I’ve just sat through the first edition of The Next Internet Millionaire (aff). I put off watching it because I’m neither a fan of television nor reality TV shows. After the buzz that this show has been generating – plugged on Pro Blogger, John Chow, Zac Johnson, and so on – I thought it could have been something worthwhile and entertaining. How wrong I was.

For a start, it’s nothing new. It’s a formulaic show based on 12 people striving to be the next internet millionaire by competing for a grand prize of $25,000 (go figure). There’s a vague promise that Joel Comm, whose idea this whole show is, will work with the winner on his new project, whatever that may be.

There’s a reason why Internet stuff and television shows don’t go together – it’s normally very boring. Joel Comm isn’t exactly the most charismatic guy. And the Hacker Safe immunity shirt? Way to plug your sponsors with cheesy product placement. The short rundown of her company given by the Hacker Safe employee made me cringe.

There were lots of snazzy terms thrown around (like the COMMplex) but this show just isn’t cool. The tasks were all rather dull and this isn’t really the sort of thing I could see myself getting hooked to because the overall aim of the show is just so lifeless. Whoever thought that simpelology would be entertaining obviously hasn’t produced many TV shows.

Maybe I’m missing the point. Perhaps The Next Internet Millionaire is supposed to be educational, but if that’s the case then there really isn’t any need to dramaticize the hell out of every simple task the contestants are asked to do.

I’ll stick around to check out episode two (available August 27) but I don’t hold out much hope for this series.

What are your thoughts on Joel Comm’s latest venture?

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