Since my mystery novel Sink or Swim has a reality show premise, many interviewers have asked me what my favorite reality show is. Until recently, I didn’t have a good answer. There were shows I’d watch now and then when my husband was flipping through the channels, such as Wife Swap or Undercover Boss, but nothing that kept me returning week after week. The one exception was a skating show several years ago, which never returned for a second season.
But this spring, I discovered a reality show that had my family setting up the DVR. When I first heard about Splash, all I knew was that it had something to do with jumping into the water. This raised my interest, as the fictional reality show in my book Sink or Swim takes place aboard a ship and has one contestant walk the plank each week.
But leaping off a board into the water is where the similarity between the book and the shows ends. On Splash, 10 celebrities trained and competed in regulation platform and springboard diving at dizzying heights in front of a weekly poolside audience. Leading up to the competition, diving legend Greg Louganis gave each celebrity weeks of training. Each dive was critiqued by the judges, London Olympic U.S. Gold medalist David Boudia and Australian Olympic athlete and USA Dive Team director Steve Foley.
These dives were no easy feat, as demonstrated by the footage of the contestants during their practice sessions. I was amazed at how well the celebrities performed when the pressure was on. I also admired the guts they displayed in stepping out of their comfort zones. I also saw many examples of sportsmanship, with contestants constantly cheering each other on and complimenting one another. I thought it was a great show for parents and kids to watch together, with many teachable moments about sportsmanship, working hard, focusing on a goal, making tough choices, and trying something new.
As part of my #BooksforRealityTVFans blog series, I was pleased to host a special interview with extreme skier Rory Bushfield, who won the first season of Splash. Stop by to read Rory’s interview and to learn more about The Sarah Burke Foundation, established in memory of his wife. Also be sure to visit the Splash website to meet the divers, check out photos and videos, and watch full episodes online. ABC, I can’t wait for Season 2!
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Stacy Juba has written sweet and sassy chick lit novels, mysteries about determined women sleuths, and entertaining books for young adults and children. Her books include the Storybook Valley chick lit series and the Hockey Rivals young adult sports novels.
Stacy is also a freelance developmental editor and online course creator. Sign up for her free masterclass, How to Create Your Editing Game Plan.
Stop by her other websites and blogs: Shortcuts for Writers and Hockey Rivals.
