Channel Surfing
By Laura Nachman
[email protected]
Bucks County Courier Times
June 21, 2001

It’s your chance for fame, fortune, and infidelity as an open casting call for “Temptation Island 2,” is happening tonight (Thursday, June 21) at Katmandu nightclub in Philadelphia from 5:30 – 10 pm.  Even though for many critics, the temptation was to throw a brick through the television when it aired in the spring, “Temptation Island” garnered solid enough ratings to warrant a return in the fall.  The reality-based series tests the strength of the relationships of unmarried, yet committed couples by introducing them to eligible singles in an exotic location (Think “Fantasy Island” + “The Dating Game” + Mark L. Wahlberg!”)  Philadelphia is one of five cities nationwide holding live auditions.  Potential contestants also have until July 1 to send an audition tape to Fox.  According to “Temptation Island 2” casting director Marki Costello, the show is getting an “amazing response.”  “Every unmarried person in the country wants to be on this show,” she said.  Costello, an industry veteran, was hired for this season in response to last year’s gaffe when it was disclosed that one of the couples on the show had a child.  For Costello, the granddaughter of famed comedian Lou Costello, the casting process is serious business.  In the two week cross-country tour that has also stopped in Las Vegas and San Diego, Costello has seen over three thousand singles and one hundred fifty couples, plus over a thousand tapes. “We are not looking for people who want their fifteen minutes of fame,” we want people at pivotal points in their relationships,” she said with a straight face.  But then a few minutes later she said that they wanted people with “great bods and great jobs who are the most eligible singles in America.”  Get the bricks out again! 

If you are not tempted by Temptation Island 2, then you may want to get “Lost in the USA” on WB (That may be redundant – isn’t being on the WB like being “Lost in the USA?”)  The latest reality show from the creators of “The Real World” is holding an open casting call at Fat Tuesday’s on South Street in Philadelphia Saturday, June 23 from 10 am to 5 pm.  Bring a recent photo and valid ID.  Contestants must be 18-years-old.

While the kids visit Bert and Ernie, mom can see Ryan and Leo as Cameron Mathison and Josh Duhamel of “All My Children” appear at Sesame Place, June 23 from 1:30-3.  For Duhamel (pronounced Doo-MEL), who has played former bad boy turned hero, Leo du Pres since 1999, “it’s been the greatest year and a half of my life.”  The one-time model who became an actor only three years ago, has quickly established himself as one of daytime’s top stars, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for best supporting actor this year.  Popular Cameron Mathison is another fan favorite as another reformed bad boy, Ryan Lavery.  The native of Canada has been with the show for three and a half years.  Mathison and Duhamel will sign autographs from 2-3.

Meet WB17’s Toni Yates and Jim Sinkovitz at the Manayunk Arts Festival this weekend on Main Street in Manayunk.  Yates appears Saturday from 1-3, and Sinkovitz drops by Sunday at the same time.

Get Bruce!  Hollywood Squares’ funnyman Bruce Vilanch brings his wit to “Eyewitness News” at noon on KYW-3, Friday June 22.  Vilanch is in town to serve as the keynote speaker for the gay and lesbian organization, Pride of Philadelphia Election Committee’s annual fundraising gala.