Marcia Freidenreich Special Correspondent
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida — It’s a 10-year-old’s perfect day. Sling chocolate pudding at other kids. Watch adults in funny costumes act out silly skits. Take part in a pie-eating contest. All in hopes of becoming Pig of the Week.
And, a couple of weeks later, they can watch all the antics on television. That’s the goal of a new children’s television program, The Pig Club, being taped at the Tamarac Theatre of Performing Arts. The show’s creators are gearing it toward the 5-to-11 age group.
“It’s a unique program,” said Michael Marine, a health educator who created the show. “There is a need to teach our children positive values and to counter the incessant advertising of fattening and junk foods,” said Marine, of Weston. “The Pig Club is entertaining, but, more importantly, [it] teaches children the truth about the benefits of exercise, nutrition and treating each other with respect.” As the show begins, kids are asked to answer questions about pigs.
What is the definition of shoat? A young pig that has just been weaned. This is quickly followed by Broadway-style songs, including Shoat People and New Pork, New Pork.The kids who answer the most questions correctly become contestants.
The four contestants participate in contests including pie eating, (with low-fat, low-sugar whipped cream), mudslinging, (using low-fat chocolate pudding), pig trivia and pig poise. Children who don’t get selected get to sing, cheer and participate in the fun.
“We use humor and competition to entertain along with a powerful message of personal responsibility. It’s great fun, but parents will appreciate the educational messages in the skits and songs,” Marine said. He hams it up in the show as several characters, including The Hogfather and The King. “We made our own pig ears,” said Maya Singer, who attended the taping with friend Caroline Serda. Both girls are 10 and reside in Davie.
“My daughter is so excited, she’s never been on TV before,” said Maya’s mom, Lauren Singer. “I think it’s cool because I get to be on TV,” said Matthew Hitchcock, 10, of Hollywood. Cast members include Sam Seitles, 24, of Boca Raton, an elementary school teacher and professional wrestler who impressed kids with his muscular physique and push-ups as he acted out his characters’ roles. “I hope the kids come out, learn about nutrition and have fun,” he said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Pig Club
WHERE: Tamarac Theatre of Performing Arts, 7143 NW 88th Ave., Tamarac, FL.
WHEN: The show will be taped 10-11 a.m. Saturdays through Dec. 15. Seating begins at 9:45 a.m. and the doors close 15 minutes later for the hour-long taping.
Starting Monday, the shows will be broadcast at 4:30 p.m. on WPXM-Ch. 35, the local affiliate for the ION television network in South Florida.
ADMISSION: $5 per ticket. Ninety-nine seats are available for each of the Saturday tapings.
INFORMATION: Call 954-942-9578 for tickets. For information, go to www.thepigclub.org, e-mail Michael Marine at marinecorp@comcast.net or call 954-815-4257.