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[02/02/04 - 12:00 AM]
FOX Schedules Two More Reality Series
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- A plastic surgery-themed beauty contest and a dating show in which gay men try to fool a straight woman will be the subjects of two new reality series set to debut on FOX in March.

Here's a breakdown of both series (via press release):

"PLAYING IT STRAIGHT" COMES OUT OF THE CLOSET FRIDAY, MARCH 12, ON FOX

Do You Have the Gaydar Necessary to Tell If Someone Isn't Straight? Daphne Brogdon ("The X Show") Hosts

One beautiful single woman. 14 sexy bachelors. A million-dollar prize. Think you know where this is going? Think again � things aren't exactly as they appear when FOX puts this young lady and the viewing audience to the test to determine which guys are straight and which guys might be just PLAYING IT STRAIGHT, premiering Friday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

This one-hour unscripted series may have a twist, but the rules are simple: if a straight guy is the last man standing, the couple splits the money. However, if a gay guy fools his way to the finish line, he leaves $1 million richer. With serious cash up for grabs, first impressions have never been more important.

Hosted by Daphne Brogdon ("The X Show"), the series follows single gal Jackie, a college student from Appleton, Wis., as she embarks on a dating adventure at the Sizzling Saddles Ranch in Elko, Nev. Jackie has traded in her book bag and No. 2 pencils for a cowboy hat and lasso with the hope of roping in the man of her dreams. But this cowgirl must determine which side of the saddle these guys ride on.

Jackie's suitors are 14 men � some looking for love, some on a quest for money, and all trying to guess who is PLAYING IT STRAIGHT. These stallions vie for Jackie's affections by participating in group activities and one-on-one dates that will simultaneously tempt her heart and test her "gaydar."

Some will come out with nothing, some will come out of the closet, but only one will come out victorious. As for Jackie, she will either leave with love, money or her "gaydar" in need of serious repair.

Jeremy Mills and Ciara Byrne are executive producers of PLAYING IT STRAIGHT, which is a Lion Television production.

WOMEN GIVEN UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE THEIR DREAMS IN "THE SWAN," PREMIERING MONDAY, MARCH 29, ON FOX

The Unscripted Television Series From FremantleMedia North America and Galan Entertainment In association with A. Smith & Company Productions Promises Life Transformations -- Inside and Out

FOX will debut THE SWAN, an unscripted series that turns a fairy tale into reality and mirrors the classic tale of the ugly duckling who transforms into a beautiful swan. The series, produced by FremantleMedia North America and Galan Entertainment in association with A. Smith & Company, will premiere Monday, March 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

THE SWAN takes women who are stuck in a rut and revitalizes them by restoring their beauty and confidence. It offers women the incredible opportunity to undergo physical, mental and emotional transformations and follows them through the process. This groundbreaking idea culminates in a pageant in which one woman will be crowned "the Ultimate Swan."

Each of the 18 contestants will be assigned a team of specialists -- a coach, therapist, trainer, cosmetic surgeon, dentist and stylist -- who will work together to design the perfect individually-tailored program. The final reveal will be especially dramatic because the contestants will not be permitted to see themselves in a mirror during the three-month transformation process.

This chance of a lifetime comes with a price: hard work. The show does not end once the cosmetic surgery and physical transformations are complete. Rather, contestants must go through an intensive "boot camp" of exercise, diet, therapy and inspiration to achieve their goals.

Each woman's work ethic, growth and achievement will be monitored. Two women will be featured in each episode and at that show's conclusion, one of them will be selected to move on to The 1st Annual Swan Pageant and one will go home. The challenging and emotionally charged journey from ugly duckling to superstar-looks will culminate in the selection of "The Ultimate Swan" on the glamorous two-hour season finale on Monday, May 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Contestants were chosen through a nationwide search and from thousands of videotaped submissions from women seeking a second chance in life.

Arthur Smith and Nely Galan serve as executive producers. Kent Weed is co-executive producer. The series was created by Nely Galan.





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· PLAYING IT STRAIGHT (FOX)
· SWAN, THE (FOX)





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