So, “The Buried Life,” a show where four 20-something Canadians try to complete their list of 100 things to do before they die, premiered on MTV this week. The list includes lots of wild stunts such as kissing Rachel McAdams, standing under a plane while it lands and playing basketball with President Obama, which means it’s easy to miss the more wholesome side of this project: For every item they complete, they also must help someone else complete a task of his or her own. So far they’ve furnished the home of a man dying of lung cancer, taught a girl to break dance, bought a computer for an elementary school, and given another group of kids a shopping spree (actually that’s #71).
The most difficult item on the list is arguably to go to space"(#100) or perhaps to fall in love (#78) but a close third might be to spend a week in silence (#57).
These almost-famous idealists may need more than a week to think about what they will do with their stardom. Afterall, getting your 15-minutes or 15 years on camera can be as taxing as it is rewarding. Ask Susan Boyle. They might decide to follow the example of Neil Armstrong, who intentionally eschewed the cameras when his job was finished; however, the chances of that happening are slim.
Still, having time to reflect on their experience, how it’s shaped them, who they've met, and what they plan to do with the rest of their lives could make #57 one of the most gratifying challenges they'll face.
Shannon Firth
Senior Writer and Audience Development Coordinator
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