1.27.2007
Will WitchSchool Go Sci Fi?
On January 12th the SCI FI Channel publicized a list of upcoming shows and specials that were in development for 2007. Among them (listed last in fact) was a "docusoap" co-produced by the SCI FI Channel and Stick Figure Productions entitled "Witch School".
"Harry Potter has nothing on this real-life Witch School! While resembling your typical classroom experience note passing, over-achievers, students who forget their homework, field trips and the dreaded pop-quiz some elements of this education are less traditional. Perhaps last night's homework involved communicating with a deceased relative, a field trip could involve spending the night in a "haunted" forest and that pop-quiz might involve a literal plague of frogs. SCI FI Channel and Stick Figure Productions (Amish in the City, Family Bonds) will team up to present this docusoap about Ed Hubbard and his Witch School."
But will the program ever see the airwaves? While the show is in "development" that doesn't necessarily mean you'll ever see a finished product.
"Adrienne D'amato, spokeswoman for NBC Universal and the SCI FI Channel, said via e-mail the show is in active development but not in production. More information regarding the program is expected when production commences in the coming months."
You have to wonder how much of this production is for the benefit of the cameras, until six months ago Witch School (which primarily exists as an online school) didn't offer on-site courses.
"The news comes just six months after the Hoopeston establishment announced it would offer on-site courses at its home at 112 W. Main St."
It is also interesting to note that a major rift within the Correllian Tradition (the Witchcraft tradition that runs Witch School) came shortly after the announcement of on-site classes. This allowed Don Lewis to become the president of Witch School in addition to being the head of the Correllian Tradition. A matter that has produced threats of litigation.
So while many members of the Pagan community are cringing in anticipation of what a Witch School reality program will look like, we may want to wait and see if any filming takes place, and if what is filmed ends up on television. A program "in development" can often end up in "development hell" (even if the Wiccans involved don't believe in Hell) and a filmed pilot can gather dust on a shelf. So perhaps we will all be spared yet another installment of Wiccan involvement in reality television.
Labels: Paganism, Reality Television, Wicca, Witch School, Witchcraft
Comments:
I really, really hope this does not end up as a show featuring those who don Dungeons & Dragons attire. If this is the case then we are all doomed... but then again, how else can such a topic be treated if not in the most stereotypical sense, this is reality TV after all. Please, TV producers, prove me wrong so I can go about eating my shoe.
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I really, really hope this does not end up as a show featuring those who don Dungeons & Dragons attire. If this is the case then we are all doomed... but then again, how else can such a topic be treated if not in the most stereotypical sense, this is reality TV after all. Please, TV producers, prove me wrong so I can go about eating my shoe.
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