ABC Family greenlights 'Prom'

Casting has already started in several cities

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

ABC Family will pin a corsage on "America's Prom Queen," greenlighting the six-episode skein targeted for next spring.

One-hour, to be produced by PB&J Television, centers on 10 high school seniors from around the country. The contestants (who must all be 18 years or older but still in high school) will compete in various challenges.

A panel of fellow high school judges -- repping the traditional teenage cliques, such as cheerleaders, jocks, nerds, misfits, Student Council kids, etc. -- will eliminate one contestant each week. The final five will serve on the "prom court," but only one will be crowned queen.

"America's Prom Queen" will conclude with an actual prom, featuring the entire cast and their dates.

Casting has already started in Los Angeles, Dallas, New York and Minneapolis; males are welcome to apply, although the contestant base will be predominantly female.

PB&J's Patty Ivins and Julie Pizzi will exec produce. ABC Family execs first came up with the idea, then approached PB&J about producing.

"Prom Queen" will shoot for two weeks in January, with a target air date in March. Show may wind up running as a part of a larger prom-themed programming event on the cabler (including prom-themed episodes of the channel's scripted skeins), although ABC Family hasn't ironed out the details yet.

Given the lucrative prom industry, Ivins said ABC Family and PB&J have contracted UPP Entertainment to pursue potential marketing partnerships.