AFOL's - be on TV!

WifeSwapABC · Post by **WifeSwapABC** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:14 am

Hello, my name is Jodi and I am a casting producer for ABC’s hit show Wife Swap. I am seeking families who are Lego hobbyists for our third season. On many occasions, we feature families with unique passions/hobbies and this is one we’ve never done. Plus, AFOL’s are obviously parents who encourage creativity and that is something that other families can learn. Would anyone be interested in applying?

The premise of Wife Swap is to take two different families and have the mom's switch place to experience how another family lives for one week. Half of the week, mom lives the life of the family she is staying with. The other half, she introduces a "rule change" where she implements rules and activities that her family has. It's a positive experience for people to not only learn, but teach other ways of life.

Families on the show receive $20,000 and anyone that refers a family that is selected to be on our show is paid $1,000 per referral. Each family should consist of two parents, at least one child between the ages of 6-17, and should reside in the U.S. and have BIG, outgoing personalities.

Please let me know if you are interested or have any questions.

-Jodi

Jodi Friedman
Casting Producer
ABC TV/ RDF Media
New York, NY
212.404.2447
jodi.friedman@rdfusa.com

Post by **architect** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:23 am

You should be aware that the fan community has not reacted positively this proposal. Please see these threads:

http://www.stayathomegeek.com/
http://www.bricklink.com/message.asp?ID=175554
http://news.lugnet.com/mediawatch/?n=2199

$20,000 per family is a pittance compared to the profits a show such as yours earns. Few would subject themselves to the humiliation of participating in this show. If you actually come back and read this thread, consider not trolling all of the LEGO fan forums and spamming fan email.

Ben

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:27 am

First. I deleted your second post to the LEGO Castle Sets forum. Duplicate threads are against the rules, but since you obviously joined just to advertise I doubt you read the TOS.

Second. AFOLs are NOT obviously parents because I at least half are not married with children. But I guess you didn't take the time to research that.

Third. You've already saturated the AFOL universe with this advertisement, and we've already posted about it here, though I doubt you took the time to even read a single thread in our forum.

Fourth. I would never be on your show, and I hope no AFOL ever does. I would hope that we, as a group, would have move values and respect for ourselves and our families to even contemplate participation in this sort of filth. I love and respect my wife far too much to ever subject her to such a mockery of marriage.

Last. AFOLs are protective. You would be hard pressed to find one that would allow a stranger near their personal collection or building space.

Personally I'm rather offended you posted this on my favorite website, but I guess this kind of thing crawls under the door and pollutes every place we delude ourselves into thinking safe.

--Tony

EDIT:
Sixth: I've been on TV. Been there, done that. Except that time, I was being filmed doing something I loved, something creative, and sharing my gifts with the world. I was on TV showing what AFOLs can do in a positive light, being an ambassador for our hobby. I was not bastardizing and sensationalizing everything I stand for just for monetary gain.

wunztwice · Post by **wunztwice** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 12:44 am

I would just like to add my voice in with these two admins. I agree completely with Tony's post and, even though I am not married yet, I would never disrespect my marriage in such a way. (And as a far second I would never disrespect my hobby in such a way either...)

Post by **JoshWedin** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:23 am

Oh, come on guys, think of all the Lego you could buy with 20 grand!

Just kidding, I would never do this either. Personally, I don't watch the show, but friends of mine at work do. It appears to me that the show exists to poke fun. Not really my cup of tea.

I've read several posts (elsewhere) that suggest that its good because at the end they all discuss their differences and "learn" from them. Well, Jerry Springer always had a little moral at the end of his show, but that didn't make the show a philosophical debate now did it?

Josh

Shurtugal · Post by **Shurtugal** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 1:57 am

No. Simple as that. No one in their right mind would subject their family to anything like. Now if you were from Survivor, or something cool and exciting like that.....

Plus, I'm Canadian, neener neener. I'm out of your reach

. Plus my mom hates that kind of show, so it's not even my decision....

[sarcasm]And good luck with your search[/sarcasm]

P.S. Hey, Tony, you were on TV involving Lego? Cool. Do you have more info, that would be cool to see.

