# About the "Casting Call" thread in Great Debates **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 29, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872 "2014-09-29T15:56:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/1 "2014-09-29T15:56:15Z")
[This thread in Great Debates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735753)raises some questions in my mind, the least of which is why it is in Great Debates in the first place. Why did the staff approve the posting of this somewhat skeevy casting call from a company whose other current project is now seeking people that are romantically involved with their cousins? Has the board approved stuff like this before? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/2 "2014-09-29T16:03:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > [This thread in Great Debates](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735753)raises some questions in my mind, the least of which is why it is in Great Debates in the first place. Because the OP either put it in the wrong forum or didn’t ask where to post it. I’ve moved it to Cafe Society. > [@](#): > > Why did the staff approve the posting of this somewhat skeevy casting call from a company whose other current project is now seeking people that are romantically involved with their cousins? Has the board approved stuff like this before? We thought people might enjoy it and that it wasn’t all that different from survey requests we have approved on a few occasions in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/3 "2014-09-29T16:05:53Z")
Except for the fact that they are doing this for profit. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/4 "2014-09-29T16:08:40Z")
Yes, it is not exactly the same. But we felt it was somewhat similar, and nobody will make a dime off of anyone who didn’t choose to participate. And there are intermediate steps between reading and posting to the thread and getting on a TV show, of course. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/5 "2014-09-29T16:09:48Z")
Ed said it was okay for them to post. He did not weigh in on the merits of the situation; that is for you to decide. Management is not responsible for what you do. You can participate or not, as you wish. If this offends you, leave it be. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/6 "2014-09-29T16:16:57Z")
I’m not in showbiz, but it should also pointed out that this is a _casting company_. They cast reality shows. They are not making the show or the other show you are talking about. That’s also not their only listed “current project.” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/7 "2014-09-29T16:27:27Z")
I want to know what demographic they think the ‘straight dope’ caters too — I have a feeling they think we are a bunch of ex-felon cousin loving people… IOW - they asked to post here because of DOPE in the title - and they have a less than stellar opion of the citizens here. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/8 "2014-09-29T16:28:31Z")
I was just thinking that, since this is a straight business proposition, it belonged in Marketplace. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/9 "2014-09-29T16:55:00Z")
As you know, or should know, Marketplace ads can only be started by Members. And cousins … well, we’ve already done that. [What’s wrong with cousins marrying? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2564/whats-wrong-with-cousins-marrying) Again, if you don’t like it, don’t participate. Doesn’t matter what your cousin says from the other side of the bed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/10 "2014-09-29T17:02:51Z")
I _do_ know that ads can only be placed by members, so as to encourage people to become members and enjoy that as one of the benefits. That was the point I was trying to get across. As it now stands the ad is still there, without the membership revenue. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/11 "2014-09-29T17:11:24Z")
Who cares? Not every thread has to excite you or fit into your definition of what deserves to be here and seen by other members. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/12 "2014-09-29T17:13:36Z")
Do you get this upset every time a poster is given permission to plug their product/service/all-out plea for money without being a member or posting to Marketplace? ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/13 "2014-09-29T17:17:09Z")
**MODERATOR NOTE:** Do not make this thread a dogpile on Czarcasm. (Or anyone else.) Keep it civil and reasonably polite and on topic. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/14 "2014-09-29T17:23:27Z")
He starts a thread and we can’t ask him questions? I don’t see what is uncivil or off topic here. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/15 "2014-09-29T17:40:56Z")
That is not what I said. Ask him all the questions you like within reason and on topic. Don’t slap at him (or anyone else) while you do it. That’s not appropriate for this forum. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/16 "2014-09-29T17:42:27Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > **MODERATOR NOTE:** > Do not make this thread a dogpile on Czarcasm. (Or anyone else.) Keep it civil and reasonably polite and on topic. > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > He starts a thread and we can’t ask him questions? I don’t see what is uncivil or off topic here. Seriously Tuba. At least wait until people pile on him before rushing to protect the former mod. He has opinions about the thread and started this OP to express them. Questions about this opinion that he opened a thread to express shouldn’t be treated as a pile on. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/17 "2014-09-29T17:43:05Z")
AKA, no one was uncivil or off topic. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/18 "2014-09-29T18:23:46Z")
Didn’t think it was a pile-on. Yet. Not protecting anyone because it doesn’t matter who it is in ATMB, you don’t fight with people in this forum. I’d rather steer a discussion towards better management over letting it blow up into people slapping at each other and having to close the thread. Wouldn’t you prefer it that way too? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/19 "2014-09-29T18:44:49Z")
If my choices were a discussion with an eye toward better management vs slapfights, sure, I’d rather have the former. But it seems pretty clear to me that discuss all we want, management will manage how they want will we, nil we. So if the practical choice is between wasting my time on useless management discussions or slapfights, I’d rather have the slapfight because that, at least, would be interesting. As a matter of record, though, I don’t care if casting agencies want to troll (in the fishing sense) the dope. They’re just trying to fulfill a reality show need. It’s interesting that the management apparently thought the demographics here fit that need, though. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872/20 "2014-09-29T18:48:19Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > I’d rather steer a discussion towards better management over letting it blow up into people slapping at each other and having to close the thread. Wouldn’t you prefer it that way too? I don’t know, seems like a trick question because you do seem to enjoy closing threads. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-casting-call-thread-in-great-debates/699872.md?page=2)