I HATE reality television. I was only able to stomach one episode of Grease: You’re The One That I Want because I thought it really cheapened the whole audition process and what it actually entails.

On the other hand, the Bravo Channel aired a series around 2002 called The It Factor which followed a group of actors first in New York, then in Los Angeles, through the daily rigors of classes, auditions, rejections and sometimes getting the job, which I found fascinating because it was actually based somewhat in reality.

So, though I anticipate MTV’s new reality show, “Search for the New Elle Woods” with equal doses of hope and trepidation, I’m hoping it will deliver more It Factor satisfaction and not so much The One That I Want schlock.

I hope that the show actual does what it promises, which is to provide “a genuine glimpse into just how difficult it can be to headline a musical,” as actual working actresses compete to become the replacement for Laura Bell Bundy in the lead role of Elle Woods in Broadway’s Legally Blonde, The Musical.

The winner will not be determined by middle America, but by people who actually have some stake in the show: director/choreographer of the original show, Jerry Mitchell; legendary casting director Bernard Telsey; Legally Blonde The Musical’s Tony Award nominated book writer Heather Hach; and Original Broadway cast member of Legally Blonde The Musical Paul Canaan.

My trepidation comes from the fact that the series will be aired on MTV. All of the brainless banter going in and out of commercials, during the tween screamfest that was the broadcast premiere of Legally Blonde The Musical on MTV last year was nearly enough to make me program my remote to automatically skip channel 35 for the rest of time.

And though Seth Rudetsky, who, along with Haylie Duff, will be on hand to give the contestants advice, can no doubt be totally hilarious, I sometimes need to take his large personality in small doses.

This video interview with Ms. Duff and Ms. Bundy seems promising. They talk about how the contestants are all supportive of each other throughout the process, and how it really is an intimate look into a true audition process, sort of like a reality version of A Chorus Line.

Video Interview with Haylie Duff and Laura Bell Bundy

Oy, then there’s the trailer for the show at MTV.com, which makes it look like every other schlocky reality show that’s out there (”The dream of becoming Elle is slipping away…[sniff, sniff]”).

Trailer on MTV

I guess we will find out on June 2nd whether we can weather a whole season of it. (I wonder if The It Factor is out on DVD…)

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1 Comment to “Is “Search for Elle Woods” What We Want?”

1. Mondschein.us — May 15, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
   

   I’m with you on the reality TV thing (although I’ll admit watching Project Runway). When MTV first announced this, it was reported that LBB had posted the audition notice which stated “No theatrical experience required” on her dressing room door.

   Never underestimate the stupidity of the TV viewing public.

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