Keys to the VIP (A Professional League for Players) is a Canadian reality television comedy game show that aired on the Comedy Network and Fuse TV. The game involved two self-proclaimed players competing against each other to pick up women in a real bar. The two contestants went against each other in rounds to complete different objectives all related to seducing women. Hidden cameras recorded all the action that occurred, with four "expert" pickup artists judging to decide which of the two contestants did better picking up women during a round. The winner was the contestant that wins at least two out of the three rounds, and went on to win a party in a private VIP room with a select group of friends.
Hosts and judges The four hosts who oversaw the progress of the contestants across the town in Kai Lounge. Their personalities descend from the four corners of the male psyche.
Alen (Alen Bubich) - The cold, calculated master of pick-up analysis Peachez (Emeka Bronson) - An ex-all-star jock inspired seduction specialist Sheldon - Mysteriously coy and unorthodox philosopher Chris (Chris Greidanus) - A hopelessly romantic man of integrity
The roles are based on the real-life personalities of the hosts, but are exaggerated to help them come up with specific judging criteria.
Production team Executive producer - Sean Buckley Executive producer - Alen Bubich Co-executive producer - Justin Killion Senior producer - Jim Kiriakakis Director - Justin Harding
History Alen, Peachez, Sheldon, Chris, and director Justin Harding are the creators of the show. The concept was based on the real-life challenges that Alen, Peachez, and Sheldon would come up with and try out in clubs in Guelph, Canada. Most of the challenges from the show are challenges that the guys had attempted in real life; in fact, the three men came up with many more challenges that the network did not integrate into the show. The pilot was developed and directed by filmmaker Justin Harding a few years before the show aired. Justin Harding remained as the director for all episodes of the three-season run.
Chris was originally in an editing role, and expected to continue this role for the network show. However, the executive producer steered him towards the role of the 'nice guy' on the judging panel. Chris describes being the only "genuine guy" to audition, and he won the role.
Filming location Episodes of Keys to the VIP were primarily filmed at well-known nightclubs and bars in the Greater Toronto Area. Some of the clubs included Mink (Toronto), Zu Bar (Burlington), and Wetbar (Toronto).
Reception The show was generally positively received among the PUA community around the world. Users pointed out the fact that real-life situations were being shown and contestants were real, sometimes without enough social skills to pick up women. In-depth analyses of the episodes had been conducted, gathering insights and judging the reactions of women. People pointed out the fact that contestants used mostly their own techniques and charisma instead of canned material taught by the PUA teachers. Also, pieces of information from behind the scenes of the show indicated that the show was real, without paid actors or scenarios. Contestants, identified at the end of each episode, were easy to find on social media, which also added credibility to their performance. The comparisons between this show (KTTV) and another one – The Pickup Artist (TPUA, starring Mystery) – were being made. Both shows were aired roughly the same time. While TPUA was more focused on learning process, the KTTV presented much more real-life interactions with women and was more humorous. The number of episodes (39) and contestants (76) were in favour of KTTV, when comparing to TPUA (respectively: 16 and 17). After the show aired, the judges became a local celebrities in Toronto Area.
