- Title: JAPAN: "If I Can Dream" participants talk about future of reality shows
- Date: 26th January 2010
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (JANUARY 26, 2010) (REUTERS) PARTICIPANTS AND PRODUCER OF "IF I CAN DREAM" WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE POSTER FOR "IF I CAN DREAM" PRODUCER AND PARTICIPANTS LISTENING TO QUESTIONS (SOUNDBITE) (English) KARA KILLMER, PARTICIPANT IN "IF I CAN DREAM" "We all know what we signed up for, the 24/7. And there are places we can go, if we need a private moment. We're not trapped in the house, we can leave." PARTICIPANTS SITTING AT NEWS CONFERENCE JUSTIN GASTON, ANOTHER PARTICIPANT OF "IF I CAN DREAM", PLAYING GUITAR AND SINGING "IF I CAN DREAM" MORE OF GASTON SINGING GASTON FINISHING SINGING AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS CLAPPING PARTICIPANTS STANDING BESIDE POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL HERWICK, 19 ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCER, SAYING: "What I'm hoping people see with this show is that it's real. Reality TV has gone down a certain path in the last few years, and I'm not gonna knock it because, you know what, it's very entertaining." FIVE PARTICIPANTS STANDING AND HAVING PHOTOS TAKEN (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL HERWICK, 19 ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCER, SAYING: "The world of the web and television are slowly becoming one and we're in some ways at the forefront of that, because what we're doing is offering a traditional television show on Hulu. So in a lot of ways, that's going to be an extremely traditional property where people can come and watch for 22 minutes and be entertained. But we're also offering a lot of other elements, the 24 hour live stream, the social interactions. "
- Embargoed: 10th February 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Japan
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA9KYC8DUI153DSTGQZ2JGQ33HN
- Story Text: The stars of American Idol creator's Simon Fuller's latest creation were in Japan as the latest stop on their world tour as they talked about the future of entertainment.
The participants will take part in the "Truman Show"-esque "If I Can Dream" where they attempt to make it big in Hollywood, while having their lives streamed on the Internet 24/7.
Stopping in Japan as part of their world tour before actually beginning the show in February, Kara Killmer, one of the stars-to-be, played down the possible intrusion of privacy that comes with having thousands watch their every move.
"We all know what we signed up for, the 24/7. And there are places we can go, if we need a private moment. We're not trapped in the house, we can leave." she explained.
Simon Fuller's company, 19 Entertainment, partnered with online television viewing site Hulu.com, Clear Channel Radio, Newscorp's MySpace, Pepsi and the Ford Motor Co and announced the show earlier this month where it will available exclusively on Hulu.com.
While reality shows that have showcased everything from dancers to comedians have flooded the market in recent years, 19 Entertainment producer Michael Herwick says that "If I Can Dream" will focus mainly on reality instead.
"What I'm hoping people see with this show is that it's real. Reality TV has gone down a certain path in the last few years, and I'm not gonna knock it because, you know what, it's very entertaining," Herwick told Reuters.
Once a participant moves out of the house, and hits it big, auditions will be held worldwide for the next person to try their chance in Hollywood.
Aimed at viewers used to communicating through tweets, text messages and social networking, the show will allow users to directly interact with the participants and further blurring the lines between TV and the Internet.
"The world of the web and television are slowly becoming one and we're in some ways at the forefront of that, because what we're doing is offering a traditional television show on Hulu. So in a lot of ways, that's going to be an extremely traditional property where people can come and watch for 22 minutes and be entertained. But we're also offering a lot of other elements, the 24 hour live stream, the social interactions," explained 19 Entertainment's Michael Herwick.
The show is expected to start towards the end of February and will allow fans to interact in real time with participants whether they flop or do indeed fulfil their dreams. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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