NBC’s newest reality show, “Average Joe,” premiering tonight at 9 p.m., provides a new twist on the old reality-show/dating-show concept. The show’s bachelorette, former NFL cheerleader Melana Scantlin, arrives at a Palm Springs mansion expecting to find dozens of hunks lined up to win her heart. Instead, 16 “Average Joes” await her, including one of UW’s own. Madison alumnus John Baumgartner was selected from thousands of applicants to represent NBC’s idea of an “average guy.” I spoke with John via e-mail and got his insider’s view of the reality show experience.
Badger Herald: How did you originally hear about the show?
John Baumgartner: A website had a posting in its entertainment career section that NBC was casting for a new reality series. In the posting they said they were looking for guys who love travel and romance to be “The Life of the Party.” That was actually the working title of the series — or at least that was what they told us. They requested a headshot and then said “no actors or models please.” Well, I was a little flip with them and I sent in a picture of me from my web-cam with a note that “real people don’t have headshots, I hope this shot from my web-cam will suffice.” I never really thought it would pan out, but they called me the very same day to set up an interview.
BH: How much did you know about the premise of the show when you signed up for it?
JB: Well, like I said, the show was referred to as “The Life of The Party”. I think they were trying to mask the true nature of the show from us. I wasn’t even told that I was definitely on the show until about a day before we left for Palm Springs, which was also a secret location. I knew that if they were to cast me I might be gone for at least a week, and up to five weeks. That was about all I knew.
BH: What made you want to be on a show that identified you to millions of people as “average”?
JB: Like I mentioned before, I didn’t know they were portraying us as “average”. I thought I was going to be “The Life of the Party”. But seriously, through getting to know the guys on the show, even though they all may look “average”, and I put that in quotation marks because I don’t think I would define 6 feet tall and 350 lbs as “average,” I have to say that every one of them has a personal attitude and a strong sense of self. I’m really glad I got to know them all.
BH: Were you at all insulted to be chosen for the show?
JB: I was never phased. Basically, as soon as I saw all of the other guys, I knew what NBC was going for, and I am a self-proclaimed geek, so, after Kathy Griffin broke the “news” to us that we were your typical American guys, a lot of the guys became really upset, and a few threatened to leave outright. I guess they needed some time to let it sink in. I think that this mostly happened to the guys who thought that they’d “mop-up” the competition.
BH: What makes you the quintessential “Average Joe”?
JB: I think the idea of being “average” is really more about truth than anything else. Most of these reality shows cast actors and models who are trying to get some “face time”. The reason why we are considered “average” is because we are real guys, but if you check out the show you’ll discover that NBC couldn’t have picked a cast of more exceptionally entertaining characters.
BH: What was the attitude of the guys’ house? Did you guys bond and become friends or was there a lot of competitiveness and drama?
JB: First of all, you have to remember that we were living four to a room no larger than a dorm room at Ogg hall. Second of all, no TV, radio, music, books, computer, phone or writing materials were allowed. Essentially, everyone had to learn to deal with each other. So, in no time, a guy who you think is cool that morning is your best friend that night, and a guy you think is annoying at breakfast gets thrown in the pool after lunch — naturally. Thirdly, too few women, considering there were none. And fourthly, too much alcohol. Honestly though, we had our differences, but I still have to say that I respect each one of those guys for being true to themselves.
BH: Tell us about Melana — the show’s “bachelorette”. How did she react to the arrival of her surprise “prince charmings”?
JB: Well, we were all in this bus and the way the cameras and lights were angled, you couldn’t really see her reactions to the other guys. Basically, the first time we got a glimpse of her was when we individually walked out of the bus and the first time I saw her reactions was with the rest of America on the NBC promos.
BH: Is she the kind of girl you would pursue in a real life situation?
JB: I probably wouldn’t go for a girl like Melana for two reasons: I would think that, being exceptionally good looking, she would have no personality — it generally holds true in my experience — and secondly, I would figure that I wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell anyway. After getting to know her, I saw another side, but you’ll have to watch the show for more details, or else NBC will sue me for $1 million, and I’m not kidding about that part. I’ll let you see the contract if you want to.
HB: Based on your experience, do you think it’s possible to fall in love on reality TV?
JB: Maybe … (nudge-nudge, wink-wink).
To see if John wins Melana’s heart, tune in to NBC Monday nights at 9 p.m.
