Meet the Cast of There Goes the Neighborhood
Eight Diverse Suburban Families Compete on New CBS Reality Show
Jul 28, 2009
Earlier this week, CBS officially revealed the eight families who will be competing against each other next month on There Goes the Neighborhood, a new reality series that pits neighboring families against one another in a quest for a $250,000 grand prize. The families will remain in their homes for the competition, but will be cut off from the outside world by a gigantic 20-foot concrete wall surrounding their neighborhood, a suburban community in Kennesaw, Georgia.
As previously reported, the families chosen to compete in Neighborhood are more diverse than one would expect in a typical suburban neighborhood. They include a single mother, a lesbian couple, an interracial family, and a Jewish-Christian family. Two families have nieces or nephews residing in the household, and another family has a grandmother living with them. Let’s meet these eight brave families:
The Bussiere Family
Boston natives Tom (46) and Susan (42) have been married for nine years and have lived in the neighborhood for five years. Tom is currently an insurance agent and Susan is a homemaker and president of the PTA. They have two children, Elise (7) and Jake (5). Last year, Susan suffered a stroke, although she has now fully recovered and resumed her normal life. Since this difficult time, Susan’s 74 year-old mother Marcia “Mimi” has lived with the Bussieres.
The DeGirolamo Family
New Jersey natives Jeff (46) and Lisa (44) have been married for 18 years and have lived in the neighborhood for 12 years. Jeff, known as “Biggy” to his neighbors is currently a contractor, commercial painter, and handyman, while Lisa works for a software company. They have two sons, Greg (16), a future engineer who enjoys making models of rockets and cars, as well as playing sports, and Chris (12), the “class clown” of his middle school.
The Johnston Family
Pennsylvania natives Cameron (51) and Regina (44), who met when they both worked at a fine dining restaurant, have been married for 11 years and have lived in the neighborhood for six years. Cameron is currently a stay-at-home dad and coach while Regina, a former IT manager, has been unemployed for the last seven months. They have one daughter, Carleigh (11). The Johnston’s niece Theresa (25) also resides with them. She is currently studying to be an aesthetician and is working as a freelance production artist.
The Mullennix/Goff/Hatcher Family
Indiana native Clarissa “Chris” (41) has lived in the neighborhood for 11 years. She is joined by her partner of one year, Renee (42), and her biological son, Nathanael (18), from a 15-year marriage that ended in 2000. Nathanael enjoys playing video games and guitar and wants to teach English in Japan. Chris’s nephews Jeremy and Keith (17) also live with them; Chris took the boys in after both of their parents were killed in an accident 16 years ago. Only Keith is participating in the competition. His hobbies include working out, playing lacrosse, and playing video games.
The Nelson Family
South Florida natives Chris (47) and Mickey (47) have been married for 23 years and have lived in the neighborhood for nine years. Chris is a contractor, renovator, and coach, while Mickey is a stay-at-home mom who also owns a cleaning company. Both parents enjoy boating, fishing, and spending time with their three sons, Christian (19), Branson (15), and Jackson (7). Christian and Branson are both gifted students and athletes who earn straight As in AP classes and enjoy playing basketball and lacrosse. Jackson, who enjoys swimming and playing video games, will be entering second grade next year. He currently wants to be an oceanographer.
The Schindler Family
Parents David (40) and Christina (39), married for 13 years, decided to move to the neighborhood from California 10 years ago. David, a director of video production, is Jewish, while Christina, a preschool teacher, is Christian. Thus, this family is active at their local temple, but they also celebrate Christian holidays. The Schindlers have three children: Noah (12), Emmett (10), and Olivia (6). All three have big dreams to become famous one day: the boys are aspiring actors while Olivia wants to be a singer/songwriter. The whole family enjoys karaoke nights together.
The Southey Family
Single mother Laurie (38) and her daughter Haley (15) moved to the neighborhood two-and-a-half years ago. Laurie has raised Haley on her own for most of her life, although she remains friendly with her ex-husband. She enjoys hiking and playing tennis. Haley, a straight A student, is extremely active at her high school. She’s a member of the Interact Club, the Environment Club, and is also on the tumbling and cheerleading team.
The Upshaw Family
Ohio natives Ricardo (42) and Therese (42) have lived in the neighborhood for 10 years. Ricardo is currently an architect and Therese is a mortgage consultant. They have two grown children, Christopher (21) and Alexus (18). Christopher, a communications student, enjoys playing video games and just about any sport. Alexus, a cheerleader and dancer, plans to study genetics and psychology this fall in university.
Which one of these families has what it takes to survive three weeks of solitary confinement in their own home? Find out when 'There Goes the Neighborhood' begins Sunday, August 9th at 9:00 p.m. EST on CBS.
For more information on 'There Goes the Neighborhood', including how the game works and how other residents feel about the show filming in their backyards, click here.
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