Wishes Wanted by NBCBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Thursday, June 30, 2005
Got wishes?
Residents of Williamstown and Great Barrington have a chance to don their "wishful thinking caps" and fulfill their heart’s desire – or make good wishes for others come true - courtesy of the NBC television network and five-time Grammy-winning singer Amy Grant.
The two communities are under consideration as possible sites for an episode of “Three Wishes,†a television show slated for a fall debut, according to program casting producer Josh Figgs. Grant has agreed to host the program, which will spotlight people and wishes associated with inspiring or emotionally impacting stories.
Williamstown Town Manager Peter Fohlin said that he is aware of the NBC interest in the town.
“I am excited about the prospect of working with NBC-TV and local civic organizations to identify a worthy recipient of ‘Three Wishes,’†Fohlin said.
Great Barrington Town Manager Burke LaClair did not return a call seeking comment about the television network's interest.
Wishes Wanted Now
Wish submissions are being actively encouraged, Figgs said.
“The show is scheduled for the fall line-up,†Figgs said during a June 30 telephone interview. “We are researching regions throughout the country, including New England. Essentially, we want to start receiving stories and wish submissions.â€
“Wishes†may include countless scenarios; for instance, individuals could reveal a wish that would change own lives, make a wish on another’s behalf, or submit a wish that would benefit a community-at-large.
The community component is a priority for the show, said Figgs.
“We are looking for compelling, unique, personal stories and wishes, and we also want wishes that would bring community-wide benefit,†he said. “The name of the show is “Three Wishes,†and we’d really like one of the wishes to be something that an entire community can benefit from.â€
Some wishful thinking ideas include “wishing†to reunite with long-lost relatives or friends, find opportunities to right a wrong or find forgiveness, save a factory from closing, improve or save a community resource, fulfill children’s wishes, soldier wishes or similar situations, or shine a light on a medical situation, according to information provided by Figgs. Possibilities also include “wishing†something positive for someone considered to be an “unsung hero,†for example, someone who contributes selflessly to a community but seeks no accolades for themselves.
In the words of program creators, “If you had one wish in the entire world and could ask for absolutely anything from the heart, what would it be?â€
“Makeovers†involving people, homes, and rooms will not be eligible for consideration.
Figgs stressed that the number of wishes from each community and the quality of the background stories will be significant factors in determining whether a community is selected for an episode.
“What it all boils down to is the number and quality of the stories and wishes we get,†he said. “The ideas need to be creative and different. At this point, we’re hands off [about choice of community]. We need wishes.â€
How to Make A Wish
As the pool of possible locations is narrowed down and before final selections are made, program officials may visit specific communities and host “open calls,†which means meeting with many residents and possibly considering additional stories, Figgs said.
Those wishing to make a wish or nominate a deserving person as a wish recipient should e-mail the wish, the story and background behind the wish, contact information, and a photograph of the person involved with the wish to JOSHF@GLASSMANMEDIA.COM.
Postal mail entries may be sent to June Road Productions, 3800 Barham Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA., 90068.
Specific information about the precise wish, background information about the person being named to the wish, a photograph and contact information must be included in all wish requests. For e-mailed submissions, the name, city, and state of the wish should be entered in the “subject†line.
In this case, some wishes just might come true.
Susan Bush may be reached at 802-823-9367 or by e-mail at suebush123@adelphia.net. |
