Murtz Jaffer
Encyclopedia
Murtz Jaffer is a Canadian celebrity journalist. He hosted the television show Reality Obsessed which aired on TVTropolis and the Global Reality Channel in Canada. He is the television editor of InsidePulse.com. Jaffer currently resides in Toronto
, Canada
.
's website repeatedly and eventually was given the opportunity to write for the newly-launched wrestling section of TSN.ca. After reporting for the site from 1997–1998, Jaffer wrote for a variety of wrestling websites before deciding to launch his own internet property in 2001.
In 2001, Jaffer launched Survivor-Central, an online resource about Survivor
the popular reality television series just as he began studying at the University of Toronto
. Featuring several writers from the show itself, Jaffer's site became one of only a handful of websites dedicated to the show that captured an audience of 52 million for its first series finale. In 2003, Jaffer and his team accurately began predicting and spoiling who would be voted off on the program before each episode aired on national television. The predictions were published on Survivor-Central in a crystal ball format. The accuracy of the predictions led to Jaffer developing a reputation as the world's foremost Survivor expert and subsequently, the world's foremost reality television expert.
In 2004, Jaffer merged Survivor-Central with InsidePulse.com, an entertainment website that currently features a staff of more than 200 writers.
Jaffer graduated from Centennial College's post-graduate journalism program in 2003 and moved on to spoiling every major television program currently on the air for both his website and on the radio. He has worked at Entertainment Tonight Canada
, the Toronto Sun
, Z103.5, Virgin Radio 99.9 and volunteered at CTV.ca. He has freelanced for the National Post
and TV Guide Canada.
In 2007, he appeared in The New York Times
for starting an anti-application Facebook
group. His interview with actress Samaire Armstrong
where he asked her why she posed for the Stuff
male magazine, led to the magazine's parent website removing her pictures (after she claimed the pictures were a mistake). The photos were later posted back onto the site.
In 2008, Jaffer was recognized as one of Centennial College's Alumnus of Distinction award winners, becoming one of the award's youngest recipients.
Jaffer was the host of Reality Obsessed
which aired on the TVTropolis network in Canada. The show was a behind-the-scenes look at reality television answering big-picture questions about the genre and the first season included appearances from many of Jaffer's reality star friends including Survivors Jonny Fairplay, Ozzy Lusth
, Eliza Orlins, Rupert Boneham
and Rob Mariano
. The show won a Gemini Award
for 'Best Direction In A Reality Series' for its 'Ultimate Casting Tape' first-season episode.
On Saturday April 9, 2011, Jaffer received the 'Special Achievement In Reality Reporting Award' at the Reality Rocks convention in Los Angeles.
On Sunday August 28, 2011, Jaffer appeared as an extra on the season finale of Dan for Mayor
on CTV.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Career
Jaffer began his career at the age of 17 while still in high school. He e-mailed the online editor of The Sports NetworkThe Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
's website repeatedly and eventually was given the opportunity to write for the newly-launched wrestling section of TSN.ca. After reporting for the site from 1997–1998, Jaffer wrote for a variety of wrestling websites before deciding to launch his own internet property in 2001.
In 2001, Jaffer launched Survivor-Central, an online resource about Survivor
Survivor (TV series)
Survivor is a reality television game show format produced in many countries throughout the world. In the show, contestants are isolated in the wilderness and compete for cash and other prizes. The show uses a system of progressive elimination, allowing the contestants to vote off other tribe...
the popular reality television series just as he began studying at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
. Featuring several writers from the show itself, Jaffer's site became one of only a handful of websites dedicated to the show that captured an audience of 52 million for its first series finale. In 2003, Jaffer and his team accurately began predicting and spoiling who would be voted off on the program before each episode aired on national television. The predictions were published on Survivor-Central in a crystal ball format. The accuracy of the predictions led to Jaffer developing a reputation as the world's foremost Survivor expert and subsequently, the world's foremost reality television expert.
In 2004, Jaffer merged Survivor-Central with InsidePulse.com, an entertainment website that currently features a staff of more than 200 writers.
Jaffer graduated from Centennial College's post-graduate journalism program in 2003 and moved on to spoiling every major television program currently on the air for both his website and on the radio. He has worked at Entertainment Tonight Canada
Entertainment Tonight Canada
Entertainment Tonight Canada is a daily entertainment newsmagazine show that airs primetime on Global Television in Canada. Encore presentations can also be found on the Slice and TVtropolis channels, both of which are part of the Shaw Media network...
, the Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
The Toronto Sun is an English-language daily tabloid newspaper published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is known for its daily Sunshine Girl feature and for what it sees as a populist conservative editorial stance.-History:...
