Yemassee Picked For Reality Series
The women of Yemassee, a tiny town a half hour from Hilton Head, took a mass exodus to an undisclosed location (somewhere in Jacksonville, Florida) Sunday, as camera crews take over the town for a seven-day social experiment and reality television show that will premier on the Lifetime network.
“The Week the Women Went” will chronicle how the men they leave behind take care of business while completing a community project along the way. So far the show has had modest ratings in the UK and Canada, but this will be the premier season for the United States version of the show.
After a press conference at 4 p.m. at Ray’s Rib King on Castle Hall Road, the women said goodbye to their families and walked to the train depot to catch an 8 p.m. Amtrak. It is rumored that some of the women were transported by bus. BBC Worldwide Productions vice president Christine Shaw wouldn’t say Thursday how many women will participate, but its rumored to be about 125.
A media alert for Sunday’s event describes the show as a “daring social experiment,” in which the lives of Yemassee’s men either turn “into chaos or something magical happens.” As a person who lives in that town, I’ve spoke with some of the participants (I know many of them) who claim the show is less realty and more acting. There is allegedly more “retakes” and situation manipulation than anyone could have ever guessed including a staged wedding proposal. The show should be fun to watch for me at least since most families being filmed are either my wife’s family or friends.
One good thing, is the production is responsible in assisting town in rebuilding a run down train station that is shaping out to look unbelievable. I’ve heard that some local residences and companies have also donated to rebuilding.
The women are expected back this weekend.
