Food Network Casting 'Amazing Stories' Surrounding Food For A New Show

Here's your chance to be in a new Food Network series

Ever since we got cable back in our household about a year ago, my wife Christine has gone through phases of watching one particular channel at a time. At first, it was her favorite cable channel of all-time, the Sci-Fi Channel, and she got her fill of space aliens, ghost stories, and all things otherworldish! Then she switched over to the Discovery Channel for hours upon hours of Dirty Jobs, Cash Cab, How It's Made and Mythbusters. Great shows indeed!

But lately she's been in a cooking mood and you know what that means--THE FOOD NETWORK. Yes, our home has now been overtaken by Paula Deen, Rachael Ray, Emeril, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, and so many more. I like walking by and seeing what is being made if it is particularly low-carb (and many times it is or can be adapted to be low-carb!). Watching those professional cooks on The Food Network makes me wonder if maybe someday somebody I know will have a chance to appear on one of their shows.

Well, that might just happen sooner rather than later!

Right now, The Food Network is looking for what they describe as "amazing stories for a groundbreaking new series." Here's a brief set of questions detailing specifically what they are looking for.

"Do you or someone you know have an amazing food related story to tell? Do you know someone who has gone from being homeless to the owner of their own restaurant, makes pop art out of pineapples, or eats nothing but peanuts? Do you know someone who is battling food fears or phobias? Has food helped to cure an illness, changed the course of your life, or helped to inspire you in some dramatic way?"

If you can say YES to any of these questions, then this may be your big opportunity to appear on a national cable television network to share your story. They want a wide variety of stories to share, including ones that are "odd or humorous" so they can be featured on this new television series for The Food Network. If you have a strange or interesting food-related story to tell, then let them hear from you.

Casting us now underway and submitting your information is super-easy. Just send a brief description of your story, the best-looking photo you have of yourself, and all your contact information and e-mail it directly to Michael Raptist at michaelraptis@alroker.com. You can also call Michael at 646-723-9848 if you would like to be considered for the show.

I called Michael last week about this opportunity and shared with him about my 180-pound low-carb weight loss success story. He asked me all kinds of questions about my life, including how long I've been married, how many kids I have, why I want to do this, etc. At the end of the conversation, he wanted me to send him an e-mail with more information, so wish me luck! And I hope it works out for some of you, too! Let us know if you get chosen to be on the show so we can look for you.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!! The Food Network--this is HUGE!

'Biggest Loser' 6 Casting Call Looking For Couples Yet Again To Compete

Wanna be on "The Biggest Loser?" Here's your chance!

People are always asking me about how to become a contestant on NBC's weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser." Ummm, how the heck am I supposed to know? While I have applied to be on several reality TV shows before--CBS' "Big Brother" twice, "The Weakest Link" game show, and NBC-TV's hit "Deal Or No Deal"--I lost my weight in 2004 when "The Biggest Loser" debuted so I never attempted to be on the show (although I think I would have been quite competitive if given the opportunity to do it).

But I have taken a closer look at "The Biggest Loser" application and asked some of the former contestants to share how they got on the show. Take a look at what Season 2 $100,000 at-home winner Pete Thomas said he did to get on the show (the craziness that he did is detailed in #2 of my interview with him). Season 4 contestant Isabeau Miller said she thought 3 Ball Productions, the casting agency for "The Biggest Loser," is "looking for genuine people who really wanted to lose weight, and of course, had the potential to be even more attractive as slim people." So use that as your guide if you are interested in being on the show.

Remember, just BE YOURSELF and let your personality shine through (of course, you have to HAVE a personality first, ya know?!). Look at Season 4 contestant Jez Luckett, for example. He set up his own web site with cute little graphics and writings that showed the producers he deserved this golden opportunity to show America he has what it takes.

Of course, personality only gets you so far--the casting directors also want competitiveness. Jim Germanakos, also from Season 4 and the $100,000 at-home winner that year, said in my interview with him that both he and his brother Bill (who was the $250,000 grand prize winner of Season 4) have the competitive juices flowing and had a simple philosophy for the show: "First we try to beat each other and then we try to beat everyone else." It's a great template for future contestants to think about.

So do you think you have what it takes to be on Season 6 of "The Biggest Loser" set to begin taping in the early summer 2008 and airing this Fall on NBC? If so, then you must act quickly and find yourself a partner--they're looking for couples yet again!

3 Ball Productions is wanting "outgoing and charismatic TEAMS OF 2 who have personality along with the WANT, DESIRE and COMPETITIVE EDGE to vie for this all-expense-paid chance of a lifetime and compete to win $250,000!" To help facilitate the application process, they are holding open casting calls in Boston, Massachusetts, Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta, GA, Nashville, Tennessee, New York, New York, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Miami, Florida, Columbus, Ohio, Suffolk, Virginia, Mesa, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California over the next two months.

