So you think television shows like “Jersey Shore” or “The Sopranos” give you a realistic sense of what life is like for Italian-Americans from the Northeast region?
Fuggedaboutit.
According to Tony Muia (pronounced “moo-ya”) his half-hour Travel Channel reality show “Slice of Brooklyn” is the real deal. The program, which makes its debut with two back-to-back pilot episodes Wednesday, March 7 at 10 p.m. ET, offers a slice-of-life look at Muia’s homegrown bus tour company of the same name, which takes tourists to the tastiest spots to get pizza and cannoli or see Christmas lights.
“I painted the producers this picture of the colorful characters in my family and the things that happen that you can’t even make up,” said Muia, who is no stranger to TV, having appeared on the Food Network’s “Food Detectives.” “I just pitched them a show about my background.”
Since it’s a reality show, there’s lots of conflict, which includes words we can’t repeat here. But there are characters with funny names we can mention, like Fat Sal and Frankie Pancakes. These characters have worked with Muia since 2005 when he founded his company. They’ve also been involved in helping him keep his business afloat in the face of rising competition from larger New York firms -- which is what the first episode is about.
“These companies in Manhattan, they’re unscrupulous,” said Muia. “You get a little press and then all of a sudden they start hitting up the mom and pop places you found for your tours. For me, it’s frustrating because I don’t have the budget these corporations have.”
Although “Slice of Brooklyn” is being touted by the Travel Channel as its “newest show,” it’s technically still “in development” and its fate will partially be determined on whether viewers take to tonight’s episodes. Muia thinks they will.
“It’s a classic David vs. Goliath struggle,” he said. “It’s the story of a small family business that’s trying to stay in business while competition is heating up.”
Curious? Do you plan to tune in and check out "Slice of Brooklyn"? What is your favorite food program? Discuss your favorites on Facebook.
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