NBC seeks 'small town' newspaper for reality show

A unit of NBC is seeking a small-town newspaper about which to do a reality show. A casting call was made last week through the National Newspaper Association, the principal organization for community newspapers in the U.S.

NBC Peacock Productions asks, "What’s your small-town paper like? Do you work hard? Make each other laugh? Is your team a real version of 'The Office' meets 'Parks and Recreation?' We’re . . . looking to produce a documentary style reality show featuring a small-town local paper working hard to stay on top of breaking small-town news and keep financially afloat in an ever-increasing competitive world. Interested in participating or hearing more? Please contact us at smalltownnewspapershow@gmail.com or call 212-664-2307."

JimRomenesko.com reports that more than 70 editors and publishers have replied, and NNA's Stan Schwartz says producer Cara Biega "was impressed with how amazing their stories are." Biega hasn't returned our call. Some clarification is in order; for example, when folks in New York say "small town," that usually has quite a different meaning than in most of America's truly small towns.