What Can't These Guys Figure Out? Girls
The first few moments of The Pickup Artist shows the eight guys chosen for the show talking about how fearful they are of women, and how they've struck out meeting gals in the past. Says Pradeep, "I don't know what to do when I'm talking to women," which is a fairly accurate synopsis applicable to all eight of them - except perhaps for the "40-year-old virgin plus five years," which made me cringe as I heard it. Why would someone would want to admit that on national television is beyond me.
Each guy is quickly categorized: the guy who everyone thinks is gay, the 45 year old virgin, the non-stop talker, the 'big' guy, and so forth. Not all of the guys are introduced however, and the show quickly moves on to Mystery - the master pickup artist. They share his real name, Eric Von Markovic, and then explain that he too was once unlucky with the ladies as several pictures of him growing up flash over the television screen. But after being turned down by "hundreds" of women, Mystery decided to create a system that attracts women in a variety of situations. Mystery's tactics are well explained in his book "The Mystery Method", or Neil Strauss' behind the scenes book that describes "The Game". J Dogg and Matador, two former students of Mystery's round out the cast of eleven.
The show then moves on to explain the premise of the series: get the guys to meet as many women as possible, while using the techniques and tools taught to them by Mystery and his cohorts. Pass and the guys make it on to another show, fail and you'll be voted off. "State of the art" cameras are placed in strategic locations around the locations in which the guys are to pick up women, and each attempt at wooing a gal will be critiqued at length. The winner will receive the title of Master Pick Up Artist and a grand prize of $50,000 USD.
After the credits roll the guys get off the bus and are introduced one by one:
- Joe, 25, who struggles to evolve from friends to more than friends;
- Pradeep, 22, who talks on and on and on... and has no idea when its time to stop;
- Steven (Spoon), 27, incredibly shy and self-conscious;
- Alvaro, 23, "never had a girlfriend" guy, because he's so nervous he can't even say hi to a girl;
- Fred, 45, still a virgin who "doesn't see his opportunities";
- Scott, 26, a stutterer;
- Joe, 24, who finds that women think he's gay; and
- Brady, 25, who feels inadequate with women in general.
After introducing themselves to the audience and one another, the subject of rejection comes up - to which most of the guys admit they are deathly afraid of it. But before the conversation can really get going, Mystery calls, basically calling the guys on their bluff and making sure no one wants to back out at the last minute. Since everyone was willing to move forward, Mystery informs the group that a bus is on its way to pick them all up and begin their first challenge.
When the guys show up at The Foundation (the chosen club of the evening), they are introduced to Mystery (Eric), J Dogg (Justin) and Matador (James). Mystery then asks some extremely personal questions of the group, such as how many virgins there are in the group (half haven't had sex yet), and what each person's story is.
After a commercial break the eight gents come back to show Mystery and his crew just how much they have to learn in the pickup artist field -- and it becomes quickly apparent that each and everyone one of them need a lot of help. Even before they get to the club the guys go over all of their faults that they feel are keeping them from meeting women (too picky, false teeth, overweight, etc.) Some of the information is a bit too honest, and I feel squeamish hearing some of it. No wonder these guys aren't doing well with women - few have enough self esteem to attract what they want, and most are focusing on their negative traits instead of what they have to offer.
The show starts to feel a bit contrived at this point, as Mystery explains what the men are expected to do: meet an attractive gal, interact with her, and try to get her phone number. Mystery then says that in his experience, this will be an eye opening, painful and difficult experience to watch -- all on hidden camera. And when Mystery asks the guys if they are ready to meet some beautiful women, the guys scoff and laugh - very telling of what's to come.
