For the next six weeks, you will control Tristan’s life. Or at least, in Seth Green’s new show ControlTV, the viewing public will. Tristan is a regular guy living a regular life, who has decided to let TV (and web) viewers make every decision, starting this morning when he was delightfully woken up by a Mariachi Band.
Right before he went into the opposite of hiding, we talked to Tristan over the phone and asked the hard hitting questions, like:
UGO: Why are you doing this?
Tristan: I guess the simple answer is that its going to be fun and exciting and entertaining – and I’ll also be at the forefront of a new form of entertainment, so that’s exciting too!
UGO: Okay fair enough... Going into it, what’s your best case scenario and what’s your worst case scenario?
Tristan: The best-case scenario would be that people watch it and love it and that I have a great time doing it. As for worst case scenario, I could be tormented and tortured for doing it... And nobody watches. It’s just the same four guys who keep watching and voting against me.
UGO: Going into this, you have to have some sort of philosophical view of human nature, right?
Tristan: I believe the best in human nature... Even though the scientific studies are against that. I think at first it’ll be rough. But my hope is that once the viewers realize there’s a human being behind it, reacting, that you’ll develop a relationship with me, like a character on a television show.
UGO: Since you’re now going to be on TV, what will the TV show of your life be like? A comedy? A drama? Straight-up reality show shenanigans?
Tristan: I would hope – and I believe - my life is a blend of all those thing. And my understanding of it from the producers’ standpoint is that it’s more like helping someone, like Undercover Boss... More of a feel good show.
UGO: Seriously, though – have you seen The Truman Show, or even Ed TV? They seem to be pretty clear on the fact that this is a very, very bad idea.
Tristan: They’re just movies, right? They’re scripted, they need to keep the story moving. Do I trust that in this case, in this show, they have the roadmap for what’s happening? Clearly not, or I wouldn’t be doing this. But I’m just lucky to be at the forefront, where I can be involved in a situation like this.
UGO: Before the cameras go on, do you have a metaphorical last meal?
Tristan: I kind of had a weekend to just sort of enjoy doing everything I wanted to do. I didn’t go out where any of my friends wanted, I went wherever I wanted to go. I just embraced life, and being able to make whatever little decisions I could.
UGO: Getting back to The Truman Show, back then this was a pretty new idea. But now you have lifecasting, Justin.tv, video blogs... Do you have an experience doing any of that?
Tristan: It’s entirely new to me... I didn’t even know that anyone had done anything like this until one of my buddies told me. That’s my lack of researching. I haven’t done acting, or been on camera. As little as a month ago, if you had told me I would be in this situation I would have called you a liar, and said you were crazy.
UGO: The pitch of the show is that it’s like a real life video game. So who is your favorite video game character, and how will you emulate them?
Tristan: It’s gotta be Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid, and I don’t think I can emulate him in any way, other than I’ll try to stay a tough guy. I don’t think I’ll ever cry on the show... Solid Snake would never cry.
UGO: I know part of the point is that you can’t predict anything, but how do you think this show will change you?
Tristan: I’m sure I’m going to be a different person than I am now, but I have absolutely no idea... It’s going to be an exciting ride, and I’m looking forward to it – I just hope it doesn’t lead me to a mental institution, because I lose my mind.
UGO: Just to wrap up... Umm... Spoilers?
Tristan: I’m kept really in the dark about everything. I know we’re having a party on Wednesday, but I literally know nothing. I’m just a regular guy, a normal guy... I would plead with the people to have fun, and take it easy on me.
