Some of the most pressing questions in life are often left unsolved or unanswered: Who created us? What’s the meaning of life? Where the hell did Willy Wonka get those Oompa-Loompas? The inherent uncertainty of existence is part of why we keep living and what makes us strive for goals and accomplishments. If there’s no answer to the meaning of life, what defines our life after we’ve passed besides accomplishments? Enter the concept of a “Bucket List,” a comprehensive tally of each person’s individual goals, things to do before they “kick the bucket.” In MTV’s latest reality show, The Buried Life, four friends from Canada have set off to knock out their collective bucket list before it knocks off them.

Initially, the four friends took up the project as a collective endeavor. They worked multiple jobs and eventually filmed a tour of Canada and the US, trying to accomplish various goals on their list and asking others what they wanted to do before they died. After gaining popularity on the internet, they were offered a contract by MTV, but declined, wanting to stay true to the origins of their mission. However, eventually the offer was accepted, and the boys were able to cross number 53 off their list: “Make a badass TV show.”

The show follows the quest to complete all 100 items on the list, and each episode contains one goal, as well as an attempt to help someone who they meet along the way with one of their own goals. The show has only aired a few episodes, but one of the concerns that comes to mind is how they will keep the show from becoming repetitive. There are 100 items on the list, but many were crossed off before the inception of the show, and others are either far too grand or not grand enough for TV.

Although there are possible setbacks, the first few episodes have been promising. The concept is one largely unexplored on television, and although it is a reality show, I feel much less dirty watching The Buried Life than other reality shows like Jersey Shore. The first few episodes have been largely hilarious, and for the most part, very entertaining. The fresh premise for the series is a joy to watch in lieu of more unoriginal programming, and the characters exude a contagious enthusiasm. At times, the generally fast pace of the show can get bogged down in emotion, but there is usually enough balance between the goals of the main characters and the goal of a stranger to keep the show moving at a reasonable pace.

At times the four friends take themselves and their quest a little too seriously, and end up coming across a little pretentious, but they manage to keep the show entertaining. The idea of a life lived to its fullest is appealing to everyone, and The Buried Life certainly profits by making this idea central to the show. The inspiration factor of the show is undeniable, and it certainly has the potential to be wildly successful. Hopefully The Buried Life won’t get buried too soon.