NBC - Starting Over - Fall, 2003
TV ClubHouse: Archive: NBC - Starting Over - Fall, 2003
Bracken | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:06 am     Interesting article in today's Chicago Tribune. The production team of Bunim/Murray (think they are producers of Real World) have taken over a stately old home in "Gold Coast" of Chicago to film this reality program. They are currently seeking cast members with following qualifications: Females just out of prison Have a spouse in prison Ex-gang member The neighbors are up-in-arms since no notice was given to revamp this million dollar plus property to house multiple, non-family members. This is an upscale neighborhood just north of the CBD. I'm not sure what to think about this program. On the one hand, it might be great to give women such as these an opportunity to better themselves; or the producers will just be using these down and out women to satisfy reality tv junkies. No information was provided as to whether they would be educating or assisting in job placement of cast. What do you all think of this premise? Has NBC sunk to a new low? Would you watch it? |
Ryn | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:20 am     Here is the article - and the link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug=chi-0306030122jun03§ion=/printstory Reality show riles up Gold Coast Residents object to noise, cast By Grace Aduroja Tribune staff reporter June 3, 2003 Distracted by the noise of drills and equipment trucks in the alley next to her home, Cynthia Metivier spent the entire day Monday trying to balance her checkbook. The crews were on the 1300 block of North LaSalle Street preparing a stately, four-story home for the filming of a new NBC reality show that is slated to air this fall. But Metivier and her Gold Coast neighbors aren't interested in experiencing the world of reality television on their street. Producers of the program, called "Starting Over," tried to convince disgruntled neighbors at a meeting Monday night that the show would help down-on-their-luck women find a new lease on life. "What we are looking for with this is women who want to make changes in their lives," said Jim Johnston, one of the show's producers. "It's about helping you reach your goals and move forward," But the more than 50 people who attended the meeting at the Chicago Historical Society made it clear they don't want the show, with its loud film crew, construction work and six unknown cast members, in their affluent neighborhood. "Keep it residential," said Metivier, who has lived in the neighborhood for 35 years. " I don't want a money-making business next door to me, with all that comes with it." The neighbors began to distrust producers when construction began on the house without notifying residents or obtaining proper permits, said resident David Greenberg, who said he understands a bit about productions because he lived in Los Angeles for two years. The producers said Monday they are applying for permits for filming, which is scheduled to begin this month. The neighbors' concerns grew after Greenberg's wife found a memo on the Internet from the show's production company, Bunim/Murray Productions, asking for women who were just out of prison, had a spouse who just went to prison or were ex-gang members. The same notice was placed on Web sites targeted to people in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles and Dallas, but in Chicago the negative information was taken out, Greenberg said. "In Chicago the ad left out all of those things," he said. Initially producers in Chicago denied that the ad came from Bunim/Murray, whose spokesman said Monday night that it had been traced back to a casting assistant "who was obviously misled" and "overzealous in the casting process." Cliff Grant, a producer for the show, assured residents that the construction would be completed in about a week and that once taping began, residents wouldn't even be aware of the filming, which is scheduled to last until January. "I can honestly say to you that once the work is completed you won't even know that we're there," Grant said. "We do our work very efficiently." Copyright © 2003, Chicago Tribune |
Ryn | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:23 am     And here is a link to the show/casting info: Starting Over |
Wendo | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:34 am     Well, I live in Chicago and the Gold Coast is quite the ritzy area. I don't think I'd be invited to live there. I wonder why they chose the Gold Coast when there are so many other great neighborhoods here? Though, perhaps that's precisely what they wanted, ritzy vs. just out of prison. I'm sure the residents aren't pissed off about multiple people living in one home. What they're pissed about is the perceived class of people who will be living among them. Hmmm. Interesting. |
Bracken | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:39 am     Wow, are you quick, Ryn. Well, the information for casting is much broader than that shown in the Tribune article which is a good thing. There seems to be conflicting information regarding the duration of taping, unless the cast revolves throughout the fall. The website says that cast need to be available for 6-10 weeks, and the article says filming starts next month and will last until January. It is starting to sound more interesting now that the scope of participants includes more than convicts or gang-bangers. |
