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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 15, 2007 Amazing Auditions Hundreds of people try out Sunday for a potential slot on the TV reality show 'The Amazing Race' By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune WHITE CITY — The chance to take a paid trip around the world and win $1 million lured hundreds Sunday to audition for a prime-time reality television show. Open casting calls for "The Amazing Race" drew couples, best friends, parent-child duos and even some willing to pass a month as constant companion to their mothers-in-law. Traveling enthusiasts, along with many who have never left the United States, were hoping to turn two minutes on camera into 15 minutes of fame. "We are competitors, slash winners," said 28-year-old Applegate resident Greg Brown as he filled out an application with best friend John Retallick. "When a reality show knocks on your doorstep, do you smile or tell 'em to go away?" asked Retallick, a 26-year-old Ashland resident. Both glassblowers by trade, the duo joined 124 other teams — some from as far away as Idaho and Sacramento — at the Big R store on Crater Lake Highway. The Pacific Northwest's only open casting call for "The Amazing Race," the five-hour event was held by local television station KTVL, which plans to send all audition tapes directly to the show's producers. Applicants should know within a few weeks if they've been picked for the next round of auditions, said Kingsley Kelley, KTVL vice president and general manager. Advertisement Running for 10 seasons on CBS, "The Amazing Race" features 11 teams racing around the world over the course of a month. The first-place team wins $1 million. Money was the only motivation 38-year-old Jerry Severson needed to take his first trip outside the country. The Medford resident and teammate Don Braaten, 42, of Central Point looked forward to "just beating everyone else on national TV." Marissa Kimmel, 27, and roommate Megan Hunter, 25, banked on three heads being better than two. Her Muppet-like puppet "Mrs. Moody," already has traveled to 37 states and wants to see the world from a better vantage than the back of a van, Kimmel said. "She's just sort of volatile," Kimmel said. Mrs. Moody was not the only gray head in the crowd; several seniors were just as confident of their chances as their junior counterparts. "The Amazing Race" would be a good warm-up for her 70th birthday skydiving celebration, said Genie Cochran, 69, of Portland. "I've seen enough of it ("The Amazing Race") to know what kind of adventures we're likely to get into," Cochran said. At his age, reality television is the only adventure left, figured 71-year-old Klamath Falls resident Jay Dearing, who teamed up with pal Jim McCuistion, 75. "I want to do something amazing before I kick the bucket," Dearing said. "I just hope we don't get lost." Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com