Reality has eclipsed reality tv this week with the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crises in Japan. (For information on how you can help, please click here for Betty’s Japan Relief page.) To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, the problems of a few silly reality stars don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy, mixed up world when we are watching staggering human tragedy unfold in real time. Be grateful, hug your kids, tell your parents you love them and your best friend how much you appreciate her.

I’ll be back next week with a conversation with casting director extraordinaire Sean De Simone on how you can be on QVC! He’s in the midst of a national search for two new on-air hosts for the home shopping giant and he’s sharing inside advice on what they really look for and how you can get the competitive edge.

In the meantime...

Casting Call: Bravo's reality series Tabatha's Salon Takeover is looking for businesses in the red that could use help from Tabatha Coffey in upcoming episodes of the series. Most types and sizes of businesses will be considered including tattoo parlors, baker/pastry shops, bars, bed and breakfast inns, catering companies, cafes and wellness centers. If you own a struggling business or would like to nominate a business for consideration, visit tabathacasting.com.

Casting Call: FOX's upcoming singing competition series The X Factor set its audition schedule beginning March 27 in Los Angeles. The series is looking for undiscovered talent 12 years or older including both solo artists and vocal groups. Other audition cities and dates include: Miami on April 7; Newark, NJ on April 14; Seattle on April 20; Chicago on April 27; and also Dallas though the date has not been set. Interested individuals or vocal groups can visit fox.com/theXfactor for more audition information.

About Barbara Barna Abel:

Barbara Barna Abel is the President of ABEL INTERMEDIA LLC, a Casting and Talent Development firm specializing in non-fiction, alternative and reality programming, private coaching and personal branding across the media spectrum. Among her finds: Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Fab Five, Clinton Kelly of What Not To Wear, Adam Richman of Man vs Food and comedian Beth Melewski in the upcoming Cash Cab Chicago. Visit her at barbarabarnacasting.com. Tweet her: @barbarabarna

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