FOX 5 Special: Reality TV

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Reality TV shows can be addictive. One need only look at the millions of people who tune in every week to watch FOX's hit show "American Idol." Some people aren't content to just watch from home, they want to be a part of the show. So what does it take to be a reality TV star?

For hopefuls at a recent "Master Chef" audition in Atlanta, a good dish and a great personality were on the menu.

"I have a unique personality and I feel like people would want to watch that," said hopeful Louisa Hacken.

On a cold, soggy Saturday, more than 300 amateur chefs braved the elements for hours, hoping their dish and their own personal flavor would become their meal ticket to fame. And why not? It worked for Gordon Ramsey.

Ramsey's "Hell's Kitchen" has been sizzling for seven seasons. Now, Ramsey is slated to host "Master Chef."

"Gordon Ramsey has quite the reputation and I'm the complete opposite. I'm a sweetheart and I couldn't hurt a fly," said product marketer Claire Vanderhoof.

Karen Happel is a casting director for reality shows. It's Happel's job to sift through the personalities in search of men and women viewers would want to watch every week.

Happel said there is one thing that turns off every casting director. "We know when somebody just wants to be on television, we can tell and that's not what we're looking for," Happel said. "We want everybody who's involved in the show to really want to be there, not just to get their 15 seconds of fame, but to have the right kind of passion for the right show."

Happel said that it's hard to describe what makes a star, but casting directors know it when they see it.

When "General" Larry Platt auditioned in Atlanta for this season of "American Idol," it was obvious that he was too old for the show. Still, Platt found a way to stand out among the crowd of 10,000.

Platt has now become a household name, and he is proof that you just have to have that "thing" to keep viewers glued to the tube.

In John Gidding's case, it was a flare for unique interior design. Gidding is the host of "Curb Appeal," a redecorating and design show on Home and Garden Television.

Gidding said it takes more than talent or a quirky personality to land a show. People on reality TV shows have to make a natural connection with viewers.

"Everything we watch, even when we see people eating bugs or something, you're like, 'Would I make myself do that for $50,000?'" said Gidding.

Gidding has two architecture degrees, a bachelor's degree from Yale and a master's from Harvard.

Despite his success, Gidding has drawn some criticism from fellow architects. "They ask me what I'm doing and I tell them I'm on TV, I get that look like, oh. They think I'm a Salahi, they think I'm the Balloon Boy," said Gidding.

Many of those auditioning for "Master Chef" said appearing has a contestant had less to do with reality TV and more to do with a life change or even a career change.

Mark Link loves his job as an airline pilot, but he said he loves cooking even more. As a chef, the father of four says he'd have more family time. That's why he was hoping to get a spot on the show that promises to turn amateur chefs into pros, no matter how hot it gets in Ramsey's kitchen.

"I can excel and do well in any environment. I love a challenge and I work well under pressure," said Link.

"Reality TV is a way of putting on the fast burner any latent [professional aspirations] you may have had," Gidding said.

One thing everyone from hopefuls, stars and casting directors could agree on was that the key to reality TV stardom is just being yourself.

"People love it and they love to watch it, and I think it's because you have these relatable characters, just real people and everybody wants to relate to somebody," said Happel.

The odds of actually making it on any reality show are very slim. Of the 10,000 "American Idol" hopefuls who auditioned in Atlanta, only 25 made it to Hollywood and not one them made it to the Top 24.