BMN Superfan - episode 8, season 1

Just five contestants remain, something host Shandi Finnessey insists of reminding them all as they arrive at the Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham for the first challenge.  As a symbol of what fans have to go through in order to see their favorite stars, the task is to negotiate an obstacle course shaped like a maze through grass and mud.  The walls are supposed to represent paparazzi and security guards, and the finish line is a scale replica of the Barefoot family home.  The fastest time wins the advantage. Because Lil' Bit owns a mud bog, some of the other contestants think this is unfair; Lil' Bit herself says, "I got this one in the bag."  However, once she begins, she encounters trouble and has to settle for a middle-of-the-pack finish.  Instead, Megan wins the advantage; the following is the complete standings:
1. Megan - 2:15.72
2. Jeff - 2:31.55
3. Lil' Bit - 2:43.46
4. Brittany - 3:19.77
5. Dustin - 4:40.03

The main challenge has an international theme, based on Buddy Wayne's Sing for the World post-show tour in 2009, in which the family's head of household, after winning that competition, performed in 34 countries.  In this challenge, the superfans must create a story explaining what B.W. would do or what he would be in various countries around the world.  A list of 12 countries, not counting the United States, are available for selection.  The order is determined by their finish in the maze:

• Megan - Ireland - She imagined B.W. being a fan of Barabbas McRipper.  According to her account, McRipper is a former barroom brawler who one day will emerge to lead an army to unite the "Emerald Isle" by freeing Northern Ireland from British rule.
• Jeff - Mexico - According to him, B.W. is a masked professional wrestler called "El Beto" (Robin Hood), who uses his platform to help victims of drug violence.
• Lil' Bit - France - In her story, B.W. helps a young woman named Audrey operate Babette's Feast, "the most expensive buffet in the world, with five diamonds and Michelin stars and stuff."  He becomes one of the world's finest chefs upon his return to America.
• Brittany - China - Here, she sees B.W. as a peaceful monk who leads a revolution to overthrow the Communist government and rebuild the ravaged countryside.
• Dustin - Brazil - In Dustin's story, B.W. is the biggest star in both soccer and samba music, scoring a game-winning goal by day and performing on a big outdoor stage at night.

Presentations take place at the main exhibit center of the state historic site in front of a small audience and the judges, Brandon McLamb, Matt Rogers, and the guest judge NASCAR driver - and native of Australia - Marcos Ambrose. 

Once they return to the Baymont Inn and Suites, they are clear on what they like and don't like.  Megan again rises to the top; McLamb says, "That Buddy Wayne would play tribute to another folk hero is commendable and innovative.  Maybe can they assemble something like the Justice League or the Avengers!"  Brittany also gets praise; according to Ambrose: "I don't watch the news that often, but I know about how the Communist government there exploits the average citizen.  At the same time, people are afraid to speak out due to the sensitive relations with the U.S.  Maybe a monk can be a symbol of resistance without being too political."  On the other hand, Dustin is panned for conceiving a character described as "Buddy's South American twin" (Rogers), Lil' Bit's story is simply called "silly" (Ambrose), and Jeff, "while his heart is in the right place," chose something "that B.W. simply doesn't believe in" (McLamb).  (He adds that B.W. has watched only one pro wrestling match in his life, which I discussed in Chapter 3 of my book.)

It was then time for the vote, and the panel splits on the winner.  Ambrose casts the tie-breaking vote for Megan, who sweeps the night.  She now has a 1-in-4 chance of winning the entire season, as does Brittany.  Judges are then deeply divided on which of the remaining contestants should go home.  Should it be Jeff, whose heart was in the right place but who did not match Buddy Wayne's passion?  Or Lil' Bit, who made no effort to link B.W. to a passion or a cause?  Or Dustin, whose career path again has our hero burn the candle at both ends, which forced him to reconsider all his priorities in life when he did it before?  In the end, the biggest debate of the season results in the end of Dustin's unlikely run on the show.