Little known fact … back before reality tv stars were all that … yours truly made it to the semi-finals of one of the seasons of “The Real World”.  Unfortunately, “Michael — the sassy, heavyset television producer from Des Moines” was beaten out by “Mike — the pasty, wildly boring racecar driver from St. Louis”.   Bitter … party of one.

Since moving to Kansas City, I’ve quickly realized this is THE town to live in if you want to become a reality television star.  Um, hello?  David Cook from “American Idol”, anyone?  From “The Apprentice” to “Survivor”, all the big shows have had Kansas City connections.  

I work with a girl currently holding her own as one of the bachelorettes on this season of “The Bachelor”.  Besides being a Kansas City Chiefs’ cheerleader, Kari Fajen is a girl who’s longed to be on a reality show since, well, birth.  Personally, I don’t understand what the fascination is … but, then again, I did audition to be on MTV back in the day.  If the Midwest is considered a popular stomping ground to find reality TV contestants, Kansas City must be the mother ship.

Just ask Kari.  She’s friends with just about every Kansas City-based reality star.  Think I’m kidding?

“My close friend in high school was on ‘Beauty and the Geek’, Kari said.  “My college cheerleading partner was on ‘Survivor: Guatemala’, my friend Marcus was on ‘Love Connection’, ‘Change of Heart’ and three episodes of ‘Blind Date’, and another Chiefs’ cheerleader,  Melina, was on ‘Average Joe’ …” 

With that sort of kismet connection, how could Kari NOT get on TV?  Clearly, fate was on her side.  And, in Kari’s case, some mighty big hair.  Will Kari find true love?  Who knows?  Really, who cares?  But like I’ve always told Kari:  “If we can put a man on the moon, we can put one on you!”