The realistic view of Muncie in "Armed & Famous" made the premiere a success for many residents and Ball State University students because it didn't make fun of the city.
More than 25 students watched the premiere at junior Betsy Mills' house. Mills and her sisters, freshmen Mandy and Abby, were excited to see the show because they were born and raised in Muncie.
"Not many people can say a television show was filmed in their hometown," Mandy Mills said.
Mills said she decided to have a party for the show because everyone, including herself was intrigued by it.
"I was especially interested because I met a lot of the stars over break," she said. "I met Erik Estrada, Wee Man [Jason Acu+â-¦a] and I saw Jack Osbourne playing poker at their hotel."
About 30 residents watched the show at local bars such as Doc's. Resident Rod Crossland said he knew a lot of people who thought the show would make Muncie residents look like "hicks" to viewers, but he was satisfied with the show.
"It was done professionally and some of the stuff shown was stuff you'd see anywhere," he said. "We are who we are."
Resident Drew Miniear said he was pulled over by Trish Stratus, but was not filmed because he chose not to sign the waiver for personal reasons. However, he said he still enjoyed the show.
"Muncie was portrayed as any other average city," he said. "That stuff happens everywhere, but that's the reason they chose Muncie."
Freshman Josh Anderson said initially he was not excited about "Armed & Famous" because he thought there would be a negative portrayal of Muncie citizens. He said he thought everyone on the show was going to be drunk. After seeing it he said he changed his mind.
"It was hilarious!" he said. "I don't think they were making fun of Muncie at all."
Many Ball State students interned with the show, while others saw the celebrities in public places. Junior David Williams, who watched the show with about six students in Noyer Complex TV room, attended the taping of their swearing in. He said he was surprised at how reality TV is really shot and edited.
"It was cool to be there and to look for myself on TV, but I was surprised to see how fictional reality TV is," he said. "They [the production team] had to shoot the ceremony several times."
While some viewers didn't know what to expect, senior Joe Gallagher said he expected the producers to make the show funny.
"The fact that Erik Estrada thinks he has experience [as an officer] is humorous," he said. "I guess it's just all part of the tone the producers were trying to convey."
However, everyone who watched the premiere didn't enjoy it. Sophomore Ali Stronczek said she wasn't impressed with the show or with it being taped in Muncie.
"It's hard to take it seriously because it's our hometown, especially with an ex-chick wrestler," she said. "A lot of it seemed very tongue-in-cheek."
Heather Bernardi, Jessica Kerman and Amanda Junk contributed to this article.
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