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First Selectman Dick Smith said it didn't take long for the word to spread that the town had been picked.
"Once the word was out, I must have had a hundred phone calls," Smith said. "I've been stopped on the street, called at home. Everyone wants to know if they're going to be on TV. It's amazing to me how excited people are."
Casting Director Caryn Posnansky said she was pleased with the turnout when casting crews descended on the town Aug. 4. After meeting the residents and interacting with them, she said she had no doubts whether Deep River would make the final cut.
"It's perfect," said Posnansky. "The people were so energetic and fun. We just knew Deep River was going to be on as one of the towns."
First Selectman Dick Smith said that during the auditions, the crew from ABC were optimistic about the town's chances for an appearance on prime time television.
"While the auditions were going on she [Posnansky] kept giving me these looks and saying, 'Oh, my God,'" Smith said. "It was like she knew Deep River was going to New York."
And while Posnansky has remained tight-lipped on the network's method for selecting towns for the program, she said Deep River fit the population criteria that the producers had set.
The actual broadcast date for the town's national television premiere has yet to be set by ABC programmers, but Smith said he had heard a rumor that the show may air the day after filming. Posnansky said residents would be bused to New York on Saturday, Aug. 27, for filming.
"We'll have everyone meet somewhere to board the buses and then we'll take them to New York," Posnansky explained. "It will take about an hour to film and then everyone will get back on the bus and we'll bring them back to Deep River."
Smith said residents who are selected for the show will meet at the elementary school for a reception on Friday, Aug. 26.
"I talked to Caryn yesterday and gave her recommendations for a caterer," Smith said, adding that residents will meet back at the school the next day to board the buses.
Executives at ABC have begun contacting residents who have been chosen for the live studio audience. Smith, who auditioned for the show with a 10-member tambourine chorus, said he has yet to hear if he will be one of the audience members.
"We have the tambourine thing. Malu Wood organized it and talked me into it. I'm kind of shy," Smith admitted. "I messed up once in a while."
Posnansky said the competition in the town hall's auditorium for the casting call was tight. More than 300 residents of all ages filled the auditorium and showcased their hidden talents for the TV crew.
"We had all types of people show up for the call," Posnansky said. "We had singers, dancers, and we even had a man who made animal sounds. Everyone had something unique."
Smith said some of the auditions surprised him.
"There are people I've known for 30 years," Smith said. "I never knew they could sing or whatever."
The show, debuting at number one in its timeslot, attracted an additional 1.1 million viewers to ABC Sunday night. According to Smith, even more viewers will tune in when Deep River gets its turn during the Sunday night lineup.
"I watched the first episode and it was great," Smith said. "I think more people will tune in each week and we'll probably be near the end, so a lot of people will be watching then. "
While Smith auditioned for the show, he said if he is chosen as an audience member or contestant he may not be able to participate because this is an election year.
"Based on federal law, my opponent has to have equal television time," Smith said. "I asked Amy to go, but she didn't sound that excited."
He added that lawyers for the show are looking for ways around the law so that Smith can participate with his town. Regardless of the law, however, Smith said he intends to go with his residents to New York even if he's not allowed to sit in the audience.
"One way or the other, I'm going to be there," Smith said.
