Published: April 01, 2009 10:18 pm      

TLC to film reality show in Beckley

Nationally televised TLC reality series “Toddlers & Tiaras” will be filming an hour-long behind the scenes episode of the West Virginia Walk of Fame Pageant in Beckley this Saturday.

After scrutinizing hundreds of pageants across the country, TLC chose West Virginia, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania for its 10-episode docu-series.

“We like to pick bigger pageants and try to focus on state or national pageants. West Virginia comes up a lot,” said Suzanne Pate, co-executive producer of Toddlers & Tiaras.

Pate said TLC observed West Virginia’s pageantry at a Winter Wonderland Pageant last year and was pleased with the competition.

“We love West Virginia,” Pate told The Register-Herald.

“They have very good contestants that are full glitz.”

“Toddlers & Tiaras” goes behind the scenes of the child beauty pageant world and profiles a number of young contestants from all different ages and backgrounds, as well as their fanatical parents, TLC says in a press release.

TLC says “Toddlers & Tiaras” is a showcase of the traditional elements of child pageants, “jam-packed with stage moms and dads, hair extensions, spray tanning, makeup and glitter.”

“The appeal and success of ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ illustrates that this competitive world really exists,” explains Howard Lee, VP of Production for TLC.

“These children and their parents pour so much energy into wanting to win — and it's fascinating to watch.”

The series features the intense cultural phenomenon of child pageantry with details such as “overzealous mothers and fathers having meltdowns leading up to and during the pageants, and other behind-the-scenes mishaps,” TLC says.

This season, viewers will witness a pageant dad who takes the pageant life to the extreme — while sewing his daughter’s gowns, diligently teaching her dance routines, and storming out when he is dissatisfied with the results of the competition.

Three TLC production crews are already in West Virginia following contestants as they prepare for this weekend’s pageant.

Production crews are following two contestants from Clay County and one from Rainelle.

“Once we lock in a pageant, we receive videotapes on the contestants,” Pate says.

“We try to follow a contestant who’s really interesting, one that has an interesting story. One we picked in West Virginia is an ex-wrestler who’s 5, named Riley.”

Pate’s referring to 6-year old Riley Bowyer of Rainelle. To date, Riley has competed in more than 40 pageants.

The Register-Herald spoke with Riley’s mom, Monica, Tuesday. She confirmed that the TLC camera crew arrived at her home that morning around 11:30 a.m.

“Already they’ve filmed Riley’s trophies and her sashes, and Riley practicing,” Monica said.

“They’ll do interviews with the family, myself and my husband.”

TLC will also document Riley and her parents throughout Saturday’s pageant.

“We don’t do it at an extreme. She’ll have hair and make-up. This is the first time we’re having somebody else do her make-up for us. We don’t do tanning.”

Other than a few pieces purchased from E-Bay, most of Riley’s pageant attire is handmade by her mother and grandmother.

Monica says Riley enjoys the pageants.

As long as Riley has fun on Saturday, that’s all that matters, Monica said.

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The West Virginia Walk of Fame Pageant will take place Saturday at The Resort at Glade Springs.

Seventy male and female contestants, ranging from 11 weeks to age 15, are registered to compete.

All who enter the facility on pageant day will be required to sign a release because of the filming.

Clothing restrictions will be in place with no copyrighted logos such as sports teams logos, fashion logos, music/band picture logos or profane writing. Local business sponsors may be advertised by signing a logo release form.

The event is open to the public with a $10 door admission. The pageant begins at noon.

The West Virginia Walk of Fame episode is scheduled to air July 21st on TLC. That broadcast date is subject to change.

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“Toddlers & Tiaras” currently airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. with repeats at various times during the week on TLC.

TLC’s innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include “Jon & Kate Plus 8,” “Little People, Big World,” “What Not to Wear,” and “LA Ink.” The channel introduced “Miss America Reality Check” in 2008, which helped drive the Miss America Pageant to its highest rating in years.

The channel is available in more than 96 million homes in the United States, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the Web site at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in more than 170 countries.