Bracken | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:50 am     Haha, Wendo, I was attempting to be nice on the multiple people dwelling in one residence issue since that seems to be the "best way" to put a kink in rehab of the building from single family or tie it up in housing court because it isn't zoned for business purposes. I didn't want to come out and say "not those people, and not here" which is exactly what the neighbors are thinking. I live three blocks north of this site which is far enough away to not be bothered much by it. I must make it a point to scout around and find which building it is, I'm pretty sure I know which old mansion they are changing since there are only a few left on that block interspersed with high rises and Victor Skrebneski's home/studio which I think is at the end of that block. |
Wendo | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 09:54 am     Bracken, of course it's a "not those people" type thing. LOL! I don't think the residents of the area near the home could be more transparent. Why not be honest, sheesh. I wish they would do something like this in my neighborhood. (In Lakeview btw.) I think it would be cool. And hey, it just might help some of these people start a new life. I choose to see the positive in things. Post what you find out about the house, I'll be interested! |
Ryn | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 10:00 am     Thanks Braken, I try to get all the info I can when I see new stuff The casting info says a "Revolving cast" so I assume the plans are to have people come and go which would make the taping period longer I suppose. Did you notice it said "Daytime" reality show? That I found very interesting. |
Bracken | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 10:11 am     Well, I was trying to make Chicagoans seem a little less "superficial" a word I heard more times than I can count on Love Or Money last night, by the way. After the fiasco in Bucktown with the Real World cast -- and that was more of a business district than this site, I was attempting to put a "good face" on our city. You blew my cover, lol. Although considering the property tax burden we all share, it is somewhat understandable especially for those residents in single family homes on the block who are easily paying upwards of $20,000 a year. I also don't believe the producers when they say they will not know they are there, they have to film these people coming and going. Will keep you advised of site when I find it. Sorry don't have digital camera or ability to do more than post here or I would post pics of building. But you know this city, anything can happen - the squeaky wheel and/or well-heeled often get their way; and, of course -- King Richard -- if he wants it filmed it will be, regardless of pressure from the neighbors. |
Bracken | Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 10:16 am     Yes, Ryn I did notice that. I pulled out the grid from last weeks TV Guide and it didn't show it on the fall lineup. Then your information showed "daytime." It will be interesting to see what time slot they choose and what the competition will be -- hope it's up against Jerry Springer - I'd love to see that show lose viewers. And it's filmed here in Chicago, too (sad to admit that fact, but we can counter balance with Oprah). |
Ryn | Monday, July 07, 2003 - 01:46 pm     Another article, filming has begun: http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-nws-start07.html "''Starting Over'' has done just that. The show that features six women looking to ''reinvent their lives'' is set to begin filming today in the Uptown area after losing its bid to film in a house on the Gold Coast. The producers of the reality television show stopped fighting Gold Coast residents who sued to prevent the filming. Gold Coast residents alleged that the show's production company violated city zoning law because the show is a commercial enterprise. They also claimed the renovation of the house the show had planned to use went beyond what building permits allowed. ''There's more than one great house in Chicago,'' said Jim Johnston, a "Starting Over" producer. ''We've moved on.'' To get a positive response from residents in Uptown, show producers sent a ''Letter of Agreement'' to residents of North Hazel Street in which they outlined an eight-point code of conduct for the program. They also promised to ''keep this documentary production as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.'' The program is scheduled to debut Sept. 8 on NBC |
Bracken | Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 11:38 pm     Wow, Ryn you catch all the news. I don't get the Sun-Times and had forgotten all about this show because of BB. Then saw that a new post was added this week. I had heard that the neighbors would probably win this one and then saw that construction on the original site had stopped, but did not yet know the outcome. Uptown is a more suitable area anyway for this program. I know it has been on the upswing as a neighborhood in the past few years but it was always a melting pot. Personally, I think the show participants would be more comfortable in this more middle class area and it has a much more worldly feel than the Gold Goast with funky shops and restaurants close by. |
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