CBS celebrity-item auction will benefit AIDS group
CBS is auctioning off everything but the kitchen sink to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation — and to promote the network’s new fall season in the process.
Starting Wednesday through Sept. 26, the network will put up for bid on eBay a slew of CBS memorabilia and celebrity experiences, such as David Caruso’s “CSI: Miami” sunglasses and dinner with Rupert Boneham of “Survivor: All-Stars” fame.
“People have a great affinity for these shows,” said George Schweitzer, CBS vice president of marketing and communications. “People love their reality shows. People love ‘CSI.’ Now they can have a part of these shows while celebrating the new season.”
Video trailers of new CBS shows will be available on the special eBay Web page.
Not hungry for dinner with Boneham? How about dance lessons with Tom “Big Tom” Buchanan, also from “Survivor: All-Stars”?
Not a “Survivor” fan? Take a tour of the “Big Brother” house instead.
Know a CBS soap lover who’s about to get hitched? She can walk down the aisle in a wedding dress worn by Brooke Logan Forrester from “The Bold and the Beautiful” or Harley Davidson Cooper from “Guiding Light.”
“We looked for items at all different levels,” said Schweitzer. “Some are priceless, and some are attainable.”
On the attainable side are signed photos of CBS cast members; the not-so-attainable include forecasting the weather on “The Early Show.”
There are plenty of tickets, too, for everything from the 100th “CSI” episode party to the “Survivor: Vanuatu — Islands of Fire” finale to the Country Music Awards show.
Schweitzer and his marketing team brainstormed 50 to 60 ideas for the auction, which took months to coordinate with staff from CBS shows.
What would he like to take home?
“I’d love to have the mat from ‘The Amazing Race’ that the contestants land on when they’re Philiminated,” said Schweitzer, referring to what happens when the show’s host, Phil Keoghan, eliminates racers from the reality TV game show.
Yes, even the mat — and a necklace worn by Keoghan — are up for auction.