In the very old days of media, sponsors put their names in the show’s title: “Texaco Star Theater.” “Gillette Cavalcade of Sports.”
Everything old is new again as Budweiser rolls out “Bud United Presents: The Big Time,” a reality show born of social media and set to air on ABC starting Jan. 21.
Produced in conjunction with FremantleMedia, and in partnership with multiple Emmy winner Evan Weinstein (co-executive producer of “The Amazing Race”), “The Big Time” is billed by the producers as the first “global social reality show,” presumably because auditions for the gig were held online on Facebook and Renren, the leading social network platform in China.
Aspirants were asked to “demonstrate their passions in areas such as basketball, baseball, soccer, racing, music and fashion.” Now, 21 contenders have been selected; three will compete in each of seven planned episodes, set up in “dream scenarios” including a rock concert, car racing and playing professional baseball.
Contestants were coached and mentored by celebrities including NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, USA Soccer star Alex Morgan and chef Hubert Keller.
The only question is, how much beer drinking is part of the dream scenario?
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
