The "Off Season" - SOTF-TV Pop Culture Phenomena (Post-Season 65) By: RNN

Hey there guys. Nery here:

It's getting closer. The masses are lining in wait on the horizon for Sotf-Tv Season 66. You can feel the excitement in the air and just in time for the Holiday season too.

But wait, let us give some attention to and not forget about the really cool season before that shall we?

That's right; I'm talking about the "Off-Season".

If you don't know what the "Off-Season" is, I'm talking about that down-time without SOTF-TV on our television sets. In this case, I'm talking about that period between the conclusion of Season 65 and the beginning of the new Season 66.

What makes this even worth mentioning you ask? Well, maybe it doesn't interest the majority of you, but I've always been more fascinated by how every successive season manages to influence our culture and society in different ways than the shows themselves sometimes. The culture shifts quickly compared to how it had been in the past, how instead of yearly fads and the like, we have these changes happening seasonal.

Don't believe me? Well you should. Just look at the survivors of each season themselves or, heck nearly anyone who becomes involved in this show. These people become the newest celebrities; you see their faces on the magazines, billboards, everywhere, even model look-alikes to popular contestants who weren't so lucky to make it out alive. It's in the sponsorship, the products we use, everything.

So let's take a look at what pop culture phenomena has occurred this latest off season:

- Starting with the obvious, the team colors and bandanna gimmick has caught fire all over the nation. Many Fans are using the bandannas as part of their fashion styles, or merely collecting them. Some are even dressing only in the colors of their favorite team or contestant on the show. The colors may have even influence some companies to help sponsor the show, including Skittles® due to the whole "Taste the Rainbow" thing, and there are talks that CrayolaLCC among others companies have shown interest on sponsoring the show as well.

- The Caribbean Island Resort used during season 66 has only just re-opened last weekend after some much needed clean-up, but already people have been flocking in to spend time at the resort they've seen on TV. It's the same thing every year with the location, and it's a marketing strategy that works. Already there has been news of other Resort Executives fighting for the chance to have their businesses used on the show too.

- Fashion has definitely affected the populace from styles of the season's most popular contestants. Trench-coat sales were on the rise due to 10 kill winner, Karen Ruiz use of one, as well as basketball jerseys and enrollment skyrocketing in the sport through high schools across the nation ever since winner Mason Ross' victory. The two survivors themselves have become celebrities, though they've seemed to be a bit reluctant than others in the past. Speaking of winners, a re-interest in former winner Jared Clayton has come about thanks to his mentoring on the show.

- Firearms used by both winners have also been on demand from gun collectors and those looking for protection, with the use of Karen Ruiz' Glock 17 and Mason Ross' Beretta Handgun. A special custom made gun, called the Mase-93R's have been talked about, though mostly in jest, but with a hint of seriousness.

- Perhaps, most intriguing of all when it comes to clothing is the adoption of a retro, flower-child like style mixing the 60's-70's, with that of the (rich kids) modern age, thanks to a certain runner-up by the name of Shawn Morrison. Looks like the whole world has been keeping the popular contestant alive with a collective ShawnMorgasm of the kid's quirky fashion choice, with bandannas, over-sized and colorful sunglasses, fancy blazers, tie-dye, strange symbols on their shirts, pink board shorts, zebra socks and the like or just to be 'ironic'. The businesses seem to have monetized this and have already invested in male-models with the same vibe to help bring the female-fan-favorite back in some form.  I wouldn't be surprised if new teens/kids have started with toking (smoking weed) now too. Tsk Tsk Hippie boy.

- The Fan-service outfits proved to be a popular thing, and industries that create the costumes have been in negotiations with SOTF-TV, so what may come from that could be interesting. Halloween is just around the corner, and popular costumes such as the Playboy bunny suit worn by Sidney Rice are already in demand.

- Ever since the finale, Boa Constrictor pets sales have gone up. SOTF themselves have even marketed plush snake dolls which have proved popular, as well as boa fashion in general (yes the feathered kind). Typically people have imitated the style of draping these things around their shoulders like Shawn did. (This seems like a risky idea in most cases if you ask me)

- Verizon sales have shot up over the last couple of months as well. However, it wasn't because of the "effective marketing campaign" the company had made from their sponsorship with Yellow Team Mentor Wilson Howards AKA "The Verizon Guy". The service's popularity grew from an online internet Meme that Howards became from his hilarious Verizon shilling on the show. Time will tell, whether Wilson will take this in stride and be the Meme/Spokesperson that many other memes have done in the past. Other memes that came from the show included the very popular: "I'm From Detroit I know how to use this!" and the internet backlash that Green Team Mentor, Susan Crawford has garnered from her recently high visibility thanks to the show.

So what other new additions to our culture have you all noticed during the "Off-Season"? Reply in the comments section and tell me if I've missed anything.

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Next time, the R in RNN, Rebecca, will be Recapping Season 65 for the people who are either lazy or who've been living under a rock. Kidding.

That includes me when she's not forcing me to watch. Also, kidding.

The recap will be by listed starting from day one. Tell us about some of your most memorable scenes from Season 65 or anything else in the comments below while you're at it. Til next time - RNN.