Posted on 01/24/2005 8:54:28 PM PST by stainlessbanner
"Sabers and Roses," the Civil War reality show featuring a treasure hunt, has found a home close to Gettysburg.
The show will air on NBC 25 (WHAG-TV), the network's affiliate in Hagerstown, Md., said executive producer and show host Kevin Dolan. Starting April 9 - the 140th anniversary of the end of the Civil War - the station will air the show early Saturday morning for 13 weeks. An Austin, Texas, NBC affiliate will pick up the show as well.
Dolan didn't go into details, but said footage from a November casting call in Gettysburg will air in the first several shows and contestants from the local search will compete for the $1 million prize. The contestants will portray Union and Confederate soldiers as they try to complete challenges presented to them.
"We're definitely going to have people from Pennsylvania in the cast," he said. "We're going to have people from Gettysburg-Hanover area in the cast."
Dolan plans to film most of the footage in Austin, Texas, and would like to bring the crew to the Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment in July.
Without a network sponsor with deep pockets, Dolan plans to film contestants from each casting call location competing among themselves and end the season with the final contenders in Gettysburg at the re-enactment. The production team held casting calls in Tennessee, Texas, New York and Gettysburg.
A larger budget would allow him to bring all contestants together for the challenges.
The crew has filmed a Civil War makeover, musket loading, ballroom dancing and cooking challenges, Dolan said.
If stations pick up the reality show next year, Dolan plans to film for five years - the length of the Civil War. He expects a wide range of viewers will watch "Sabers and Roses."
"It's very much a mainstream reality show with the Civil War as the setting," Dolan said. "I think this thing is going to hit big."
< dixiebump >
uhh..at the risk of being spoiler..the north won..
Thanks for the heads up, I live in Frederick County and WHAG is broadcasted in my area
I hope they re-enact Beast Butler's Order #28 and let the ladies get those bluecoats
Sounds alright, but I hope nobody has to amputate their own arms or legs!
ughh... I cheer the end of the reality show fad. Hopefully, it'll die the way the variety show fad did.
do you get to shoot yankees?
A local historic site is offering "Civil War boot camp" for kids this summer ... my boys are begging to go!
Sounds like a great time. The boys would do good to experience some living history. What a great opportunity!
I expect at least one will get to go, if it doesn't conflict with the Scout camp schedule.
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