Episode list
Ep. Nr Contestant 1 Contestant 2 Games Played Winner 1x01 Marc "The Baron" Kyle "The Terminator" The Laugh FactorRecoveryStarving Artist Kyle "The Terminator" 1x02 "Hurricane" Patrick Brandon "The Wizard" Three ApproachesThe DigitsSexy Talent Brandon "The Wizard" 1x03 Eyal "The Egyptian Prince" Vida aka "Drego" The NarcissistReverse GolddiggerAngry Girlfriend Eyal "The Egyptian Prince" 1x04 "Cocoa Butter" Chris Yakov "The Trapper" FreestyleThe DancerThe Hyena That Guy* 1x05 Mark Sparks Kyle "The Diesel" Speed DialCall Your ShotSeduction School Kyle "The Diesel" 1x06 Dennis aka Hodge "So Hot Right Now" Josh Line OffQuestionsDivide and Conquer "So Hot Right Now" Josh 1x07 "Pretty Boy" Ford Eryk "The Great" The Laugh FactorRecoveryFreestyle"Pretty Boy" Ford 1x08 "Dainty" Danny Simon aka Screech The DancerFoot FetishThe Breakup "Dainty" Danny 1x09 Mark "The Karaoke Kid" Dennis "The Lion" The Palm ReaderWhy You SuckThe Dance Off Mark "The Karaoke Kid" 1x10 John aka Wilk "Cobra Commander" Phil Love At First SightSeduction SchoolQuiet On The Set "Cobra Commander" Phil 1x11 Donny "Danger" Leo "The Carpenter" Nip/TuckTalented Mr. RipleyFreestyle Donny "Danger" 1x12 Captain Karim Ryan aka Weezer Fake accentThe Box OutFriend Destroyer Ryan aka Weezer 1x13 Duane "The Damager" "Cocky" Kevin Speed DialShe's So SillyFreestyle "Cocky" Kevin 2x01 Josh "The Matador" Maltin "Maximum Max" Boateng Line off Recovery Divide and conquer Josh "The Matador" Maltin 2x02 Eyal "The Closer" Illya "The Ill Kid" Konstantin Seduction School Talented Mr. Ripley Call your Shot Illya "The Ill Kid" Konstantin 2x03 Justin "Rated R" Rego Rob "Fromeo" Cavaliere The Introduction Sabotage Angry Girlfriend Rob "Fromeo" 2x04 Frank "The Tank" Marques Kyle "Smiles" Gentle The Opener Freestyle The Dancer Frank "The Tank" Marques 2x05 "Hot Body" Jason Mike "The Magician" Reverse Gold Digger Freestyle Kiss Close Mike "The Magician" 2x06 "Party Boy" Jay Dustin aka "Xerxes" The Palm Reader Momma's Boy Body Shots Tie - Both Players won 2x07 Kevin "the Hammer" Alex "Da Vinci" Love at First Sight Freestyle Shaken not Stirred Alex "Da Vinci" 2x08 "Down" Pat Steven "New York" The Opener Recovery Divide and Conquer "Down" Pat 2x09 Keegan "The Playboy" Jonathan "The Stylist" Plastic Surgery Recovery Mighty Wingman Keegan "The Playboy" 2x10 Jordan "The Joker" Christian "The Keeper" Speed Dial Freestyle Recovery Jordan "The Joker" 2x11 Mitch "The Protege" Derek "Cajun" Freestyle Speed Dial Recovery Derek "Cajun" 2x1258891050}: Wonder" Nick "Dundee" The Introduction Stink Mouth Shaken Not Stirred Nick "Dundee" 2x13 Matt "Meatus" Todd "The Natural" Sabotage The Narcissist Talented Mr. Ripley / Angry Girlfriend Todd "The Natural" 3x01 Bruno "Casanova" Andrew "The Dungeon Master" Reverse Gold digger Speed Dial Freestyle Kiss Tie - Both Players won 3x02 Ajay "The Arabian Knight" Julian "The Bait" Mr. Icebreaker Freestyle Divide and Conquer Ajay "The Arabian Knight" 3x03 "CraZy" Joe Luca Malcolm "the Ex" The Laugh Factor The Photographer The Ex-Lover Malcolm "the Ex" 3x04 Steve "Sphinx" Pierre "Biscuit" The Opinion Opener The Routine Freestyle Steve "Sphinx" 3x05 "Will French" "Soft Top" Thomas Mr. Photographer Recovery Freestyle "Soft Top" Thomas 3x06 Mike "The Bailiff" Isaac "The Mama's Boy" Speed Dial The Date The Introduction That Guy* 3x07 Matt "Punch Line" Mike "The Spanish Fly" Ice Breaker Freestyle The Crutch Matt "Punch Line" 3x08 Evan "The Broski" "Little" Jon The Opener Recovery Divide and Conquer "Big" Jon 3x09 "Claymax" Alexander "The Great" The Jealous Angle Mr. Icebreaker Freestyle "Claymax" 3x10 "Poolboy" Peter Blake "The Chef" Mr. Icebreaker Freestyle Recovery Blake "The Chef" 3x11 Marko "The Slavic Thunder" Thomas "The Heff" Line Off Talented Mr. Ripley Freestyle Marko "The Slavic Thunder" 3x12 "Rodeo" Ryan "B-Boy Caution" Jones Talented Mr. Ripley Freestyle Line Off "B-Boy Caution" Jones 3x13 Eyal Anthony Sparks Justin Seduction School & The Introduction Sabotage The MacGyver Anthony "The Boy Wonder"
