On a Bill Simmons podcast he asked a former cast member (can't remember which) about it and he essentially said the contestants are informed they'll be on the show with enough advance notice to get a cycle in before filming starts.

@CountBulletsula:disqus What rumor?

I would add Mark and Evan to the best list.  Evan is an ass, but he's also the most consistently funny person on the show.

I married into this show.  I had never seen it until I watched "The Island" season with my girlfriend-now-wife.  I poo-poohed the first half of the season, then quickly came around as this became appointment television in my house.

And, by extension, Kenny's onetime partner Laurel.  Born and third and acting like she hit a triple.

I grew up with "Thor."  And that is the only reason I watched an episode of The Mindy Project.

I love all of these episodes, but the exclusion of Marissa Wompler from this list is unforgivable.

I love all of these episodes, but the exclusion of Marissa Wompler from this list is unforgivable.

Stinson-ati Bro-hio made me laugh out loud. Particularly in context of the Decision.

Stinson-ati Bro-hio made me laugh out loud. Particularly in context of the Decision.

Admittedly, I didn't watch the video, but at first blush I think the answer to the question of the headline is "Yes, certainly"

Admittedly, I didn't watch the video, but at first blush I think the answer to the question of the headline is "Yes, certainly"

O'Neal really brings his A-game to the Family Circus articles.

O'Neal really brings his A-game to the Family Circus articles.

K-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I had me fall out of my chair.  Chris Pratt line delivery is always fantastic.  So much so that it leads me to wonder how different he and Andy actually are.

K-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I had me fall out of my chair.  Chris Pratt line delivery is always fantastic.  So much so that it leads me to wonder how different he and Andy actually are.

More militia flashbacks will keep me coming back to this show.  Watching those three slowly go mad with power will be pretty compelling, I'd wager.

More militia flashbacks will keep me coming back to this show.  Watching those three slowly go mad with power will be pretty compelling, I'd wager.

That was an awful lot of bacon to keep in a refrigerator of a vaction home, right?

That was an awful lot of bacon to keep in a refrigerator of a vaction home, right?