BENTON (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - There's no shortage of reality tv shows these days, and people in a small Illinois town are smack dab in the middle of a new one set to premiere in July.
Sonja Morgan and Luann de Lesseps are cast members of the “Real Housewives of New York City,” but, in their spin off, "Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake," the duo goes from the Big Apple to small town Benton, Illinois.
Brook Craig is the city clerk and former classmate of the show's producer Russell Jay Staglik, who grew up in Benton.
“Russell had this idea of the show ‘Schitt's Creek,’ to bring a real life Schitt’s creek to Benton where the girls stay in our local motel and they renovate the motel while they’re here and insert themselves into daily life,” Craig said.
So, what was most surprising to Craig about the experience?
“They are genuinely nice people...They did a lot of good things for the community while they were here,” said Craig.
She said that includes building a playground, painting murals, hosting a fundraiser for the animal shelter, and even commissioning a welcome sign for the city. The duo also had some fun mudding and catching catfish with their hands.
Craig said she hopes the show will generate some tourism for Benton.
“We’d love to have them back for a second season,” Craig said.
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