The Prodigy (TV series)
Recruiting scheme disguised as a TV show
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Prodigy was an alleged proposed American reality TV show in 2007 that promised $1 million in cash and prizes to the ultimate winner, but was actually a recruiting scheme for an alarm sales company.[1][2][3][4]
| The Prodigy | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Producer | Bryan Ferre |
The show staged casting events at college campuses throughout the country in 2007.[5][6][7][8] The show's creative director and producer Bryan Ferre announced that they were recruiting field camera crew from Collins College (Arizona).[9]
Students were reportedly selected from around the country, perhaps as many as 2000. Many of the students cast in the show later claimed it was an elaborate scam by Utah-based security alarm company Firstline Security. The "show" was produced by "Actuality Entertainment",[7] and producers promised the students it would air on a major network. Many students never saw any cameras, however. No show ever aired.[10][11][2][12] Firstline subsequently went into bankruptcy,[4][13][14] and the state of California launched an investigation of the company's practices which led to its license being revoked.[15][16]