July 11, 2008 | Read Time: 1 minute
A new reality television show that seeks to raise at least $10-million per episode for charity is being planned by Scott O. Talbot, an Australian businessman and philanthropist.
Working with the producer Blayne K. Ross, who was previously at Showtime, Mr. Talbot said that each show would document a fund-raising gala. While that would cost up to $500,000 to carry out, he said the charity will not be charged.
The show would star four professionals — an event planner, chef, decorator, and bartender — as they work to pull off a one-of-a-kind charity event for each episode.
The series would benefit charities such as Unicef, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and March of Dimes, but Mr. Talbot said he wants at least half of the charities represented to be smaller, little-known organizations.
Mr. Talbot said has already secured $120-million in advertising and product offers from companies that want to be featured on the show. He also said the reality series would provide a means for viewers to donate to the charity featured in each episode.
In hopes of a spring 2009 debut, Mr. Talbot and Mr. Ross said they are in negotiations with major networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox, adding that different episodes of the show could run on more than one network.