Season 1 Episode 4 had no declared winner. "That Guy" was randomly selected from the studio. Season 2 of Keys to the VIP Premiered November 1, 2007 on The Comedy Network. Season 3 of Keys to the VIP Premiered Thursday October 23, 2008 on The Comedy Network featuring the youngest contender on Keys to the VIP ever, 19-year-old Julian. "That Guy" appears once again in Season 3 Episode 6, as the judges refused to choose a winner. Season 3 Episode 1 had a resulting tie game - both players received the award. Season 3 finale, also known as Redemption, featured four of the best previous contenders who didn't win. This episode was structured as an elimination tournament.
Games
Name Objective Angry Ex-Girlfriend Pick-up a woman while a surprise actress pretends to be an angry ex-girlfriend. The Breakup Initiate conversation with a woman and get her number, but only after borrowing her cell phone to break up with the "girlfriend".Body ShotsInitiate body shots at the bar Call your Shot Seduce the women your competitor has selected for you to approach The Comedian Pretend to be a working comedian and get a woman's opinion on "new material" Come With Me Separate a woman from her friends The Dancer Get a woman's number while dancing The Dance Off Initiate a pick-up by challenging a woman to a dance off Divide and Conquer Isolate a woman from her group of friends before attempting a pick-up Fake Accent Obtain a girl's number while using a fake accent Foot Fetish Initiate a pick-up by confessing to have an intense foot fetish Freestyle 3 minutes to demonstrate your most impressive seduction technique The Hyena Each contestant must retrieve a woman's phone number while his opponent is sent in, determined to steal her away The Introduction Get one random woman to introduce you to another random woman The Laugh Factor Make a woman laugh Line Off Initiate a pick-up using the provided one-liner Love at First Sight Initiate a pick-up by admitting that he's fallen in love at first sightMomma's BoyConvince a woman she reminds you of your mother The Narcissist Get a woman's phone number while only talking about himself and never letting the woman speak Plastic Surgery Initiate a pick-up by fishing for a compliment about recent plastic surgery Palm Reader Pick-up a woman by performing a detailed palm reading and predicting a romantic outcome Questions Obtain a woman's phone number while only speaking in questions Quiet on the Set During the pick-up, each contestant must ask the woman to be quiet while he listens intensely to the music playing for 30 seconds because it reminds him of his grandmother Recovery Get a woman's phone number after insulting her hair and makeup Redemption Complete the challenge that caused your original loss. This game was given to contestants who had previously appeared on the show and lost. Reverse Gold Digger Convince a woman to buy you a drink Seduction School 5 minutes to demonstrate your most impressive seduction techniques Sexy Talent Each player must get a woman to reveal and demonstrate a sexy secret talent Shaken Not Stirred Turn a drinking game into a kiss Speed Dial Obtain a woman's phone number in less than a minute Starving Artist Convince a girl that you're an unemployed artist living at home with your parents Talented Mr. Ripley Convince a woman that you have the same occupation as her. Three Approaches Each player has 5 min to approach three different women Why You Suck Initiate conversation with a woman by telling her why she sucks.
See also The Pickup Artist Blind Date Pickup artist
References
External links Keys to the VIP Site