NBC seeks Boston adrenaline-junkies for new reality show

We are in the age of reality television, a time where it has become acceptable to be attracted to Flavor Flav and to drink liquefied rats for money. Anything worth watching these days, assuming such a thing exists, is hidden beneath the cesspool of tired nonsense from the sewers of the small screen. America has somehow fallen victim to being mesmerized by shows that require the intelligence of a sandwich to become a fan of (don't kid yourself, we are all guilty). What just might be able to surface above these moronic shows is NBC's new reality program, "America's Toughest Jobs." Similar to the Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" with Mike Rowe, contestants will be challenged to do people's everyday occupations; however, they will be participating in a 60-day trek across the country performing jobs that are considered very high-risk for a cash prize possibly up to $1 million.

Casting director, Dave Polanzak, says the show will have "the intensity of 'Fear Factor,' the mental fortitude needed for 'The Amazing Race,' and the brute strength of 'American Gladiator.'" Well, does repelling down skyscrapers faze you? Or how about dangling from a bridge; does it sound effortless? Does crab fishing in the Bering Sea seem doable? It might be until you find out it has the highest mortality rate. The human psyche and body will be tested unlike any other show, as "Jobs" hopes to showcase an unprecedented type of reality show that not only makes viewers aware of these high-risk jobs, but to be amazed by the every-day person that can perform them. Polanzak and fellow casting director, Jenny Bernstein, are optimistic about the show's potential. "It's really cool because these are jobs that people really do have, and you just don't think about it," said Polanzak, pondering whether or not it was too late to quit and try out. "There's the element of people watching saying 'that's a normal person, I can do that!'" Bernstein agreed saying "it's an every-man show."

On Saturday afternoon, an open casting call was held at FELT Boston in Downtown Crossing, where several other NBC reality shows have held auditions. FELT's event manager, Farah Casis, believes that our city has a lot to bring to the table. "[Boston] has a great pool of people," said Casis. "We have a good combination of people to work with from different backgrounds because it's such a big college town." The casting call brought in hundreds of people, some not even knowing what they were trying out for. The ones unaware of the show's premise became nervous when they reached the page in the application about rating certain fears 1 to 5, including sharks, blood, fire, and drowning; however, there are always the ones who claim to be fearless.

Brendan Cooney, 27, of Jamaica Plain who once pulled out his own wisdom tooth, had the opposite reaction.

"Drowning would be impossible," said Cooney, "I'm not retarded, I know how to swim."

Thousands nationwide want to be on this show, so aspiring cast members have to know how to sell themselves. Throughout the interviews, which were held in groups of ten around FELT's pool tables, the casting directors heard the same shpiel over and over from those unable to present the right facts. The real estate agents, accountants, and sales representatives all wanting to get out of the office and do something new and exciting.

One 22-year old, fresh out of college, claimed he wanted out of the work world and needed a change in his life. "Your life just started!" joked Bernstein. A definite reality show don't: trying to make others believe you are perfect for the show and inadvertently revealing your weaknesses. Watch what you say.

Tony Lozzi, a 28-year old commercial diver from Lynn, described himself as a "thrill seeker" who would stop at nothing to win the competition; however, his admitted fear of seals doesn't exactly scream "risk taker." For some, their craziest feat was managing to get backstage at a Phish concert where the staff was assumingly under the influence of a certain hallucinogen anyway, or "doing something creative like eating raw fish."

Sushi anyone? Game over...

Fortunately, through the crowd of imposter adventure-enthusiasts, there were some legitimate candidates that seemed to have a lot of potential for the show. While eagerly filling out his application on the lounge sofa, Boston native Rick Broider, 35, explained that he is serious about the risks he takes. He spent his childhood homeless in the city, and rose to Vice President of Operations of a software company and is a father to six boys. His craziest decision was to sign up for another budding reality show where he would risk his entire life savings for a chance to win the cash prize. "I'm devious and I know how to break the system," said Broider.

When asked what is the most he would do for money, he revealed he would voluntarily die to be resurrected again. "If I get casted, the world is in for some fantastic television." A fascinating woman whom we hope we can look out for in the final lineup is 46-year old Cheryl Wallace of Arlington. She had the drive and genuine excitement that few in the room seemed to possess. Wallace does not own a television, so it is hard to assume she is in it for the fame; she wants to be there for the pure challenge of it all and that is exactly what a show like this needs. "I am competitive, I love to set goals and I'm fearless at achieving them," said Wallace, "I have a lot of experience in the outdoors and I'm a big risk-taker."

This woman truly has no fear; she once spent the night on the top of Mount Washington in a snowstorm.

"There was an avalanche, we built a trench in the snow and stayed there for 24 hours. I wasn't scared, though, you don't really think about that in those moments."

Wallace made the first cut, and will find out in three weeks if her second audition will take her to California. With the show slated to film into July, "America's Toughest Jobs" will likely air in the fall. The show has great potential with its intriguing premise, and there will, no doubt, be cheap imitations floating around the airwaves. Hopefully if you are a fan of reality television, this program will keep you from saturating your brain with shows starring a myriad of washed-up celebrities that lower your IQ with each passing minute; you can shift your focus to a thrilling competition possibly starring a local or two who auditioned this weekend. The Boston auditions may have passed; but if you really are the crazy adventurous type, maybe you'll swim down the Mississippi River and hitch rides with creepy truck drivers to get to the next casting call in Austin, TX.

To quote the inspiring 47-year old woman overheard in an interview: "Errbody in this bitch can do it!"