SJSU alum wins chance at ESPN �reality�

By Daniel Lopez, Daily Staff Writer
September 06, 2002

Aubrey Aquino, a graduate of broadcast journalism in 1998 and former Oakland Raiderette, was selected to participate in the new ESPN reality television show, "Beg, Borrow and Deal."

Aquino, was selected from a pool of applicants to participate on the television show that places two four-member teams on the street in New York's Time Square with nothing but the clothes on their back and a driver's license.

The objective of the show is for the teams to travel from New York to San Francisco's Alcatraz Island and to complete 10 sports-related tasks from a list of 40 possible as they travel.

The tasks range from catching a bullet pass from an NFL quarterback to playing in a prison basketball game. The twist is that the teams only have 30 days to beg, borrow and deal their way across the country and complete the 10 tasks.

The prize for each member of the winning team is two tickets to four championship sporting events of their choice.

Neil Mandt, executive producer and creator of the show, said Aquino was selected to participate on the show because she demonstrated an ability to succeed on the show.

Aquino showed off her survival skills by sending a tape that demonstrated how she was able to get free popcorn and a movie voucher.

Aquino's background in sports also made her a good choice for the show, Mandt said. He described Aquino as a, "Pretty and outgoing girl with strong knowledge of sports."

"What else do you want," he added.

Aquino described the experience as something unique.

She said that being totally dependent on strangers was nothing she had ever done.

"All I had were my wits and will to win," she said. Aquino would not say if her team had won because she is under contract.

The show, which premiers on ESPN on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. EST, promises to be different than other reality shows, according to Mandt.

Mandt said he created the show because he knew reality television could be better. "What sets this show apart from others is the motive of the people who participate," he said.

In other shows, Mandt says the motivation is money.

"The million dollars that contestants can win is what other shows are all about."

He added that the prize, two tickets to four championship events are mentioned only in the first five minutes of the first episode and no longer after that.