Is there a Reality Show Talent Agency?
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: USA 2002: General Discussion: Is there a Reality Show Talent Agency?

Cameramanbob

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 03:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
More and more we hear rumours that cast members of reality shows seem to be drawn from some kind of Reality Series Casting Pool. At least we hear that they have networked their way onto the shows. These people don't watch tv but really want to BE on tv. Could this be true? Turned down by Survivor? Then how do you feel about Change of Heart? Should we believe we are watching ordinary people under extaordinary circumstances competing in a game? It is wierd trying to get my head around the idea WHY the studios would pick contestants who are hip to the whole stepping-stone process of media and Hollywood careerism. Would that not make for bad reality television? Would that not make the executives' jobs only much more difficult? That is unless the idea is to use the more media-savvy players as instruments of episode 'spin'? More conspiracy theory, anyone?

Ripley

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 04:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I agree, 'conspiracy', 'real people'? I think not, look at lori, tonya, real people didn't seem to make it very far. Gerry, actor, Josh, actor, Amy, pageant contestant, I could go on and on, but, maybe next time, a little bit more of 'real people'. Yes, Dani was 'real', but 'harsh', couldn't win, at least bb hg thought so. Oh well, just my quick 2 cents. :)

Woodpecke®

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 04:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
They would never pick a single man in his 40's who keeps himself in shape and actually knows what this game is all about. They are allowed to pick anyone they want according to their audience demographic. Their loss. LOL!

Cameramanbob

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 07:29 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I was just wondering if anyone out there knows or remembers participants trying out for other shows... Did I not read somewhere that Josh and Lisa both tried to get on reality dating shows (ie: Blind Date, 5TH Wheel, Change of Heart) and that Dani wanted to be on Survivor? It was said that Josh tried out for those shows even though he was 'spoken for' - an indication of how badly he wanted tv exposure. To his credit, Jason actually WATCHED Big Brother as entertainment (not as homework) on tv and the internet as well...

Surini

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 07:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I heard almost everyone on BB3 at one point in time say that they tried out for Survivor....I think the only ones I didn't hear say it are Lori and Tonya. I have also heard other people on other reality shows say they tried out for Survivor and didn't make it...and it seems they were all approached later to be on a different reality tv show. It appears Survivor is the one everyone wants but if you don't make it, you may be asked to be on another one.

Avrey258

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 07:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
There was a really good article in Newsweek a couple of months ago regarding professional reality show contestants. They had a name for them but I can't think of what it is now. I am sure if someone wanted to dig in the archives they could find the article.

To paraphrase, the article said that the audition tapes from alot of the applicants are professionally done. The article also talked to a couple of casting people from various reality shows and one said that they try to stay away from California because alot of those applicants are actor/actress wannabes.

They did say that it is hard to find non-actor types. They had to resort to going on scouting trips to track down non-actor types.

I thought it was funny because it seemed like there were alot of people on BB recruited from the California area. I suppose since the show and production people are situated in California it makes scouting there easier. I am just curious to know how many people actually sent in tapes and why BB3 needed to go outside the application process and find contestants.

BTW, I know Lisa said she was supposed to be on Survivor and she tried out for Temptation Island.

Ladybug007

Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 08:18 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ok....I have a friend that was on Change of Heart, he was scouted out by someone on the streets of NY...he was a date...not part of a couple. I have another friend who went for an interview for blind date (still waiting)he knew some1 and that is why he got the interview.


FYI...


:)

Woofy

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 09:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Are you aware that 80 percent of the contestants on gameshows (not just reality shows) are actors? People trying to get some "tape" of themselves, people trying to support themselves as waiters and bartenders, etc. etc. etc. Actors on gameshows are NOTHING new ... also, they tend to be more comfortable in front of an audience/camera.

Cameramanbob

Wednesday, October 02, 2002 - 10:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow. I kind of 'knew' all of this in the back of my head while watching BB2 & BB3 (BB1 you just KNEW they weren't even close to being Hollywood types - even "Hollywood" LOL! - now back to my point) but it just made it more fun for me to believe all the houseguests were magically kidnapped out of their everyday American jobs and homes and sent into Big Brother - come to think of it THAT would be a great reality show - "Kidnapped By Big Brother!" Personally I would never go on reality tv because I love being 'anonymous' in everyday society, and no matter how much prize money you get, you can't put that Genie of Fame (if you can even call it that from being on BB) back in his bottle. Maybe everyday people with good common sense just cannot be persuaded to go on reality shows and so they have to go for those people with a lot of reckless ambition and low prospects. That is not a sly way to dis anyone out there who would love to be on tv - just a note that unless you can play it like Jason or Eddie, your world may not remain the happy place it once was before tv. Thanks for the input, you guys. CMB

Avrey258

Thursday, October 03, 2002 - 07:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Cameramanbob,
I've often thought the same thing. Like when someone has a tragedy in their lives and the media swoop in on them, I have often wondered why the victims feel like they need to go on television. I like my privacy and really wouldn't want to share with the whole world.

I wondered while watching The Bachelor too. An attractive, smart, wealthy man who needs to go on T.V. to find a wife? What's with that? The 25 bachelorettes all "seem" relatively poised and very attractive. Is it the thrill of being on T.V. or do they really want to find Mr. Right? Baffles me.

Marymc

Saturday, October 05, 2002 - 09:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
anyone single out there? it's not always easy to meet someone, no matter how great a package you are.