Bon Jovi, Springsteen, said to be closet curlers, courted for NBC series that could lead to Olympics
Feb 11, 2008 04:30 AM Chris Zelkovich Sports Media Columnist
Move over American Idol and make room for Rockstar Curling, a reality television show that may indeed have a rock-star connection.
NBC confirmed yesterday it has an exclusive option to air a 10-episode sports reality show that will give the winners a shot at competing in the U.S. championships and even going to the 2010 Olympics.
And one aspect that would make this a draw to the button for NBC is a plan to land closet curlers Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi as part of the show, assuming the rockers aren't worried what being connected to a sport with brooms might do to their images.
According to sources, the two rock stars are among a group of entertainment types who rent arena time on occasion to pick up brooms instead of guitars.
Organizers are trying to negotiate a deal to get one of them involved, possibly as a host.
The series is the brainchild of New York-based sports marketing agency mktpartners and Carr-Hughes Productions of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Mktpartners has an office in Toronto and has an advertising commitment from the likes of Tourism Canada, sources say.
"This show is all about the opportunity to expose American viewers to curling," said Colin Campbell, Canadian president of mktpartners and one of the creators of the show. "We feel there might be some great athletes out there who might develop into good curlers given the chance."
While a curling reality show wouldn't be considered that unusual in Canada, where top events draw more than 1 million viewers, it's hardly a mainstream sport south of the border.
Generally, the only time it gets mentioned on U.S. television is when comedians make fun of the sport.
The jokes usually revolve around the use of brooms and the belief curlers are the least athletic of all Olympians.
span >But curling was one of the surprise hits of the last two Olympics for NBC, enough so that NBC aired 24 matches live from Turin on one of its cable channels.
Although curling seldom gets more than 800,000 viewers on NBC, it once drew higher ratings than an NHL playoff game that aired at the same time the next day.
Needless to say, the U.S. Curling Association is thrilled with the prospect of 10 weeks of exposure on a national network.
"We feel that the Rockstar concept is innovative, creative and will help U.S. Curling develop new awareness, interest and participation in our sport across America," said association chief operating office Rick Patzke.
The show would work a lot like the Idol series, though it would most likely air on weekend afternoons.
The show would involve U.S.-wide tryouts starting this year, open to anyone 18 or older. A panel of coaches will select two teams – five men and five women – to train for six months, all expenses paid, at Lake Placid, N.Y.
They would train eight hours a day under professional coaches before going to regional playdowns for the 2010 U.S. Olympic trials in February 2009.
If they win, they're off to the Vancouver Olympics, unlikely as that may seem.
The tryouts, training and national competition will all be part of the series.
"If the winners get anywhere, it will be because they've earned it," said Campbell.
Patzke said the television teams would be given no advantage.
"They would have to enter the U.S. Olympic team trials playdowns like any other U.S. Olympic-eligible team," he said.
"There are no special concessions."
Mktpartners Canadian president Colin Campbell said in a statement that curling has a unique appeal to advertisers.
"The sport of curling is clutter-free compared to mainstream American sports sponsorship," he said, "and Rockstar Curling is an excellent opportunity for brands to capture the attention of consumers, leading up to the Olympics."
CBC: Bon Jovi, the Boss considered for curling reality show: report
Winnipeg Sun: Reality show fuses rock stars and...curling
