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Sometimes, dreams do come true -- even in Small Town, U.S.A.
Just ask the 200 people of Greenville, Alabama, (population 7,300) who were recently flown to New York City as contestants on ABC's My Kind of Town.
The series gives real Americans the chance to become the stars of their own show for one night and win some much-needed prizes.
"People have written to us after and said it changed their lives," says Caryn Posnansky, producer and casting director for the show.
"These are people who would otherwise never be on TV or be able to go to New York and here they are on TV, promoting their hometowns and winning prizes."
On tonight's premiere, a lucky handful of residents from Greenville will be selected from among the townspeople in the audience to participate in games and gags for prizes tailored to their own dreams, interests and needs.
One person will also be picked to play the final game, in which he or she will shoulder the burden of either winning or losing a huge prize for the entire audience, made up of people they'll see every day for the rest of their lives.
"It really is about the town and its people -- we are making them stars for an hour," says Posnansky "It's very fun and exciting."
Each week, hilarious surprises and amazing rewards abound for the townsfolk.
One woman discovers her home literally won't be there when she returns -- much to her delight -- and a local high school football star is given the chance to win his body weight in meat by playing extreme musical chairs.
"It's a dream-come-true show," says Posnansky.
"If we have a woman who all her life has never had a pedicure, we might give her a day at the spa. The prizes range from small things like that to things as big as trips and cars."
Hosted by British TV and radio star Johnny Vaughan, My Kind of Town airs tonight on ABC and CTV at 10 p.m.