Ship not going to sink for Chris Hardwick

Sometimes Chris Hardwick does voice-overs with no pants on. \n"Just for fun," he says, "I wonder what people are thinking when they watch, like if they're thinking, 'I wonder if he has pants on?'" \nThe former "Singled Out" host practices voice-overs at home in preparation for each episode of Sony Pictures' "Shipmates," then sends his commentaries on the experiences of each couple aboard the Carnival cruise ship over the Internet to New York, where the show is produced. The show uses only his voice-overs; he doesn't interact with the participants.\nThe show features couples who spend three days and two nights on the sea as blind dates -- with no escape. That experience is what sets "Shipmates" apart from other dating shows such as "ElimiDate," "Blind Date" and "Dismissed." \n"It's awesome," Hardwick says. "The other shows, they go on one date and are together for a few hours. Our show, they're stuck for, like, three days. You can't really fake your way through it; they're right there poking you in the face." \nIn addition to watching all of the big moments that occur throughout the couple's date, viewers also get to hear the contestants' individual thoughts, good or bad, in small clips.\nHardwick has appeared on talk shows and got his start in front of cameras on the "Mike Douglas Show." Commercials, various MTV series and radio shows followed. Film work appears on his résumé as well, including recent work with Rob Zombie. \n"It was great," Hardwick says of working with Zombie. "I've known him for years, and he came to see me two and half years ago and he said, 'I'm doing this, do you want to do it?' He was great to work with, an amazing guy -- really funny."\nMost people know Hardwick by his work on "Singled Out," another date show that aired for five seasons on MTV. He hosted in front of live crowds on the "Singled Out" set for each episode, which is different from his current work with "Shipmates," for which he doesn't even need to leave the house. \n"I like either way, although I tend to like crowds more," he says. "This is basically me and the studio. I have to write everything before. 'Singled Out' was like a freak circus -- nothing I said was scripted, and it was more of an off-the-cuff thing." \nHis work has led him to spend time with many interesting and sometimes crazy people.\n"I've learned people will do just about anything to get on camera," he says. "It's insane what they're willing to do to get on for just five or 10 minutes, but I guess you're supposed to do stupid things when you're young." \nAnyone who has seen the show knows that some pretty crazy things can happen when two strangers are stuck on a boat together for three days. The drama between the couples is what keeps people watching. Freshman Loren Rayburn, who tunes into "Shipmates" regularly, thinks it's hilarious.\n"It's addictive," she says. "I don't really want them to stay together. I just like to watch them fight." \nThere are times when it appears one contestant may wish he or she could just push the other off the boat, and even Hardwick has felt the same way watching some of the clips. \n"Yeah, that's happened before," he admits, laughing. \nOne thing is for sure: if Hardwick weren't the host, he probably wouldn't ever appear on the set of a dating show.\n"Oh God no, absolutely not, but that's me," he says. "I don't like blind dates or being followed by cameras all the time, but if you're in college, you're 21 and you want a free cruise, I'm sure it would be fun."\nOn the other hand, Eric Krauter, a freshman, would like to participate.\n"I've always wanted to go on a blind date," Krauter says. "It's a good way to meet a new person, and it's a free cruise." \nThe "Shipmates" cruise has already sailed its way into Bloomington at least once. Former IU students and twin brothers Andy and Chad Baker were contestants on the show last year. They were paired with a set of twin sisters. \n"It was a lot of fun," Andy says. "It was definitely weird being followed by cameras for 24 hours, but it was alright. My brother's twin was cool, mine kind of sucked, but that was the whole premise of the show, how mine sucked." \nGiven the chance, he says he would do it again. Absolutely.\n"They give you a really cool room, and everyone is really nice," he says. \nInterested IU students can log onto the "Shipmates" Web site for an application to appear on the show. The show airs at midnight on Mondays on UPN.\n"I would say to watch the show, like, it has some sort of a serum to cure the poison you just drank," Hardwick. "Then you might watch it a lot. Or, if that sounds stupid, please watch my show -- or just don't." \nNow you can watch and wonder if Hardwick is wearing pants.