirsta to
bribe Kendra into thinking about buying pardon and ending the plan with
Kendra being cut adrift. Azmyth and Kendra are put up on the Black Spot. The
whole crew decides to cut Azmyth adrift, keeping Kendra from being cut
adrift once again.
10 "Chickens with Their Heads Cut Off" 2007-07-31
Weekly Crew Assignments
Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7
Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10 Booty Earned
Winning Crew
Black Crew
Black Crew
Red Crew
Red Crew
Red Crew
Black Crew
Black Crew
Black Crew
Red Crew
Booty Found
$40,000
$45,000
$35,000
$5,000
$40,000
$40,000
$35,000
$50,000
$50,000
Crew Member Crew / Booty share
Ben
12.5%($5,000)
12.5%($5,625)
-
16.66%($833.33)
16.67%($6,666)
20%($8,000)
20%($7,000)
20%($10,000)
25%($12,500)
Christa
-
5%($2,250)
14.28%($5,000)
-
-
13.33%($5,333.33)
-
6.66%($3,333.33)
45%($22,500)
Jay
-
-
14.28%($5,000)
-
16.67%($6,666)
20%($8,000)
20%($7,000)
20%($10,000)
25%($12,500)
Kendra
5%($2,000)
-
14.28%($5,000)
16.66%($833.33)
16.67%($6,666)
-
-
6.66%($3,333.33)
5%($2,500)
Laurel
-
-
-
-
16.67%($6,666)
13.33%($5,333.33)
20%($7,000)
6.66%($3,333.33)
-
Louie
5%($2,000)
5%($2,250)
14.28%($5,000)
16.66%($833.33)
-
-
-
6.66%($3,333.33)
-
Nessa
-
5%($2,250)
14.28%($5,000)
16.66%($833.33)
-
-
-
6.66%($3,333.33)
-
Azmyth
-
5%($2,250)
14.28%($5,000)
-
16.67%($6,666)
20%($8,000)
20%($7,000)
20%($10,000)
-
$39,740
Jupiter
5%($2,000)
5%($2,250)
14.28%($5,000)
-
16.67%($6,666)
-
20%($7,000)
6.66%($3,333.33)
$22,916
Joe Don
50%($20,000)
50%($22,500)
-
-
-
-
-
-
$22,100
Joy
-
-
-
16.66%($833.33)
-
13.33%($5,333.33)
-
$6,166
Sean
-
-
-
16.66%($833.33)
-
-
$2,040
Cheryl
12.5%($5,000)
12.5%($5,625)
-
-
-
$10,625
Alexis
5%($2,000)
-
-
-
$2,000
Christian
-
-
-
$200
John
5%($2,000)
-
$2,000
Voting history
Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Episode 6 Episode 7
Episode 8 Episode 9 Episode 10
Pardon
Holder
Pardon Not in Play
Joe Don
($7,000) Nessa
($9,000) Joe Don
($12,000) Nessa
($5,000) Kendra
($4,000) Christa
($10,000)
Pardon
Expired
Cut Adrift John
10/10 Votes Christian
5/9 Votes Alexis
4/8 Votes Cheryl
4/7 Votes Sean
5/6 Votes Joy
3/5 Votes Joe Don
3/4 Votes Jupiter
3/3 Votes Azmyth
5/5 Votes
Voters
Votes
Ben
Officer
Officer
Alexis
Joe Don
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Azmyth
Christa
John
Christian
Cheryl
Cheryl
Sean
Kendra
Joe Don
Jupiter
Captain
Jay
John
Christian
Officer
Cheryl
Officer
Officer
Officer
Officer
Azmyth
Kendra
John
Black Spot
Cheryl
Cheryl
Sean
Black Spot
Louie
Black Spot
Black Spot
Laurel
John
Kendra
Black Spot
Cheryl
Black Spot
Joy
Joe Don
Black Spot
Azmyth
Louie
Black Spot
Kendra
Cheryl
Captain
Black Spot
Joy
Black Spot
Jupiter
Azmyth
Nessa
John
Kendra
Cheryl
Officer
Sean
Joy
Black Spot
Jupiter
Azmyth
Azmyth
John
Christian
Alexis2
Black Spot
Captain
Captain
Captain
Captain
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 22)
Jupiter
John
Christian
Officer
Joe Don
Louie
Kendra
Joe Don
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 19)
Joe Don
Captain
Captain
Alexis
Black Spot
Sean
Black Spot
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 17)
Joy
Black Spot
Black Spot
Alexis
Joe Don
Sean
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 15)
Sean
John
Christian
Alexis
Officer
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 13)
Cheryl
Officer
Officer
Black Spot
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 11)
Alexis
John
Kendra
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 9)
Christian
John
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 6)
John
Black Spot
Cut Adrift
(Day 3)
Voting reasons
* Episode 1: John Lakness - His attitude initially put off a few people, and
the theft of the compasses did not help.(10-0-0-0.)
* Episode 2: Christian Okoye - Physically strong, his size made him slower
and held his team back.(5-4-0-0.)
* Episode 3: Alexis Shubin - Jumped ship during the treasure hunt, costing
her team time.(4-4-0-0.)
* Episode 4: Cheryl Kosewicz - Voted out for her close connection with Joe
Don.(4-3-0-0.)
* Episode 5: Sean Twomey - Perceived as being untrustworthy.(5-1-0-0.)