Here's the schedule coming up in February and March on Saturdays:

FEBRUARY 16TH

BOSTON, MA
FELT
533 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
10AM - 6PM

DALLAS, TX
UPTOWN BAR AND GRILL
2523 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201
10AM - 6PM

CHICAGO, IL
CHICAGO HOME FITNESS
1555 N Halsted
Chicago, IL 60622
10AM - 6PM

ATLANTA, GA
WILD BILLS
2075 Market St.
Duluth, GA 30096
10AM - 6PM

FEBRUARY 23RD

NASHVILLE, TN
THE WILD HORSE SALOON
120 2nd Ave N
Nashville, TN 37201
10AM - 6PM

NEW YORK CITY, NY
NBC EXPERIENCE STORE
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York City, NY 10112
10 AM- 6PM

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
BRICKTOWN BREWERY
1 N Oklahoma Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
10AM - 6PM

MIAMI, FL
FESTIVAL FLEA MARKET MALL
2900 West Sample Rd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33073
10AM - 5PM

MARCH 1ST

COLUMBUS, OH
BUCKEYE HALL OF FAME CAFÉ
1421 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH 43212
10AM - 6PM

SUFFOLK, VA
SUFFOLK FAMILY YMCA
2769 Godwin Blvd
Suffolk, VA 23434
10AM - 6PM

MARCH 8TH

MESA, AZ
Superstition Springs Mall
6555 E. Southern Ave
Mesa, AZ 85206
10AM - 6PM

LAS VEGAS, NV
Location TBA

LOS ANGELES, CA
Location TBA

If you attend one of these open calls, then please know that only the first 500 people in line will be GUARANTEED a chance to apply. So you need to be there early enough to have a chance to be on "The Biggest Loser" (although they discourage people from showing up more than three hours prior to the opening time of the casting call). You and the other half of your couple should bring a non-returnable photo of both of you for them to keep as they weed through the applicants in the next few months.

Of course, even if you can't attend one of these casting calls, you can always fill out the application (CLICK HERE to download a PDF copy of the application) and mail in your video to 3 Ball Productions directly AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! You both must be at least 18 years old and legal U.S. residents to apply and BOTH you and the other member of your couple team need to be in the video.

Mail your application and video together to:

The Biggest Loser Casting
c/o Central Park West Productions
P.O Box 578
Manhattan Beach, CA 90267-0578

What should be in the video? Tell them in 10 minutes why you and your teammate should be on "The Biggest Loser." Be very personal and don't be afraid to tell stories about why YOU deserve to be on the show more so than others. Tell 'em who you are, where you live, what you do, how you are related to each other, and be demonstrative about why you need to shed the pounds. PERSONALITY PERSONALITY PERSONALITY! And by all means, make it fun or the people watching it won't be having fun. Not good!

Make sure the non-returnable video is in VHS, DVD or MINI DVD format only. Get this along with the application and the non-returnable photo of your team to the casting company no later than March 12, 2008 if you want to be considered for the show. You might want sure to track the package and pay for a signature request so you KNOW they get it in their hands.

If you have any questions about the application process, then you can e-mail them regarding "The Biggest Loser" 6 at thebiggestloser6@yahoo.com. And let us know in the comments section below if you were able to apply or attend one of the open casting calls. GOOD LUCK TO YOU and regardless of what happens I hope you use this as an opportunity to begin doing something about your weight and health NOW rather than later. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Casting Call For New TV Weight Loss Show

Ricochet Television needs television weight loss show contestants

Following in the footsteps of the hit NBC weight loss reality show "The Biggest Loser" comes another brand new major network weight loss television show from the producers of "SUPERNANNY!" The name of the show has not been released yet, but this program is set to air on one of the major networks probably this Fall. WOW, what an opportunity!

If you are at least 21 years old, have 50+ pounds to lose, can take up to 10 consecutive weeks away from your normal life, and think you have what it takes to lose lots of weight on national television with the chance to also win a HUGE cash prize while shedding the pounds, then you need to submit the following ASAP to the producers of this show:

1. Complete this application and write legibly
2. Read this eligibility form
3. Take 2 digital photos of yourself (face and full body) with the date taken
4. E-mail these to newprograms@ricochettelevision.com
5. Record a 5-minute video using these guidelines
6. Label your video with your name, address, and phone number
7. Mail in a securely packaged envelope to:

New Show Casting
Ricochet Television
3800 Barham Blvd., Ste. 210
Los Angeles, CA 90068

(Keep in mind that what you submit to Ricochet becomes their property)

Once you complete this process, it's time to wait and see if you are selected for the next round of the process. Those select few will be flown out to Los Angeles for a series of interviews with the producers. The finalists will be required to fill out release paperwork and undergo medical examinations prior to being allowed to appear on the show.

I can tell you now that they are looking for people who exhibit not just a personality that will make for compelling television, but also a sincere dedication and commitment to SERIOUSLY lose weight for good. It makes them look good if the people who come on the show actually lose weight. Let the REAL YOU come shining through in the video and set yourself apart from the rest.

There is only a small window of opportunity to apply for this show as the application process will be whittled down very quickly among the fairly small pool of potential contestants. My blog is one of only a handful of places they have advertised about this show, so don't let this chance pass you by. In other words, YOU HAVE AN EXCELLENT SHOT to be on TV, so make the most of it! Try to have it all done by THIS weekend and you should be good to go!

Other than the video, the application itself (which is VERY similar to the one I highlighted at my blog from "The Biggest Loser") is where you can give the producers a real sense of who you are as a person. Answer every question as openly and honestly as possible so they can get to know you like your friends and family know you. Don't be fake or provide what you think they want to hear. Just be YOU!

As for the show itself, you WILL work your tail off as they require you to "be willing and able to participate in potentially strenuous physical activities." I mean DUH! Those "Biggest Loser" contestants workout for hours on end every single day on that show, so this one will be no different.

If you have any questions about the application process, then please don't hesitate to e-mail the Casting Associate Jen Harding for assistance. GOOD LUCK everyone and let me know if you applied and get cast for the show. How neat would that be? Remember us "little" people when you become famous. :D