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Exclusive: CW Sets Reality Show on Virgin's Flight Attendants
The CW is joining the mile high (reality) club, greenlighting production on a half-hour docusoap about flight attendants who work for uberhip upstart Virgin America.
Dubbed "Fly Girls," the series will have shades of MTV's "The Hills." It will follow five Virgin flight attendants as they jet set to locales such as Las Vegas, New York and South Beach in search of "good times, great parties, adventure and love," the CW said.
Eight episodes of the series, from executive producers Jeff Collins ("Bridezilla 5") and Colin Nash ("The Hills"), have been ordered. It's expected to premiere early in 2010.
“This show is about real, down-to-earth young women who happen to have landed in an exceptionally glamorous, high-flying career filled with exotic locations and handsome strangers,” said Kristen Vadas, head of alternative programming for the CW. “We’re thrilled to be working with Virgin America for this unique peek into a whirlwind lifestyle that shows how tough it is to be grounded when you work 35,000 feet in the air.”
In addition to following the "Fly Girls" around the world, the series will check in with the crew at the Los Angeles "crash pad." The series will focus on both their work and personal lives.
Despite the Virgin connection, "Fly Girls" is apparently not a pure branded entertainment project. Virgin is not controlling production, for example, as was the case in series such as "No Boundaries," a short-lived reality show sponsored by Ford which aired on the now-defunct WB Network.
However, it is expected that Virgin will lend substantial marketing support to "Fly Girls.
"Fly Girls" is being produced by Collins' production company, Collins Avenue, which is a joint venture between Collins and film/TV sales company ContentFilm.
The series was created by Collins, Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige.
Bredeweg and Paige will serve as co-executive producers, along with Larry Bond and Porter Gale.
Comments
Hank Says
Do we have any idea who the girls are? The only reason I ask is because I banged a Virgin America stewardess named reyann and I was wondering if she was going to be on the show.
almost there Says
This is for Doug Scott...I don't know what carrier you work for, but at the American carrier that I work for, and admittedly I do fly the international routes...we have minimum 24 hours or longer at our layover city...and my carrier compensates me quite nicely...domestic flying is grueling with on average short layovers its true...try switching to your carriers interational routes..
Regarding the show...hopefully they won't show a bunch of bimbos embarassing the rest of us "fly girls"!!
Sarah Billmore Says
I think this show is going to be so great - you are so right, it will be nice to bring some of the glamour back to flying. Lord knows it's become such a hassle. Have you seen the promos that the CW started airing? The girls looks absolutely gorgeous and it looks just like THE HILLS only much more grounded and attainable. Go THE CW! You are finally putting some good reality on the air!
Tonya Says
I agree with you doug on the show probably being somewhat fictional. But on the other hand with all the complaints and changes that have taken place this industry has become so negative. It would be nice to highlight some of the things that this industry was once known for and some cases still is; fun, sexy,the great traveling, the crazy people you meet, etc.. I am a flight attendant for one of these American airlines and I must say I still have fun on my layovers, and overnights, I travel the world, I meet great people daily, and lol I'm not almost homeless...I Love My Life..
Doug Scott Says
It could be a work of pure fiction! since the flight attendant career for most US carriers is now a matter of flying LOW FARE passengers to destinations with minimal layovers (8-12 HOURS!) after long , up to 16 hours, workdays and ever shrinking wages.
But then again, Branson treats his employees better then some AMERICAN airlines do.
I speak from experience since I'm a flight attendant for one of those AMERICAN carriers. After 21 years with the company,
I can ill afford to party on my layovers, let alone have enough time to rest after working all day.
belenz Says
wow, sounds like "flying high" all over again. that short-lived 70's comedy show based on "coffee, tea or me" and feautring pretty new york models pat klous, connie selleca and kathryn witt. hmmm, would a reality show be better than a re-imagined dramatic version of the series?