Redemption Inc., episode 4: shirts and skins (and flip-flops)
This week’s episode of Redemption Inc. was an emotional rollercoaster. The ex-cons pulled together to sell 50/50 tickets for charity (hurrah!), but two of them also pulled muscles in a pathetic display of athletic incompetence (boo!). We saw more of Sam without a shirt on (bizarre, but enjoyable), and we also saw more of the saccharine, nice Kevin O’Leary (seriously, what’s the deal, Kevin?). We unpack all the action—including Adam’s scandalous end-of-episode confession—after the jump.
The challenge this week—selling 50/50 tickets to benefit youth sports programs—was the first that seemed to test the competitors’ business skills, rather than their ability to stomach silly outfits or pal around with dogs. That said, the crafty Redemption Inc. producers wouldn’t let a week go by without some form of humiliation, so the ex-cons are forced to do some soccer drills, on the flimsy grounds that it will motivate them to sell more tickets (um, sure). After Adam pulls his groin and Joe tears his knee, the humiliation quota is reached and the rest of the ex-cons are allowed to stop.
On the night of the challenge, only four of the contestants show up at BMO Field (dependable Jeff is among them—obviously). It’s all very dire until Adam and Joe come hobbling in like war heroes, earning themselves some extended shoulder squeezing from Brian O’Dea (has anyone else noticed how touchy O’Dea is? Hands to yourself, buddy). Suddenly, we’re in a feel-good movie: the team (minus Ryan, who is still AWOL) sells a zillion tickets and gets applause from the crowd as they take the field to hand out a giant novelty cheque. We may have shed a tear.
The elimination runs as expected: Ryan explains his absence with the classic “family issue” excuse, Kevin doesn’t believe him but also doesn’t tear into him (sigh) and Ryan is sent on his way with a Price Is Right–style package that includes a laptop, a scooter and a set of golf clubs (presumably Ryan will be able to get a country club membership now, and take a Roman holiday). We’re already packing up and giving thanks that Jeff slid under the radar for yet another week when Adam suddenly confesses to the others that he was a correctional officer, netting him a range of horrified looks. We think he just painted a target on his back (which is fine by us if it keeps Jeff safe).
• Number of ex-cons who appeared to have played soccer before: 1
• Number of soccer-based injuries: 2
• Number of “ehs”: 9 (Canadian television is great, eh?)
• Number of seconds Sam was shown without a shirt: 37
• Number of times a connection was made between selling tickets for charity and the ex-cons’ redemption: 4
• Number of ex-cons wearing flip-flops at elimination: 1 (Ryan, you really gave up.)
• Number of ex-cons wearing primary-coloured ties à la Kevin O’Leary: 1
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Redemption Inc.Episode 4
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This week’s episode of Redemption Inc. was an emotional rollercoaster. The ex-cons pulled together to sell 50/50 tickets for charity (hurrah!), but two of them also pulled muscles in a pathetic display of athletic incompetence (boo!). We saw more of Sam without a shirt on (bizarre, but enjoyable), and we also saw more of the saccharine, nice Kevin O’Leary (seriously, what’s the deal, Kevin?). We unpack all the action—including Adam’s scandalous end-of-episode confession—after the jump.
The challenge this week—selling 50/50 tickets to benefit youth sports programs—was the first that seemed to test the competitors’ business skills, rather than their ability to stomach silly outfits or pal around with dogs. That said, the crafty Redemption Inc. producers wouldn’t let a week go by without some form of humiliation, so the ex-cons are forced to do some soccer drills, on the flimsy grounds that it will motivate them to sell more tickets (um, sure). After Adam pulls his groin and Joe tears his knee, the humiliation quota is reached and the rest of the ex-cons are allowed to stop.
On the night of the challenge, only four of the contestants show up at BMO Field (dependable Jeff is among them—obviously). It’s all very dire until Adam and Joe come hobbling in like war heroes, earning themselves some extended shoulder squeezing from Brian O’Dea (has anyone else noticed how touchy O’Dea is? Hands to yourself, buddy). Suddenly, we’re in a feel-good movie: the team (minus Ryan, who is still AWOL) sells a zillion tickets and gets applause from the crowd as they take the field to hand out a giant novelty cheque. We may have shed a tear.
The elimination runs as expected: Ryan explains his absence with the classic “family issue” excuse, Kevin doesn’t believe him but also doesn’t tear into him (sigh) and Ryan is sent on his way with a Price Is Right–style package that includes a laptop, a scooter and a set of golf clubs (presumably Ryan will be able to get a country club membership now, and take a Roman holiday). We’re already packing up and giving thanks that Jeff slid under the radar for yet another week when Adam suddenly confesses to the others that he was a correctional officer, netting him a range of horrified looks. We think he just painted a target on his back (which is fine by us if it keeps Jeff safe).
• Number of ex-cons who appeared to have played soccer before: 1
• Number of soccer-based injuries: 2
• Number of “ehs”: 9 (Canadian television is great, eh?)
