Fur Flies On 'InTurn'

 
By Sherri August 11, 2006




With seven of the original eight contestants left, life at the 'InTurn' loft is starting to heat up on CBS' Innertube.

The show, launched earlier this summer on the CBS broadband site, involves eight wannabe actors vying for a 13-week contract with CBS Daytime's "As The World Turns."

With three new episodes each week for a total of about 24 episodes, the clock is ticking down to the final three contestants who each will ultimately be judged by ATWT and 'InTurn' viewers during online polling. While all final three contestants will be worked into the ongoing "slasher story," only one will get the 13-week contract.

Complicating matters on "InTurn," the contestants are all sharing quarters in a New York City loft that's two blocks away from the ATWT studios.

Richard Mensing, the vice president of CBS Daytime, East Coast, and one of the judges on the show, recently took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to TeevBlogger.

The idea for "InTurn" came from ATWT's executive producer, Chris Goutman, Mensing explained. When the show was pitched, CBS wanted to run with the idea, but had difficulty trying to find it a home. "We were trying to figure out all the areas where it might fit," Mensing said. "One of the things with CBS daytime programming wise is we don't have the room on the schedule to put a half-hour program or a fifteen-minute program."

Since the idea was one CBS officials liked, "We looked at various platforms - where it could live. What happened was CBS was getting ready to launch its broadband network and they were looking for original content, from there 'InTurn' was born onto Innertube."

The road from CBS' final green light to put the show on Innertube to the actual first filming was what Mensing described as "a whirlwind. There was no time for lollygagging."

With hundreds of potential cast members lined up, whittling down the numbers was difficult, he said. "It was a fun process and we had a good time doing it ... none of us have ever cast reality before."

The original call for national submissions for cast members went out the week of April 24; shooting began June 20.

"We were looking for quality actors or those who had the potential to grow over the course of that time and at the same time we were looking for personalities," said Mensing, adding it was a double-edged casting situation. It was important to not only consider potential ATWT cast additions, but also to find "the right dynamic to put into a house. It was difficult to find eight."

Of particular concern was the background of the people chosen to live in the loft. "When you put a group of people (together), for liability sake, you have to do all these extensive background checks."

With episode 12 of "InTurn" rolling out Aug. 11, Mensing said he's very pleased with the show so far. "It's been great and I've just heard positive responses.

"When you are involved in something from the beginning and you watch it birth itself and come to fruition ... it's beyond what in my head I thought. Visually alone I can't tell you how many people say I can't believe this isn't on television."

Serving as an impartial judge for the selection of the final three cast members, who will appear on ATWT starting at the end of August, is a bit tricky, Mensing said. "For me, I just remove myself from them. I'm not allowed to associate with them outside of judging. It's hard. I'm not a disconnect type person."

Fans of "InTurn" have already had to say good-bye to one cast member, and episode 12 promises to bring out more drama, Mensing said.

"Friday's episode (Aug. 11) is genius," he said. "It is so good. It's 'Jerry Springer' meets 'As The World Turns.' The fur flies on Friday."

As for whether or not "InTurn" will see a second season, Mensing said "it's all up in the air. I hope so."

Check out "InTurn" by clicking here. The entire season is available for viewing, as is Mensing's blog that offers behind-the-scenes insights into the show.

Related:
"Greek to Chic" on Innertube
Innertube Launches 3rd Online Show
CBS Throws an Innertube