The Phone

The Phone is an American reality television show of six episodes, based on the Dutch version of the same name. The show aired on Fridays at 10:00 p.m. Eastern time on MTV. Format The Phone is a 2009 reality series that locates its contestants on the street. The two contestants are two people who, some months before filming, had registered to take part in a mysterious game. The chosen players answer one of two ringing phones placed in separate locations. Once a person answers the phone, they are asked by the show's host, "The Operator" (Emmett Scanlan), if they would like the chance to win up to $50,000. If the offer is accepted, the game begins by activating a scenario similar to a movie scene, such as in the premiere episode: the game began with a car exploding and The Operator explaining that a mad bomber was loose, and the contestant's task was to stop the bomber and bring him to justice). The players were then given a series of instructions to follow to complete various tasks, known as "Missions", that have some level of involvement with the situation. Additionally, the players are informed to keep in mind everything that they see and hear over the course of the adventure, for it will have some bearing in the game later on. Later, a set of two more phones ring and The Operator contacts two other pre-selected contestants. The Operator gives the players instructions to complete another task that will eventually link them up with their prospective partners. If the task is completed, then the team(s) receive(s) $5,000 for a successful mission, and nothing if the task is failed. The money is virtually deposited to a joint account that the team controls until the end of the game. With the teams now linked, The Operator then gives them their next task to complete. For the rest of the game, The Operator communicates with the teams through the phones via a call, text message, or a video message. The next task is then explained, with the teams being informed that the team that completes the task will receive $10,000 into the joint account and the other team will be immediately eliminated from the game. With one team eliminated, the sole remaining team plays the remainder of the game and takes on the next part of the mission challenge. The team is then informed that if this task is completed then $15,000 is wired to the team account.