• Number of seconds Sam was shown without a shirt: 37
• Number of times a connection was made between selling tickets for charity and the ex-cons’ redemption: 4
• Number of ex-cons wearing flip-flops at elimination: 1 (Ryan, you really gave up.)
• Number of ex-cons wearing primary-coloured ties à la Kevin O’Leary: 1){kind=link}
Who cares if he was once a correctional guard, he became a criminal like everyone else….that storyline is no good.
Funny coincidence: Ryan has a son named Roman.
I think Adam is the sleeper pic. I think he is going to pull through and win.. he knows them all better then they know him. He has been in there shoes and the havnt been in his. Isnt knowledge power? I would put money on it.
dear Mike… what a stupid idiot you are. ex jail guard, then criminal and now pawn shop owner… that just screams sketch bag in every way. the guy is an overweight sasquatch. if anything brian or alia are going to win. i’m surprised none of them punched adam in his big fat face when he told them that. lucky for him they’re changed people
You are a moron.. So those guys on “pawn stars” and “hardcore pawn” are sketchy? Brain is a baby who has the life experience of a 10 year old and alia is clearly on crack..why would they have to punch him? what did he do wrong?? Your a Goof..
Alia may have sold crack but she has never touched the stuff herself so get your story straight before you talk crap. And if you want to bet I am up for the challenge… I would bet $1000 that Alia wins! Team Alia!!! P.S. There is nothing wrong with Mike he actually seems like a nice guy so lay off.
Oops I meant Brian Ha!
[email protected] Haha’s comments! I agree! Adam is an overweight sasquatch. I’m sure he doesnt have what it takes to win the show. He can talk all he wants about other people, but I’d be surprised to see him win.
He can’t even kick a soccer ball without busting up his body.
Wow, Haha’s comments, is just another example of ignorance. I made some poor choices when I was younger and struggled financially. I did use pawn shops when I needed help and nobody would give me any credit or money. The pawn shop I went to treated me very well and without them, my family would’ve starved. They are the oldest form of credit and I would almost call them the people’s bank. I am proud that I used the pawn shop and didn’t break the law or beg for money to get buy.
Regarding Renee’s comments, didn’t you mention in previous posts that you knew Alia personally? Now you’re betting Mike $1000 that she wins it all? Err… thanks for giving away the ending. Personally I don’t think Alia deserves to win the money. She let Sam and the others walk over her when they were coming up with the pitch for the 50/50 tickets. And she wants to have a snowplow, landscaping business for ex-con women? LMFAO!!!! I actually agree with Mike, she looks like she did crack or some hard drugs. She looks like she’s in her 40’s and every time she smiles you see glimpse of that meth mouth! She probably will make it to the end or near the end because of two reasons:
1) Poor Me Card – playing the sad story routine
2) Only female left and for ratings sake CBC doesn’t want a sausage party!
I think that Adam and Jeff have the best business plans. Adam seems to be a Hustler, perfect fit for the Pawn Shop. Jeff is very humble and is definitely one of my favorites. He will do well at a tattoo shop. Best salesman should definitely, hands down go to Joe! He could sell Alia as a High class escort, Adam as trustworthy, Aaron as a Day Care employee, Les as a “after” picture of weight watchers, Brian as a rocket scientist, Ryan as straight, Jeff as a GQ model and Sam as a Linguistic genius!
Anyways big fan of the show, I think Adam is next to go. He seems to be capable and a big threat and the cons will stick together to stick it to the screw! I am a little pissed that Renee ruined the ending, at least for me.
and did i mention that i am adam? and this is a fake alias? and that almost every post on this wall is me, pretending to be someone else? i’m such a fat phony. god i hate myself
Hahaha, My first time posting anything ever and it was so good I already have an impersonator. The Second message by Moses Murray was not me. C’mon Toronto Life get your S#!T together, don’t let someone else use the same login name with a different email address. Oh well, will first, I am very insulted that I was mistaken for the wannabe cop. Have you guys watched an episode of redemption inc? Although Adam does sound like a professor in English literature compared to other contestants, I don ‘think that Adam is that funny, articulate or capable of writing a post like yours truly. At least after ripping on my post pretend to be Kevin O’Leary! After reading the above post, I have a sneaky suspicion that whoever is trying to imitate me is Aaron, Alia, Sam, Nicole or someone who has an innate ability to speak like a 4 year old.
Alia Rulz! ALIA RULZ! I RULE! er… I mean Alia RULZ. See Toronto Life, it sucks when anyone can post under same bloggers names. Oh by the way, does anyone know where Jeff’s tatt shop is? As well Where is the Hairy Sasquatch’s Pawn Shop as well?
The Real Moses Murray
Just because I know Alia and would bet money on her doesn’t mean I know that she won. Yes, I hope she wins because she’s an awesome person and has completely turned her life around. She never does things half ass, always 110% and that is why I know she is going to win. Team Alia!!!! Your just mad cuz you didn’t win Adam ahahaha.
