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MTV Seeks Winner By A Hair

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A Tribune staff and wire report

Published: January 28, 2008

Even though NBC didn't score a hit with a reality show that let viewers cast a revival of "Grease," MTV is going to try to find a new lead for "Legally Blonde: The Musical."

A casting call is scheduled today in Orlando at New Dimensions Dance Company. Auditions have also been in Chicago and Los Angeles. Auditions are planned in Nashville, Tenn., and New York next week.

MTV, which aired a production of the "Legally Blonde" musical, will turn the auditions into a reality series.

"Legally Blonde: The Search for the New Elle Woods" will be about the search for an unknown who will eventually take on the role of Elle Woods, the aspiring law student played on Broadway by Laura Bell Bundy. The film role was played by Reese Witherspoon.

Those selected at the auditions will be put through a training process. The series will be filmed from mid-February to mid-March.

PRICED RIGHT: It was bound to happen if the writers strike wasn't settled: CBS will have a prime time "The Price Is Right," with host Drew Carey.

Beginning Feb. 22, CBS will air six weeks of "The Price Is Right" specials at 8 p.m. Fridays. "Ghost Whisperer" will shift to 9 p.m., and the freshman drama "Moonlight" will go on hiatus.

That's good news for Carey. But there's bad news, too. CBS has pulled his "Power of 10" game show from the 8 p.m. Wednesday slot after a couple of low-rated episodes. The network will replace it with repeats of "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

SEND IN THE CLOWNS: More proof that the networks are scraping the bottom of the reality barrel. NBC is planning an American version of "Celebrity Circus," a European show that challenges stars to perform with professional circus troupes.

Uh, does anyone remember "Circus of the Stars"?

"This show will draw our favorite celebrities out of their comfort zone and into a stunning and magical circus environment that allows them to showcase their unseen skills," NBC director of reality programming Craig Plestis proclaimed.

"It's a fresh concept and is unlike anything else currently in the TV landscape."

NBC also is developing a pilot based on the BBC favorite "Top Gear," which launches its U.S. season Feb. 25 on BBC America.

"Top Gear" is a freewheeling, humorous series featuring three car critics who test new vehicles in the fast lane. They show off some spiffy cars and have a lot cheeky fun taking them for a spin. Celebrities also show up as guest drivers.

The problem in making the American version is finding three chaps as charming and witty as the British hosts. Also, will they be free to criticize the cars considering the amount of money the automobile industry spends on TV?

SPRINGER ENDORSEMENT: Talk show host Jerry Springer, who was in Tampa on Thursday as a guest lecturer at the University of South Florida, said that even though he supports Hillary Clinton's bid for president, he wouldn't pull an Oprah Winfrey and have the senator on his show.

"That wouldn't help her," he said during an afternoon visit to the WMOR, Channel 32, studios.

"Having one of her opponents on my show would do more for her," he joked.

Springer spoke to a packed house at the USF Sun Dome. He said he is often asked to speak on college campuses because his weekday afternoon show is popular with young viewers.

But his lectures are not like his TV show. As the former mayor of Cincinnati, a political pundit, lawyer and former newscaster, Springer urges students to get involved in making the world a better place.

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