Many Carrboro residents rolled the dice last week at casting calls for "LoveTown USA," a series that will be broadcast on the Oprah Winfrey Network next year.

Some said they didn't really expect to find love, and several who applied didn't even want to be on the show. What most of those filling out the 19-page application had in common was a desire to put Carrboro in the spotlight. The town is hoping to get picked as the location for the series.

Open Eye Cafe employee Lindsay Dunlap sat near the shop's front door Tuesday night, coaxing customers coming in for coffee or drinks to get excited about the show and the possibility of finding Mr. or Mrs. Right.

"A lot of people are hesitant, because they don't know what they're getting into," she said.

"LoveTown USA" will bring professional matchmakers to a small American town in the spring to pair willing singles. Cameras will follow the couples for 30 days to see what happens and how it affects the town. Producers are seeking a town with roughly 15,000 residents, "a storybook, picturesque location and a definite sense of community."

Annette Stone, Carrboro's Economic and Community Development director, said producers contacted the town Nov. 4 and also called several local businesses, all of whom were excited about participating.

"There is a spirit to Carrboro that is very unique," Stone said.

She thinks eight to 12 towns are being considered at this point. Among them are several North Carolina towns - Fuquay, Clayton, Newton and Reidsville. Other competitors include Kingsland, Ga., and Culpeper, Va. Carrboro will submit its applications Monday, she said.

Christine Shaw, vice president of communications for "LoveTown USA" producer, BBC Worldwide Productions, said they looked at every American town that fit the basic profile. She wouldn't say how many towns were chosen or which might make the final three.

The winner will be picked in January, and filming could start in February.

Local filmmakers Richard Jaimeyfield of Dogwood Productions and Rachel Hazlett of Arcate Media are creating a video diary of interviews with potential love matches to submit.

Two hours into Tuesday night's casting call, Jaimeyfield had filmed roughly a dozen people, most of them women.

"I think, for the most part, men are afraid," he said.

Artist Erick Davis was among the men who said the show sounded like fun. He's usually more traditional about finding love, but it's been two years since his last date, he said

"I kind of believe in being in the right place at the right time," said Davis, who is looking for someone nice, "because I'm sweet all the way through."

"LoveTown USA" participants are not limited by age or why they're single, whether separated, divorced or widowed. They're also not limited by sexual preference, Mayor Mark Chilton posted on Facebook.

Kim Solomon, 42, and Diane Winans, 47, giggled when asked why they and a friend picked up applications.

"We're single," the women said in unison. They've tried the usual dating techniques, and especially with online dating, people don't always present themselves accurately, Winans said.

The show is something different, Solomon said.

Plus, they might meet Oprah.

As for what they're looking for in love, "someone who's happy with themselves," Solomon said. A job would be good, too.

"I don't want to complete you; I want you to be complete," Winans said.