‘Blonde Charity Mafia’ grows up?
Preproduction for D.C.’s next would-be reality show has been rolling along the last couple of weeks, as crews have descended on the city’s toniest enclaves to interview prospective stars.
Recently, casting crews were spotted at a party thrown by GOP consultant Juleanna Glover at her home Friday evening (and interviewing Glover throughout the night) and at the Washington Humane Society’s Fashion for Paws fundraiser on Saturday. Earlier this month, producers were spotted filming at the District Sample Sale fundraiser/shop-a-thon in Georgetown and at the new Inox restaurant in Tysons Corner.
None of the prospective stars would talk to us on the record, citing the secretive nature of the show’s development. But one source familiar with the production — tentatively titled “Inside Washington” — told us it will focus on Washington women “in their late 20s to early 50s,” unlike the much-discussed and yet-to-air “Blonde Charity Mafia” series, which focuses on women in their early 20s. “They’re looking for women who are juggling their home life with their careers, and are socially active,” she said.
Apart from Glover, crews have also spoken to Andrea Rodgers, who runs the Courage Cup polo matches and writes the “Ask Miss A” blog; Mary Amons, founder of the Labels for Love charity; Deborah Kalkstein, owner of the Contemporaria furniture store in Georgetown; Aba Kwawu, owner of the PR firm that styled the Fashion for Paws runway; Rachel Cothran, who pens the “Project Beltway” blog; Pamela Sorensen of the “Pamela’s Punch” blog; Potomac socialite Mary Barth; and publicist Barbara Martin, whose clients include the forthcoming W Hotel and Bliss Spa downtown.
We hear that casting crews are interviewing about 20 prospective Washingtonians and will whittle that down to about 12 reels to take to the network. The show will feature five to seven women.
So which network would that be? “A major cable network,” according to one source.
“All signs point to Bravo,” another said.
Bethesda-based Half Yard Productions is developing the show here. The company has produced TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” and Discovery’s “Tattoo Hunter,” “Some Assembly Required” and “Weapons Masters.”
