Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Applicants still needed for TV show

Two "uptown" girls could be in for a reality check if Prescott is chosen as the location of a new reality-based television program.

The Partnership has been successful in getting Prescott and Nevada County on the short list as a possible location for such a program this fall. The program will be on a major network.

The proposal, according to Jon Chadwell, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Office of Economic Development, was sent from the EDO and the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce through the Arkansas Department of Economic Development's (ADED) Film Commission, with Prescott being one of the 25 towns being considered for the show.

The program will have two young ladies, described as "uptown girls" from "celebrity type" families being placed in a small town atmosphere for six weeks. During this time, they will live with two different farm families and work in six different types of "hometown businesses."

The Partnership is taking application surveys from families and businesses interested in being part of the program. Survey forms are available at The Partnership, 116 E. 2nd South. Those interested may also request a form to be faxed by calling 887-6208.

The producers have included some criteria for families and businesses wanting to be considered.

The families must live on a ranch or farms where there are daily chores for the girls to complete. The producers want the girls to have something to do on the farm every day if possible.

In addition, the household must include a father, a mother and one son around 21-years-old. Younger children in addition to the older son are a plus, but not a necessity. The families must also have an extra bedroom the girls can share during their stay. All families must live in Nevada County to be considered.

Businesses interested must be able to let both girls work the same hours during the week. The work activities should be the kind that would be "outside" the girls's typical experiences. Examples provided to The Partnership by the producers include a cafi or restaurant, a beauty salon, a body shop, a dry cleaners, a feed store, a lumberyard or any other small town business. businesses will be reimbursed for the girls's salaries.

From the surveys collected six families and eight to 10 businesses will be selected for interviews. Producers from the show will interview the six families and choose two for the project.

They will also interview the owners/managers of the businesses and select six where the girls will work.

The degree in which the families and businesses interviewed and chosen fit the criteria the producers are looking for and would produce an interesting show will greatly determine whether Prescott ad Nevada County are chosen as the location.

All completed survey forms are due at the Partnership office no later than 4 p.m., January 21. Surveys submitted after this date will not be considered.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our area," Chadwell said. "We will see revenue and publicity generated by having a television show filmed in our area. The Partnership will work hard with all the families and businesses interested to try to get Prescott selected as the best town for this show."

For more information call 887-6208.