How can I audition for reality shows?

NEW SHOWS
"Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?": Mark Burnett and FOX will debut this new game show Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 after "American Idol." The show's Web page doesn't list specific casting information, but promises a full site "coming soon."

"Character Fantasy": USA Network is casting people who want to be transformed into a favorite celebrity or fictional character. More details are here.

"Character Road Trip": This show comes to you: USA Network's other new show sends its hosts around the country looking for "great characters that have unique qualities, hidden talents and unforgettable personalities." Application info is here.

"Couples Show": We're guessing this isn't the new ABC show's real name, but it sounds kind of like a Dr. Phil-type couples counseling show. Application info is here. (Note: A reader says the CBS e-mail address given keeps bouncing mail.)

"Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants": The CW is looking for mother-daughter pairs to compete in a beauty pageant together. Open casting calls are planned for numerous cities beginning March 3; details and an application are online.

"Easy Money": Apply for this new ABC game show here.

"Fix My Husband": ABC is planning a sort of one-week boot camp for husbands. Application info is here.

MTV shows: MTV's casting page has a mix of old and new shows. They're hunting for "Hills" fans, high-school students in Brooklyn, shy girls, pop-culture junkies and more.

"Great American Dream Vote": This should be of interest to folks who clamored to be on Amy Grant's "Three Wishes" show. Contestants on "The Great American Dream Vote" come on the show and share the dream they want fulfilled, and the audience votes on who should get their chance.

"On The Lot": Wannabe filmmakers who hope to win a $1 million deal with Dreamworks Pictures are all abuzz about this show, but the deadline was Feb. 16. You can still watch some of the submissions online, though.

"Set for Life": Another new ABC game show that awards winners monthly or yearly cash payments. Application info is here.

Unnamed Bunim-Murray show: The company behind "Real World" and "Road Rules" has a new show planned. It sounds an awful lot like their other shows. In their words "Do you want to ditch your hometown and follow your dream of being a famous actor/actress, model dancer, host, or TV star? If you've ever wanted to make it big in Hollywood, this is your chance to become a star." Check out the casting page (click on CASTING, then on LATEST) for details, but you must be in the 18-23 age range.

VH-1 shows: VH-1 is casting for numerous shows, with all the information linked up on this Web page. (The page also includes some of the CMT opportunities mentioned earlier.) One show is looking for couples planning a wedding that will cost over $300,000, the thought of which kind of makes us sick, but that's our age of excess.

Gael Fashingbauer Cooper is MSNBC.com's Television Editor. Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news.

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