"He's a Lady" contestant Ryan Katz, an aspiring actor, puts on his game face.

By Erika Usui

A pair of Broadcast News alumni from the School are creating new meaning for the saying "get out and work in the real world."

That would be the real world of "reality" TV, and it consisted of Ryan Katz ('98) strapping on high-heels to compete for a $250,000 prize on "He's a Lady" and Kia Seligman ('87) letting a novice handle a home makeover on HGTV's "Designer Finals."

"I'm not a stranger to making a fool of myself, and in fact, I kind of weirdly enjoy the embarrassment," said Katz, an aspiring actor who was plucked and painted on last fall's "He's a Lady" on TBS. "I don't take myself too seriously, so none of the uncomfortable situations seemed to bother me."

Katz said he and others were naturally forced to turn up their personality a few notches to avoid elimination from the show and become the prize-winning "lady."

"Yes, it's called 'reality' TV, but having cameras on you all the time obviously makes a performer such as myself turn up my personality a few notches, which may take away from the reality, but it does add a lot to the fun," he said.

Among other things, Ryan Katz's foray into the world of entertainment has included stints in pro wrestling.

"I love reality TV. I watch tons of reality shows, and I always check out the new ones when they debut. I like watching real people and seeing how they react to different situations. I know a lot of people are sick of the reality TV thing, but I love it and could watch 'reality' forever."

Despite his attempts to become the best "lady" on the show, he was voted off by the other contestants after the second episode. He said the aired segment made it look as though he was voted off because he made a fool of himself by getting drunk, but he said he thinks the real reason was because he became much more ladylike than other contestants and posed a threat to the competition.

"Being eliminated was tough because I know I could have done better, but at the same time it was a relief because it just wasn't the type of show I wanted to win," Katz said. "Sure, winning all the money would have been amazing, but I don't think I'm destined to win all that money by acting like a woman. I'm destined to make money by acting like me."

Katz said it was especially disappointing for him to knock on the door back home so early in the competition, since he wasn't expected to be back for several more weeks. He also got his share of being teased wherever he went, being referred to by his drag name, "Sunshine."

Ryan Katz

But evidently he wasn't disappointed or teased enough. Katz said his high heel-strapping, runway-strutting gig segued into a spandex-sporting "motion-capture" acting gig for World Wrestling Entertainment video games.

Katz it was "hands down the greatest job I ever had in my life." He imitated stunts and actions of his favorite wrestler in a bodysuit decorated with dozens of silver reflective balls, the technique used to create the life-like computer animation of Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies.

Katz has been seeking an unconventional career since before he graduated.

"My experience with the J-school was phenomenal. Professors Meg Moritz and Vicky Sama always gave me freedom to take my journalism outside the box, and that was very valuable for my creativity, my drive and my ambition. They allowed me to be me, as did all my J-school instructors, and for that, I will always be appreciative," he said.

"I went from interning at CBS in Chicago to starting my own wrestling company to packing up and moving to L.A. to work for a bigger wrestling company which happened to be owned by a porn company that happened to get invaded by the Feds, which enticed me to move to Nashville for a new wrestling opportunity, which wasn't very successful.

"So I came back to L.A. where I auditioned and landed a role on a show in which I had to make a fool of myself by dressing up like a girl."

For Seligman, the "reality" TV experience contained less drama and no cross-dressing. But there was a measure of suspense, she said.

Kia Seligman said her redesign experience was free of cost and stress.

Seligman said she became part of HGTV's "Designer Finals" after a producer looked over her application and agreed that her bedroom in her Englewood home was "pathetic."

On the show, Seligman said she sat back and relaxed as a design student faced the challenge of a real-life makeover with a minimal budget, a handful of helpers and just two days. The designer's theme was "Zen tropical."

"We had complete design control, which mitigates any actual drama and trauma, didn't have to do the work and, best of all, it was free," she said.

After the student designer made a presentation, "We got to say 'like it, hate it, change it.' We vetoed a horizontally slatted dark-stained headboard in favor of the raffia-leather inset headboard," Seligman said.

Just as it appears on the show, the work was finished in two days. They didn't see the finished room until it was completed, and, yes, their on-air surprise wasn't faked.

"We had seen it on paper, but, it is different walking in and seeing it, so we were sort of surprised at the finished product. Also, some of the specifics, like the photos over the bed and the way they did the headboard, were a surprise."

The segment was produced by another SJMC grad, Aleda Ramsey McKenna ('91), for High Noon Productions.

Seligman said she had worked for 14 years in various marketing and branding capacities until a couple of years ago. She claimed that she is semi-retired except when previous clients request limited help.

Dogs Gatsby and Daisy try out Seligman's new bedroom.

"The experience was definitely positive, with the exception of the camera adding 10 pounds," she said. "It was fun chatting with editors, writers and producers again. For a brief moment, I actually thought about going back to work – then I saw my little boy and decided I already have the best job in the world."

Katz and Seligman agreed that reality show biz is fun and exciting, and if an opportunity came again, they would give it a go in a heartbeat.

"I ate great and got taken everywhere in limos, even though I was dressed in drag," Katz said.

Seligman said, "I would do it again in a heartbeat, but my husband, Jeff, would be, um, much less excited.

"Reality TV was the next big thing years ago. I watched the first season of 'Survivor' and thought it was highly original programming. I think a lot of the programs have 'jumped the shark' at this point. I'd love to see reality shows morph into an interesting, unique story where there's no narrator and more than sound bites for characterization. It'll be fun to see what the next big thing is."

Katz lives in Los Angeles and can be reached at rixleplix@aol.com. Seligman is at dogparent@yahoo.com.