Will our housewives pass test?; Production team seeks the best and bitchiest Chicago women
November 30th 1999
BYLINE: Bill Zwecker, The Chicago Sun-TimesSECTION: FEATURES; Bill Zwecker; Pg. 29Don’t know if Chicago can match the delightful bitchiness of ’‘Real Housewives of New York’‘—or the similar ’‘reality’‘ intrigues of the other Bravo shows set in Atlanta, New Jersey or Orange County—but there’s a team of producers out there willing to give it a try!The talented folks at Towers Productions are casting for a Chicago housewives show. Do we have our own version of LuAnn ’‘The Countess’‘ de Lesseps? Or (my personal favorite) Jill Zarin? Or Bethenny Frankel? Or Kelly Killoren Bensimon? Or Ramona Singer? Or that all-too-scary Alex McCord?I know we do, and hope that some of Our Town’s extraordinary ladies decide to take the bait and audition for the show Towers Productions is putting together.According to Towers’ casting director Becky Cattie, the hope is to find women who could give this formula ’‘a new twist,’‘ showcasing a ’‘really unique group ... to represent the Midwest.’‘The production team is seeking ’‘a dynamic group of ladies leading extraordinary lives. ... modern housewives who juggle busy lives and look great doing it! No wallflowers, please.’‘To be considered, send an email to casting@towersproductions.com and include your name, age, photo, contact information and the area where you live.Also include some personal background details—Married? Kids? Occupation? Social life?—and why you think you and your friends would make great TV.By the way, this is an independent production in development and not specifically a Bravo project.According to Cattie, several cable networks are interested—’‘depending on the gals’‘ selected.JOEY’S BACK: Actor Joe Pantoliano is best known for his star turn as Ralph Cifaretto on ’‘The Sopranos,’‘ but the veteran character actor has spent a lot of time in Chicago over the years—filming everything from ’‘Risky Business’‘ to both ’‘The Fugitive’‘ and its sequel, ’‘U.S. Marshals.’‘Now he’s back, but for a more serious reason—to host a screening tonight of ’‘No Kidding, Me Too,’‘ marking the Emmy-winning actor’s directorial debut. The documentary chronicles seven people affected by mental illness.Since going public with his own battle with clinical depression in 2007, ’‘Joey Pants’‘ has become an advocate ’‘to take away the stigma that’s still attached to all forms of mental illness,’‘ the actor said earlier this week, calling from his Connecticut home.’‘We need to start with kids in second and third grade to make them understand there’s no shame—to make them think about mental illness like we do asthma or diabetes or a tummy ache.’‘Frankly, my depression gave me a tummy ache for years,’‘ said Pantoliano.The screening of ’‘No Kidding, Me Too,’‘ is at 5:30 tonight at the University of Illinois at Chicago Student Center East, 750 S. Halsted.- On a lighter note, Pantoliano said he is ’‘the perfect guy for today’s recession. After years of having a reputation—totally deserved—for being cheap, I’m grateful. It’s paid off. I saved my money, which is a very good thing today.’‘DADDY NOT DEAREST: The renewed legal problems for Lindsay Lohan’s father, Michael Lohan—including charges he threatened his ex-fiancee and is behind in child support payments to LiLo’s mom, Dina Lohan—have further estranged him from his famous daughter.The actress continues to rebuff her dad’s attempts to reach her—specifically asking for money.A source close to the actress says she now describes her biological father as ’‘the sperm donor.“IN THE SWIM: Move over, Valerie Bertinelli! Inspired by pal Jaime Pressly, actress Melissa Joan Hart decided to overcome ’‘blogs about me discussing how fat I’ve become,’‘ and got back into shape.The 33-year-old former ’‘Sabrina, the Teenage Witch’‘ star’s two recent pregnancies with sons Mason, 3, and Braydon, 14 months, led to her weight gain, but that’s all in the past.The new People magazine cover proves Hart’s year and a half of hard work (diet and exercise) has paid off.