THIS IS GRRRREEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATT!!!
FIRST OFF.. NOBODY EVEN KNOWS WHO WON YET. SO I SURE HOPE ALIA WINS CUZ THIS IS ACTUALLY ME BLOGGING. NOT BEING A FAKE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE IS ON HERE. WE WERE ALL ASKED TO NOT REACT TO MEDIA, WHICH HAS NOW CAUSED THE CONTESTANTS HAVING TO MAKE FAKE NAMES TO COME ONE HERE AND STAND UP FOR THEIR EGOS AND PRIDE.WHEN REALLY WE ALL KNOW THIS IS PROB A FEW PISSED EX CONTESTANTS.. SO INSTEAD OF HIDIN BEHIND SOME FAKE PERSONA ILL TELL YA HOW IT IS…
REDEMPTION INC.. BRILLIANT, BY FAR THE MOST CONTREVERSAL SHOW ON TV. THIS SHOW IS GONNA GET BIG, NOT ONLY IN CANADA BUT IN THE USA AS WELL. ALL OF US EX CONS WERE GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE AND I COULDNT ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE. I GAINED SO MUCH FROM THIS EXPIERENCE THAT ITS NOT EVEN ABOUT WINNING OR LOSING THE MONEY. THE FEELING WE ALL GOT LAST EPISODE AFTER WE KILLED IT WAS A FEELING ILL NEVER FORGET. AT THAT MOMENT WE WERE NOT EX CONS, ADAM WASNT A SCREW, JEFF WASNT AN AMAZING ARTIST, AT THAT MOMENT WE WERE WINNERS, WE WERE A TEAM AND WE WERE A SUCCESS. THAT ALONE IS WORTH MORE THEN 100K. FYI SAM NEVER WALKED ALL OVER ME LAST CHALLENGE, I ASKED FOR HIS ADVICE AS HE HAS EXPIERENCE IN THAT SORTA THING RUNNING 180 CHANGE STREET. AND WHEN TEH NUMBERS CME IN I THINK I WAS IN 1ST?? AND JOE WAS IN WHAT?? LAST?? CUZ HIS GIBBLE OLD MAN KNEE COULDNT SHOW UP? WHERES THE HEART? ILL GIVE ADAM PROPS, HE MUCKED HIS RIBS AND STILL SHOWED UP.
FOR ALL THIS HATING YOU GUYS ARE MY MOTIVATION.. I KNOW IVE NEVER SMOKED CRACK, I KNOW IVE NEER DONE METH AND I AINT EVER SOLD MY ASS. SO I COULD REALLY CARE A LESS WHAT THE FUCK U WANNA SAY.I LOVE ALL THIS CONTREVERSY, IT ONLY WILL MAKE IT MUCH BETTER FOR RATINGS!! I APPRECIATE WHOEVER IT IS STANDING UP FOR ME, YOU OBVIOUSLY MUST ACTUALLY KNOW ME AND THANKS ALOT FOR THE SUPPORT.
SO WITH THAT SAID.. HATERS KEEP HATING CUZ YOULL KEEP UP MY MOTIVATION
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE FOR THE REST OF THE SHOW
GO AHEAD N REPLY BUT THIS IS MY ONE N ONLY POST. KINDA HOPING ADAM AND WHOEVER ELSE IS POSTING ON HERE LIKE THEY THE MAN AND ALL, FINALLY GROW A SET, MAN UP AND POST AS THEMSELVES NOT SOME FAKE NAME TO HIDE BEHIND, I AINT GOT SHIT TO HIDE.. ENJOY NEXT EPISODE, I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL THE HATERS COMMENTS HAHA
IN THE NUMBERS
NUMBER OF WICKED TATTYS JEFF DID OFF SET..10
NUMBER OF ROLLS ON ADAMS CHIN.. 6
NUMBER OF DEPENDS JOE WORE THIS EPISODE..4
NUMBER OF TICKETS SOLD.. MORE THEN THE FULLY TRAINED REGULAR VOULUNTEERS..
PRICELESS
HAHA WE STILL KILLED IT
Errr… to The REAL Alia, CRACK and POSTING don’t mix. It is obvious by all the capitals you should lay off the crack!! Your friend Renee has the same smarts as you and has already spoiled the ending. Deal with it. Contrary to popular belief I’m rooting for you Alia. You should still have at least 20K left after your trip to the dentist. Oh crap, your dealers are going to clean you out!
IN THE NUMBERS
NUMBER OF TEETH ALIA HAS IN TWO YEARS ……. 1
NUMBER OF YEARS ALIA RUNS THROUGH HER MONEY ……. 2
That’s Priceless!
Hahahaha Alia your priceless!!!
what was wrong with Ryan? does anyone know what happened to him?…he seemed like such a liar.