Owen speculates that producers were hoping to create the illusion that the show was unfolding as viewers were watching it, thereby adding to its suspense. It's public knowledge now that they are going to tape the next series in Africa later this year. And KDKA marketing director Mike Gerst argues that concealment was necessary precisely because viewers are so sophisticated about the show. The station's reporting was really about the show's local following rather than an attempt to ferret out the winner, he says. We didn't want to spoil the fun.
Some viewers are apparently comfortable with that.
I honestly don't care about the 'why' of why we haven't seen or talked to Amber yet. It may not be a quote-unquote news story, but it's real. If 300,000 people were doing something at the Point, we'd cover it. Nor is KDKA alone in making these choices. Hosted by Bryant Gumbel, the Early Show is in fact one of the first stops for contestants after they are voted off the show.