An easily mischaracterized subculture featured on a reality television show? What could go wrong? ABC's Wife Swap has sent out the call for gamers again, following a similar pitch last June where the show was looking for "avid gamers." Apparently that wasn't enough for the bastion of insightful character-driven programming last time, because now they've decided to cast a much wider net.
Following yesterday's report by WoW Insider that Wife Swap had contacted them seeking "families that play WoW and other MMOs together," my initial reaction was perhaps that ABC just wanted to get in on the WoW gravy train. This morning, however, I received word from another recipient of the Wife Swap pitch--a small tabletop gaming convention in Central California that I was involved with a few years ago. Specifically, they're looking for "families whose lives have been enhanced by the world of LARP." Yeah. Live Action Roleplay on reality TV. I fully expect an intelligent and poignant treatment of the subject.
Tabletop gamers and WoW gamers all in one pitch? They're after gamers of every color and stripe, folks. Take note--that guy screaming at you over Live might actually be an ABC representative, so watch your back. The show does offer $20,000 to families that appear on the show, though, so I suppose it's a question of the price tag on your dignity. Trust me, folks, this will not end well. The full pitch letter is reproduced below.
WIFE SWAP, ABC'S HIT PRIMETIME SHOW, SEEKS SUPERSTAR FAMILIES!
The premise of Wife Swap is that one parent from each household swaps places for a week to experience how another family lives. It is an incredible family experience and opportunity to both learn and teach different family values.
Wife Swap is a fascinating story of what happens when two couples see themselves and their partners in a whole new light. The New York Post says, "It should be called 'Life Swap' because it's not just the wives who learn something here. It's the families."
Potential families can live anywhere in the United States, but we ask that families applying for the show consist of two parents and have at least one child, age 7 or older, living at home. Specifically, I'm looking for families whose lives have been enhanced by the world of LARP! If your family loves spending time together by playing fantasy role play, I want to hear from you! To submit for the show email a family photo and description to: gaby.wifeswap@gmail.com.
Families featured on the show will receive a $20,000 honorarium. If you refer a family that is selected you receive $1,000.
If you are a family unit (two parents and children between the ages of 7 and 17) who love an adventure, and live in the continental US, I would love to hear from you today! Please forward this casting to any families you feel would be appropriate!
More information is available at: http://abc.go.com/primetime
/wifeswap.
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Gaby Wilson
Casting Producer
Wife Swap
gaby.wifeswap@gmail.com
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