OK, so I have already granted that NBC’s The Baby Borrowers is topical in addressing the very of-the-moment topic of teen pregnancy. (Though my gut tells me this issue, however genuine, is on the verge of becoming the shark attacks of summer 2008.) But the network seems to have let the matter go to its corporate head, having decided to forego the usual reality TV “reunion special” in order to upgrade to a more serious-sounding [clears throat] “town hall.”
Release after the jump.
NBC TO AIR “THE BABY BORROWERS” TOWN HALL SPECIAL OFFERING TOPICAL FOLLOW-UP AFTER ENCORE OF HIT REALITY SERIES FINALE ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
SPECIAL REUNITES CAST AND PRODUCERS AND WILL FEATURE NEWSMAKING GUEST STARS
BURBANK – July 9, 2008 – NBC offers an exciting follow-up special after the finale of its popular summer series “The Baby Borrowers” (Wednesdays, 9-10 p.m. ET) with a spirited debate punctuating an interactive town hall-reunion that will bring together the reality series’ cast and producers — as well as other news-making guests to be announced — on Wednesday, August 6 (9-10 p.m. ET). The special will follow an encore broadcast (8-9 p.m. ET) of the series’ finale from the week before. In addition, viewers will be able to send in questions via nbc.com.
“The coincidence of this unique series has drawn media attention to the very important subject of the recent rise in teen pregnancies as well as to recent related news ranging from the high school students in Gloucester to pregnant teen celebrities such as Jamie Lynn Spears,” said Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment. “This special should shed more light on a controversial subject that deserves more personal discussion beyond the social experiment that we provided to entertain audiences this summer.”
If they do one of these for Celebrity Family Feud, I’m out of here.