Idol chatter

Did I ever tell you about the reality show we had the opportunity to be on?

Seriously, we had a call from a producer several years ago. They had already created one of the very first reality shows (which is still quite popular) and they were ready to strike gold again.

The premise was to work a show around a family where there is something substantial to inherit.

You know, like a theme park.

The contestants would be family members who would hole up in a big house somewhere and stop at nothing to win the prize.

It took, of course, a series of phone calls and emails to get all those details.

But that first call, oh my, was pretty exciting.

Following each call, we floated gently from Cloud 9 to Cloud 8 to Cloud 7 and so on.

We thudded to the ground when they told us the show would not be filmed at the park.

Rats! I'd envisioned Will and his siblings walking the coaster tracks, frying endless funnel cakes, and, of course, scrubbing toilets.

Apparently, I should keep my day job. The producers already had the brilliant show concept all figured out.

Even the name: The Will.

How perfect! Just like The Donald. "Our" show would be The Will. (Although they were thinking along the lines of "...being of sound mind and body," not my boss's name.)

So, we took a deep breath and said, "Sorry...no." When it came down to Will and his family having to be off site for weeks and weeks during the time the park would be open, reality set in.

"The Will" went on and found a rancher to play.

The show was cancelled after the first episode.

I, of course, took no pleasure in that knowledge.

But we won't hold this experience against the reality-show genre.

In fact, we're in the process of adding one last audition for our entertainment cast this year just to do that in-front-of-an-audience-with-a-real-judges-table thing.

Care to hear more?

Even if you're not planning to audition, come on out to Towne Square Mall on February 16 to cheer on those brave singers.

We'll also have job applications available for non-performing positions, such as ride operators, game attendants, lifeguards, sweepers, and grounds.

And yes, we'll even have some ticket giveaways.