ABC has announced the initial audition dates for The Benefactor, its upcoming new reality series that will aim to answer the question of "what would you do for a million dollars?" when billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban gives away a million bucks to a complete stranger.

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Beyond the apparent explanation that Cuban is bored and looking for some complete strangers to amuse him, ABC and Cuban have yet to publicly reveal any details of the rules or criteria that Cuban will utilize to determine who'll get his million dollars, but apparently that hasn't stopped them from beginning the audition process. Right now, the only restictions seem to be that participants must be legal U.S. residents and at least 21 years of age.

Stated Cuban in the network's press release: "Everyone has dreamed of getting rich, and I want to help one lucky person get there. This isn't a traditional contest. You don't need special talents. I'm not looking to find out who is the grossest, funniest, prettiest, smartest or able to go without food or water the longest. The right person is going to get on my good side at the right time and, whoever that is, is going to walk away with a check for one million dollars."

"From the millions of applicants we expect, I will then invite approximately 15 finalists to visit with me and begin the journey to win the money. And I can promise you it will be a journey... with some of the rules made up along the way. "

If you can't make the auditions in person, you may also download an application from abc.com, keyword: casting. Completed participant applications, along with a one to three-minute videotape of yourself answering four questions about why you feel worthy to receive a million bucks from Cuban, can be sent to the following address (the deadline for submissions is April 2, 2004):

"The Benefactor"
6230 Wilshire Blvd., #1803
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5104

Six episodes of The Benefactor are slated to air during the summer of 2004.

Open auditions will being held in the following cities:

Saturday, March 27
Boise, ID
Doubletree Hotel Boise - Riverside
2900 Chinden Boulevard
Boise, ID 83714
9 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, March 27
Boston, MA
Il Panino
295 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
9 AM to 5 PM

Sunday, March 28
Atlanta, GA
Earthlink Live
1374 West Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30309
9 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, April 3
Dallas, TX
Eddie Deen
944 South Lamar
Dallas, Texas 75202
9 AM to 5 PM

Saturday, April 3
Las Vegas, NV
Location and time TBD

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