The Code Room: Microsoft Reality Show?

Microsoft Studios and MSDN TV have created a reality show. The Code Room is a reality show where three coders are locked in a room and given a task to code something in a limited amount of time. Try as I might, I can't tell if this is a joke, some nice PR for ASP.NET, or a serious attempt at creating a Microsoft TV series that appeals to geeks and reality show fans. In concept, the show can't possibly appeal to anyone who doesn't work in IT, but the actual pilot is kind of interesting. It's kind of fun, if you give it a chance to grow on you, and is more entertaining than the typical videos MSDN TV puts out. Some thoughts:

• The host seems to have no idea what everyone else is talking about, but is satisfied with looking perky.
• I guess if people will watch shows about home remodeling, they might watch this too.
• At the very least, if all you ever wanted was a look at ASP.NET in action, this is your chance.
• The main convention of reality television, people not getting along, is intact, so there is some entertainment value.
• I like how they create the "ticking clock" aspect of the show, by providing the three coders with enough laptop batteries to last five hours. Using a laptop all day, I know there are things they should have done to save battery life, but didn't.

The Code Room web site
The MSDN TV page for the show
(via the Windows Mobile Team blog)