* Episode 6: Joy McElveen - Was slow and weak at expeditions.(3-2-0-0.)
* Episode 7: Joe Don Morton - Perceived as a threat.(3-1-0-0.)
* Episode 8: Jupiter Mendoza - Called out the captain for Mutiny.(3-0-0-0.)
* Episode 9: Azmyth Kaminski - Former captain/strongest competition.
(5-0-0.)
Black Spot Reasons
* Episode 1-Louie/Joy-Louie for his talk of Mutiny, Joy for her likeablity.
They got no votes.
* Episode 2-Kendra/Joy-Kendra for her slow swimming, Joy for her bad knee.
Kendra got 4 votes.
* Episode 3-Cheryl/Laurel-Laurel's weakness and Cheryl's association with
Joe Don. Cheryl got 4 votes.
* Episode 4-Azmyth/Joe Don-Azmyth's mistakes on the Expedition, Louie's
"vendetta" with Joe Don. Joe Don got 3 votes.
* Episode 5-Laurel/Louie-Louie's threat status and Laurel's weakness. Louie
got 1 vote.
* Episode 6-Kendra/Joe Don-Joe Don's threat status and Kendra's slow
swimming. Kendra got 2 votes.
* Episode 7-Louie/Nessa-Nessa's flirtation. Louie filled the last vacancy
for no hateful reason. Louie got 1 vote.
* Episode 8-Kendra/Laurel-Laurel's rudeness to Azmyth and Kendra's slow
swimming. They got no votes.
* Episode 9-Kendra- Slow and weakest competitor. She got no votes.
Critical Reception
Pirate Master, to date, has not performed well in ratings, drawing in only 7
million viewers on the premiere episode, and subsequent showings drawing in
less.[15] Joshua Alston of Newsweek called the debut episode a "confusing
muddle".[16] Some critics have considered that the failure of both Pirate
Master and On the Lot represent not only troubling issues for Mark Burnett,
but for reality television as well.[17] In the UK from episode 5 onward, the
show was moved from its Sunday night primetime slot on Sky's main
entertainment channel Sky One to Monday nights at 6 p.m. on Sky Three; a
channel which usually only shows content from Sky One but on a 12-18 month
delay. CBS moved the show from Thursday at 8 p.m. to Tuesday at 10 p.m.
After continued low ratings, CBS canceled Pirate Master on July 23, 2007 and
will be showing the remaining episodes on CBS Innertube.[1]
Post Show
* Contestant Cheryl Kosewicz, the fourth person to leave the game, was found
dead inside her home on July 27, 2007. The cause of death is currently
unknown, but is believed to be a suicide. [18]
Footnotes
Note 1: Booty awards are based only on the amount of money directly given to
each player as a result of winning the treasure hunt. Booty that may be
exchanged afterward is not counted in this column, due to the inability to
verify these amounts from the show as presented; however, the CBS Pirate
Master Wiki includes a "Treasure Tracker".[19] that may include these
values.
Note 2: In the event of a tie, the Captain decides who is to be cut adrift.
References
1. ^ a b CBS cancels 'Pirate Master' (2007-07-23). Retrieved on 2007-07-23.
2. ^ Official Pirate Master Website. CBS. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
3. ^ The Legend of Henry Steel. Pirate Master Wiki. CBS. Retrieved on
2007-05-31.
4. ^ Hyman, Todd (2007-05-24). A pirate’s life for me. Long Island Press.
Long Island Press. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.
5. ^ a b c d e "I Want That Treasure." Pirate Master. 2007-05-31. No. 1,
season 1.
6. ^ a b c d "Loose Lips Sink Ships." Pirate Master. 2007-06-28. No. 5,
season 1.
7. ^ a b "Pirates, Guns, and Money." Pirate Master. 2007-06-07. No. 2,
season 1.
8. ^ a b c "Bribes, Lies, and Vengeful Eyes." Pirate Master. 2007-06-14. No.
3, season 1.
9. ^ Cohn, Angel (2007-05-31). Ahoy! Pirate Master's Hunky Host Reveals the
Game's Booty-ful Secrets. TV Guide. TV Guide. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
10. ^ a b c "24 Hour Party Pirates." Pirate Master. 2007-07-23. No. 9,
season 1.
11. ^ Bloomberg, David (2007-06-04). “A Series of Rhetorical Failures” – An
Interview with Pirate Master’s John. Reality News Online. Retrieved on
2007-06-05.
12. ^ "Death by Coconuts." Pirate Master. 2007-06-21. No. 4, season 1.
13. ^ "Spirits in the Material World." Pirate Master. 2007-07-17. No. 8,
season 1.
14. ^ Standing, Erin (2007-05-07). The Picton Castle’s Very Own Pirate’s
Passage Through the Caribbean. Picton Castle Website. Windward Isles Sailing
Ship Company. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.
15. ^ Frutkin, A.J. (2007-06-18). New Reality TV Falls Flat as Genre
Saturates. Mediaweek. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
16. ^ Alston, Joshua (2007-06-16). Is Reality TV Over?. Newsweek. MSNBC.
Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
17. ^ Collins, Scott (2007-06-18). Reality is Tough, Even for This Guy. Los
Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
18. ^ Local District Attorney Found Dead (2007-07-29). Retrieved on
2007-07-29.
19. ^ Treasure Tracker. Pirate Master Wiki. CBS (2007-06-07). Retrieved on
2007-06-07.
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