Usually, your questions are answered by Andy Dehnart, creator of ,and Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, MSNBC.com's Television Editor. But this week we had a question so personal we decided to go straight to the source.
"Real World" Los Angeles cast member Beth Stolarczyk, who's also appeared on numerous "Real World/Road Rules" challenge shows, took time to answer one of our reader's queries personally. Take it away, Beth.
Q: What is wrong with Beth on “Real World Challenge”? —Beth, Connecticut
A: Beth Stolarczyk writes: "Well, where to begin? I arrive in Brazil fresh from my ‘Gauntlet 2’ experience where most challenge veterans recognize that I am tougher than they thought. I expect to find a possible alliance with Kina, Robin and Jodi, but their immediate claim on rooms show me I’m not part of their plan. Other off-camera stuff reinforces this, and I find myself in a room with the new girls and Tyler. (OK, it is me and the new girls).
The first women’s mission where I hold off all nine women for over 30 minutes establishes me as a physical presence the others can’t ignore, an impression reinforced when Tina assaults me with nothing to show for it but an early flight home. I make lemonade from lemons and form my own alliance from the “leftovers.” Production gets what they want: drama between two teams, even though T.J. tells us “The Duel” is an individual competition.
I demonstrate that I can get physical and win a mission, golf clubs and a nice bill from the IRS! That was a nice high; but, then, Nehemiah falls victim to a badly designed duel where the winner is the first one to count to 165. Losing him hurts. Can it get worse? Sure. Svetlana walks into a conversation not about her and derails my prodding at the “drama mafia’s” weakest links, their guys. In an episode interview Evan says I tell half-truths, but it was Brad who was lying to us all. She is intimidated by Brad and picks me to go into the duel in an effort to change alliances. I win, but, according to unwritten rules and doggy refereeing, I’m disqualified. I laugh to myself and enjoy the ride to Rio.
There is nothing wrong with Beth on “The Duel,” because she gave MTV great ratings during sweeps. Hey, people, it’s just TV, not real life." —Beth Stolarczyk
Q: Is Beauty and the Geek coming back this season like suggested, with gorgeous guys and geeky girls? —M.
A: It's coming back, but the switching up of gender roles, something Ashton Kutcher had said he wanted the show to try, is not happening. The show premieres on the CW on Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. ET with a two-hour episode, but as with the other two seasons, it will feature brainy but dorky men and beautiful but dumb women. (The CW's official press release tactfully calls the men "brilliant but socially challenged" and the women "gorgeous but academically impaired.")
The CW did not respond to a request for comment on why the show rejected the smart women-gorgeous men format. —G.F.C.
Q: I once heard a rumor that in order to audition for “American Idol” the contestants had to pay $250. Also during some interviews, contestants talk about selling important jewelry or support groups paying for them to be there. Is there any truth that there is a $250 fee? And if so where does that money go? —Andrea, South Dakota
A: No. Thousands and thousands of people show up to audition. There’s no fee. We even sent a writer this fall to audition in Seattle and so we can assure you, no fee. How could that many people, especially from such diverse backgrounds, possibly afford it?
Regina Brooks, an auditioner from season four, did say she pawned her wedding ring in order to audition. She didn't need the money to pay an audition fee, but so that she could afford to fly to Washington, D.C. one of the large cities that held auditions, since she wasn't near such a place. (She moved on to the Hollywood round, so maybe for her, it was a good deal.)
Although if you want to spread a real rumor, tell everyone that there is a fee, and that the money goes to buy Simon Cowell more black T-shirts. —G.F.C.
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is MSNBC.com's Television Editor. is a writer and teacher who publishes , a daily summary of reality TV news.