Post by **Athos** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:09 am

Ahhhhhhhh! The media! *Runs, locks all the doors, closes all the windows, jumps into bed and pulls covers up over head*

That's my thoughts on the media... I'll add my voice of distaste at this post.

Steve, who thinks he was emailed about this too...

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:38 am

Wow, that is defanatly very exiting. But I dont beleave the 20k part.

Thomas

Post by **JoshWedin** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 2:43 am

Prince Imdol wrote:But I dont beleave the 20k part.

Why not? That isn't much for being on one of those shows. The show's profits are quite a bit more than that, so they should easily be able to afford $20,000.

Josh

Recluce · Post by **Recluce** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:01 am

As a member of the WAMALUG email list, where you posted this pittance a week or so ago, we all saw and rejected it. You may think AFOLs are something new and exciting to show to others who are not aware that we exist, but considering how mainstream America tears apart the families shown on your program I'd say that what you really want is a group of people who are open to ridicule and painful familial relationships. Basically, clowns. You want to turn what for us is a pleasant diversion and loved hobby into a farce. You DESTROY the families you film, and for this group that would mean destroying a hobby that is often times shared between spouses and their children. And furthermore, all of your reality TV BS can take a hike. There is nothing redeeming whatsoever about this type of programming, unlike the time a family spends together while sharing in their mutual hobby.

Back off lady, I work with LAWYERS, and if there's something I've learned it's how to use words eloquently yet harshly. Keep spreading this around in our community and there will be a backlash on your network.

kelderic · Post by **kelderic** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:21 am

SavaTheAggie wrote:First. I deleted your second post to the LEGO Castle Sets forum. Duplicate threads are against the rules, but since you obviously joined just to advertise I doubt you read the TOS.

Second. AFOLs are NOT obviously parents because I at least half are not married with children. But I guess you didn't take the time to research that.

Third. You've already saturated the AFOL universe with this advertisement, and we've already posted about it here, though I doubt you took the time to even read a single thread in our forum.

Fourth. I would never be on your show, and I hope no AFOL ever does. I would hope that we, as a group, would have move values and respect for ourselves and our families to even contemplate participation in this sort of filth. I love and respect my wife far too much to ever subject her to such a mockery of marriage.

Last. AFOLs are protective. You would be hard pressed to find one that would allow a stranger near their personal collection or building space.

Personally I'm rather offended you posted this on my favorite website, but I guess this kind of thing crawls under the door and pollutes every place we delude ourselves into thinking safe.

--Tony

EDIT:
Sixth: I've been on TV. Been there, done that. Except that time, I was being filmed doing something I loved, something creative, and sharing my gifts with the world. I was on TV showing what AFOLs can do in a positive light, being an ambassador for our hobby. I was not bastardizing and sensationalizing everything I stand for just for monetary gain.

I agree.

Kelderic

Post by **Athos** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:32 am

I work with LAWYERS

Careful, now...

Steve

Lamanda2 · Post by **Lamanda2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 4:40 am

Not the media...

I agree with everything said by the Admins, Mods, and other fellow CCers, as Andrew has said-
"No one in their right mind would subject their family to anything like."
That's a pretty sound sentance. I have watched this show before and it's totally degrading to the families- it rips them apart.

There is just no way any AFOL would let this happen, any true Lego fan would never ever let somebody near their collection, it's just unthinkable- especially when the collection consists of Classic sets and figures that they have had forever. (That stuff has sentimental value! (Well, at least to me it does.) )

-On the brighter side of this topic-
You were on TV Anthony? Sounds pretty interesting, I'd love some more info on that.

~Amanda

Jacob C. · Post by **Jacob C.** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:02 am

"No one in their right mind would subject their family to anything like."

Theres a price for everything.
I'd want at least $100,000 and an insurance policy to cover my entire lego collection.

I don't qualify though, since I have no wife or kids.

I've watched the show a few times, its actually not too bad.

Lamanda2 · Post by **Lamanda2** » Fri Dec 15, 2006 5:12 am

Theres a price for everything.

Not in my books, I would never put my family through something like that. (I know I'm only 15, but still if I had a family of my own I would never do it.)

I'd take my pride over money any day!

~Amanda