German reality show casts an extra for 'Eclipse'; Jackson Rathbone expresses congratulations

A few months back, gossip around the internet suggested that Germany was to host a reality show designed to rival Germany’s Next Top Model. The premise was to find the perfect girl to land a role in the third movie of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse.

The rumor ended up being true; Germany did, in fact, go through with the reality show on the network RTL. Reuters reported:

“Mission Hollywood” is no joke. The show, which premieres June 8 in primetime on leading German network RTL, features Til Schweiger, Germany’s biggest star, and the prize — a role in one of the “Twilight” sequels — is enough to entice even the most skeptical would-be thespian.

RTL and production house Tresor TV also have secured an impressive lineup of jury judges to assess the talent. Permanent jury members Schweiger and famed acting coach Bernhard Hiller will be joined every week by a third juror, among them Carmen Electra, producer Erwin Stoff (”The Day the Earth Stood Still“) and German A-list actors Thomas Kretschmann and Moritz Bleibtreu.

Once filming began, however, reports suggest that the show flopped. From the Hollywood Reporter:

It was planned as a clever way to capitalize on the dual success of "you can be a star" reality shows and the "Twilight" franchise. In "Mission Hollywood," on commercial network RTL, 12 young actresses compete for a role in the next "Twilight" movie.

But despite massive hype ahead of the show's premiere and the local superstar status of actor host Til Schweiger, "Mission Hollywood" has been a ratings flop. "Mission Hollywood" debuted with an 8.2% market share, well below RTL's average, and has moved south ever since.

Now RTL has pulled the plug, moving "Mission Hollywood" from Monday primetime to Saturday afternoons. RTL will fill the primetime gap with reruns of its hit reality show "Rach, the Restaurant Tester."

Regardless, the show continued through the finale. German Twilighters now reports that Sabrina has won the coveted role, and has a clip of Jackson Rathbone from the set of New Moon congratulating the three finalists.

Reality shows have become the new comedy for prime time television in the U.S., with shows like America’s Next Top Model, American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance putting images of average citizens and their talents into the hearts of viewers. Though the show flopped in Germany, do you think such a show would hold a greater appeal as a family prime time American show?

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