- G-E-N-I-U-S — Bravo claims I was never approached about Work of Art – In the event Bravo attempts to make the claim that they never contacted Powhida about being a possible cast member, the artist has posted the emails soliciting his participation.
Paddy Johnson, Editorial DirectorMichael Anthony Farley, Senior EditorWhitney Kimball, IMG MGMT Editor
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Yeah, I mentioned this on one of Saltz’s recaps after he cited the democratic tryout process and that “The contestants on WoA WERE NOT ‘chosen by network executives'” (emphasis not mine).
My response: “FYI, certain galleries and specific artists (at least in NYC) were offered ‘V.I.P.’ interviews for WANGA. Though this doesn’t necessarily mean that contestants were ‘chosen by network executives,’ it hardly reflects the notion that the selection process wasn’t in certain ways manipulated by Bravo producers/execs.”
He then wanted proof/names, but the artists I knew didn’t want to be mentioned (nor did their dealers). I don’t think it’s at all surprising that this took place, but it is surprising that Bravo is denying that it did (and that Saltz didn’t seem aware of this special treatment, either).
The WANGA dead-horse has been turned to jelly from so much kicking! Awful, stinking dead-horse jelly. Ick.
Yeah, I mentioned this on one of Saltz’s recaps after he cited the democratic tryout process and that “The contestants on WoA WERE NOT ‘chosen by network executives'” (emphasis not mine).
My response: “FYI, certain galleries and specific artists (at least in NYC) were offered ‘V.I.P.’ interviews for WANGA. Though this doesn’t necessarily mean that contestants were ‘chosen by network executives,’ it hardly reflects the notion that the selection process wasn’t in certain ways manipulated by Bravo producers/execs.”
He then wanted proof/names, but the artists I knew didn’t want to be mentioned (nor did their dealers). I don’t think it’s at all surprising that this took place, but it is surprising that Bravo is denying that it did (and that Saltz didn’t seem aware of this special treatment, either).
The WANGA dead-horse has been turned to jelly from so much kicking! Awful, stinking dead-horse jelly. Ick.
So, is it a question of sematics, or follow up…? I don’t have the WP rant in front of me for exactly how he worded it, but I thought it said they straight out invited him to be a contestant, and that he declined. Production(Mag Elves) told me recently that that never happened, period. So there’s obviously a bunch of grey area between these two versions. It seems like Mag Elves worded their letter very carefully so as to not directly invite, but just to talk…probably due to their own legal minutia. They explained/defended to me (because I wasn’t too keen on hearing that some of us worked our butts off to “get on” while others were being hand picked)….that they don’t want “good contestants” to slip through the cracks. Whatever. And of course now I wonder who WAS planted in those cracks.
I think it should all be transparent…that’s all. But it’s no different than much of what goes on, with connections. Maybe I’m repeating myself on this, but “getting on” was one of the most interesting and fun parts of the whole thing…a long challenge in itself, made up of a variety of mini challenges, and lots of suspense. I think all contestants should get on the show in the exact same manner…it’s a GAME and don’t games need to be kept fair?
Hi Judith,
The link actually leads directly to the email Powhida posted from Bravo.
Hi Judith,
The link actually leads directly to the email Powhida posted from Bravo.
So, is it a question of sematics, or follow up…? I don’t have the WP rant in front of me for exactly how he worded it, but I thought it said they straight out invited him to be a contestant, and that he declined. Production(Mag Elves) told me recently that that never happened, period. So there’s obviously a bunch of grey area between these two versions. It seems like Mag Elves worded their letter very carefully so as to not directly invite, but just to talk…probably due to their own legal minutia. They explained/defended to me (because I wasn’t too keen on hearing that some of us worked our butts off to “get on” while others were being hand picked)….that they don’t want “good contestants” to slip through the cracks. Whatever. And of course now I wonder who WAS planted in those cracks.
I think it should all be transparent…that’s all. But it’s no different than much of what goes on, with connections. Maybe I’m repeating myself on this, but “getting on” was one of the most interesting and fun parts of the whole thing…a long challenge in itself, made up of a variety of mini challenges, and lots of suspense. I think all contestants should get on the show in the exact same manner…it’s a GAME and don’t games need to be kept fair?