, Z103.5, Virgin Radio 99.9 and volunteered at CTV.ca. He has freelanced for the National Post
National Post
The National Post is a Canadian English-language national newspaper based in Don Mills, a district of Toronto. The paper is owned by Postmedia Network Inc. and is published Mondays through Saturdays...
and TV Guide Canada.
In 2007, he appeared in The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
for starting an anti-application Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
group. His interview with actress Samaire Armstrong
Samaire Armstrong
Samaire Rhys Armstrong is an American actress, fashion designer and model. She is best known for her roles in Stay Alive, The O.C. and It's a Boy Girl Thing. Her best known role to date is portraying the role of Juliet Darling in the ABC television series Dirty Sexy Money...
where he asked her why she posed for the Stuff
Stuff (magazine)
Stuff is a men's magazine featuring reviews of consumer electronics, and other articles of interest to a predominantly male audience.- UK edition :...
male magazine, led to the magazine's parent website removing her pictures (after she claimed the pictures were a mistake). The photos were later posted back onto the site.
In 2008, Jaffer was recognized as one of Centennial College's Alumnus of Distinction award winners, becoming one of the award's youngest recipients.
Jaffer was the host of Reality Obsessed
Reality Obsessed
Reality Obsessed is a Canadian half-hour documentary television series produced by Peace Point Entertainment Group that airs on TVtropolis. In each episode, host Murtz Jaffer attempts to demystify the underpinnings of reality television by trying to recreate events that took place on Big Brother,...
which aired on the TVTropolis network in Canada. The show was a behind-the-scenes look at reality television answering big-picture questions about the genre and the first season included appearances from many of Jaffer's reality star friends including Survivors Jonny Fairplay, Ozzy Lusth
Ozzy Lusth
Oscar "Ozzy" Lusth is a reality show contestant who first appeared on Survivor: Cook Islands. He finished as the 1st runner-up in a 5–4–0 vote to Yul Kwon. Lusth later competed in Survivor: Micronesia as one of the returning favorites...
, Eliza Orlins, Rupert Boneham
Rupert Boneham
Rupert Boneham is an American mentor for troubled teens who became known to reality television audiences in 2003 as a contestant on Survivor: Pearl Islands where he placed 8th. He later appeared on the All Stars and Heroes vs. Villains seasons of Survivor, placing 4th and 6th respectively...
and Rob Mariano
Rob Mariano
Robert Carlo "Boston Rob" Mariano is an American television personality, widely known for appearing in several reality shows, including Survivor, and The Amazing Race with his wife, Amber Brkich Mariano. Mariano won Survivor: Redemption Island and the $1,000,000 prize after competing on the show...
. The show won a Gemini Award
Gemini Award
The Gemini Awards are annual television broadcasting industry awards in Canada.First awarded in 1986, the Geminis celebrate the achievements of TV members of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. Essentially, it presents awards for the best television productions in Canada. Awards are...
for 'Best Direction In A Reality Series' for its 'Ultimate Casting Tape' first-season episode.
On Saturday April 9, 2011, Jaffer received the 'Special Achievement In Reality Reporting Award' at the Reality Rocks convention in Los Angeles.
On Sunday August 28, 2011, Jaffer appeared as an extra on the season finale of Dan for Mayor
Dan for Mayor
Dan for Mayor is a Canadian television sitcom starring Fred Ewanuick that debuted on March 1, 2010 on CTV and The Comedy Network. It premiered the same night as Hiccups, a show created by Corner Gas star Brent Butt that also features fellow Corner Gas alumna Nancy Robertson. On June 7, 2010, both...
on CTV.
External links
- YouTube - Murtz On Red Carpet At Sexiest Men and Women of Reality TV 2008 Calendar Launch Party
- Murtz Jaffer, InsidePulse.com Article archive
- Murtzcellanious: Murtz Jaffer talks to Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof
- Murtz LIVE At Bell Media / CTV TV Upfront 2011: Bell Media & CTV Announce New TV Schedule
- Murtz On The Scene: 2011 MuchMusic Video Awards Review - Gaga Dominates MMVA's
- Have Facebook applications gone too far? (New York Times)
- Murtz Jaffer's Interview With Samaire Armstrong Gets Photos 'Removed' From Maxim
- Samaire Armstrong removed from Maxim Mag photo-shoot
- Samaire Armstrong (Maxim.com)
- Even Better Than the Real Thing? (U of T Magazine)
- Murtz Jaffer's Television Show Reality Obsessed
- Inside Pulse
- May 24th 2011 – ActorsE Chat with Reality Show Expert Murtz Jaffer with Host Yi Tian on Actors Entertainment