Wednesday, January 08, 2003

Reader MR sent this casting call to me:




Hey guys, FastDater is pleased to forward this information to anyone who might be interested in this. Contact information is below. PLEASE DO NOT respond to this e- mail as it will not be recognized. SEE BELOW.


ARE YOU READY TO BE ON NBC’S NEWEST REALITY TV SHOW?


TENNER PASKAL & RUDNICKE CASTING IS LOOKING FOR ATTRACTIVE
SINGLE MEN & WOMEN TO AUDITION
FOR NBC’S NEWEST TV REALITY SHOW
“AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DATES”


*The premise of the show is one lucky eligible man will travel around the world on a private jet in order to meet the love of his life. His journey will begin in New York City. There he will meet 20 fabulous single women from around the United States. He will select several American women to continue on the journey with him as he travels to other romantic international cities. In each local he will be introduced to other women who will compete for his love. Five finalists of his choosing will return to the states with him for a final decision and they will share Prize money as they continue their relationship.


IN ORDER TO AUDITION YOU MUST:
-BE SINGLE
-BE ATTRACTIVE, INTELLIGENT, FUN-LOVING & ADVENTUROUS
-BE AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL IN MARCH
-NOT BE AFRAID OF FLYING
-BE LOOKING TO MEET YOUR TRUE LOVE


MEN SHOULD BE 26-34 YRS OLD & CAUCASIAN
AND
WOMEN SHOULD BE 21-34 YRS OLD & ANY ETHNICITY
Those interested should bring a non-returnable picture.


AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, JAN. 11TH
AT TENNER PASKAL & RUDNICKE CASTING
20 W. Hubbard, Suite 2E
FROM 10AM TO 4PM.
No appointments will be scheduled. It’s first come, first served.
Please be prepared to wait.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 312-527-0665


(emphasis mine)

While there are times when race neutral casting isn't appropriate, this wouldn't appear to be one of them. That is, while one likely wouldn't hire a black man to play David Duke except in some weird postpostmodern production of "Duke of the South," because race would be an intrinsic part of the basic presentation, in a "reality" show one has to ask why it's relevant.

I'm not naive, I know the answer.