Hi Judith,
The link actually leads directly to the email Powhida posted from Bravo.
Just a point of clarification, Bravo isn’t Magical Elves. Magical Elves may develop product for Bravo, but Bravo isn’t necessarily involved in any of the casting or production process.
Also, reality TV has been using recruitment as part of the casting process for years. Certainly before Magical Elves started producing programs. It worked most successfully in season six of Top Chef when two highly accomplished brothers competed against each other. One, Michael, auditioned on the recommendation of other contestants, but without recruitment, Bryan wouldn’t have auditioned. But Bryan still had to submit an application and audition tape so they could gauge what kind of contestant he’d be.
But recruitment isn’t a golden ticket onto the show. Powhida’s email is pretty obvious about that. They may have contacted him directly about possibly being involved, but since he chose not to follow up, there’s no way to know if they’d have cast him on the spot, or if he’d have been encouraged to submit an application and audition tape, or whatever the process was for WoA.
It can seem unseemly that certain people get to go to the front of the line while others have to stand in the cold and wait for hours, but since casting, especially in a first season of any reality show, is critical to its success, production companies have to look beyond just those who volunteer themselves to find the right mix. It’s almost doubly important to recruit on a show that is talent-based because while the egalitarian idea that the producers would be able to cast an entire season just from those who offer themselves up to the audition process, it’s not likely.
Just a point of clarification, Bravo isn’t Magical Elves. Magical Elves may develop product for Bravo, but Bravo isn’t necessarily involved in any of the casting or production process.
Also, reality TV has been using recruitment as part of the casting process for years. Certainly before Magical Elves started producing programs. It worked most successfully in season six of Top Chef when two highly accomplished brothers competed against each other. One, Michael, auditioned on the recommendation of other contestants, but without recruitment, Bryan wouldn’t have auditioned. But Bryan still had to submit an application and audition tape so they could gauge what kind of contestant he’d be.
But recruitment isn’t a golden ticket onto the show. Powhida’s email is pretty obvious about that. They may have contacted him directly about possibly being involved, but since he chose not to follow up, there’s no way to know if they’d have cast him on the spot, or if he’d have been encouraged to submit an application and audition tape, or whatever the process was for WoA.
It can seem unseemly that certain people get to go to the front of the line while others have to stand in the cold and wait for hours, but since casting, especially in a first season of any reality show, is critical to its success, production companies have to look beyond just those who volunteer themselves to find the right mix. It’s almost doubly important to recruit on a show that is talent-based because while the egalitarian idea that the producers would be able to cast an entire season just from those who offer themselves up to the audition process, it’s not likely.
Just a point of clarification, Bravo isn’t Magical Elves. Magical Elves may develop product for Bravo, but Bravo isn’t necessarily involved in any of the casting or production process.
Also, reality TV has been using recruitment as part of the casting process for years. Certainly before Magical Elves started producing programs. It worked most successfully in season six of Top Chef when two highly accomplished brothers competed against each other. One, Michael, auditioned on the recommendation of other contestants, but without recruitment, Bryan wouldn’t have auditioned. But Bryan still had to submit an application and audition tape so they could gauge what kind of contestant he’d be.
But recruitment isn’t a golden ticket onto the show. Powhida’s email is pretty obvious about that. They may have contacted him directly about possibly being involved, but since he chose not to follow up, there’s no way to know if they’d have cast him on the spot, or if he’d have been encouraged to submit an application and audition tape, or whatever the process was for WoA.
It can seem unseemly that certain people get to go to the front of the line while others have to stand in the cold and wait for hours, but since casting, especially in a first season of any reality show, is critical to its success, production companies have to look beyond just those who volunteer themselves to find the right mix. It’s almost doubly important to recruit on a show that is talent-based because while the egalitarian idea that the producers would be able to cast an entire season just from those who offer themselves up to the audition process, it’s not likely.
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