Military Spouse Network

/ Relationships /

Tweet

CBS is actively searching for military widows for a new dating show called ’3.’

CBS is creating a reality TV dating show and encouraging military widows to answer the casting call.

Based on an Israeli series called “3,” CBS plans to create an American version where, “three single women, of different ages with different life experiences and backgrounds, who have never met before, come together for a common goal — to hopefully find true love,” said casting producer Viva Carr.

Carr recently spoke with Military Spouse Central about 3 to emphasize that this is not a dating-competition show. “Whether or not the men and women find someone is not the goal,” Carr said. “It’s more about the journey.”

But the desire to include a military widow has raised questions and concern from some in the military community. To this Carr stressed that the drama usually associated with dating shows would not be found in CBS’s 3. “These women are courageous and brave, but they’ll need to have an open heart too.” Having an open heart is something that Carr believes can’t be forced, which is why having a military widow on the season premiere is only a hope and not a requirement.

The documentary taping-style of 3 will help it break away from normal reality TV drama and highlight the women’s life stories as they deal with something that can be difficult for anyone: opening up enough to fall in love.

Why a Military Widow?

CBS’s 3 will highlight the lives of three women as they date men selected by the show. There is no competition aspect and there are no Bachelorette-style roses. Avi Nir, head of the Israeli network behind the show, told Yahoo the goal of the original series was to step away from the artificiality of reality TV.

So why does CBS want a military widow? Carr pointed to the Israeli version of the show’s recipe for success. The Israeli version launched last summer, featuring a military widow among the three women and enjoyed solid ratings all season long.

“There was something wonderfully relatable about her story and even inspiring,” Carr said. “We want people coming to this journey who have had a real life experience.”

How to Participate

CBS and the show’s executives completed their first round of on location casting calls in late March but is still taking applications online. It’s unclear at this point if additional cities will be added.

It’s also unclear how the show will be received by the military community if a military widow is among those chosen. Grieving is different for every person, so some military widows may be ready to go on a journey like this and others may not.

Do you think this show might help break down military stereotypes or simply perpetuate them?

Share your responses in the comment section and at the Military Spouse Central page on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Miguel Ángel Arroyo Ortega

No related posts.