-There were two very different crowds gathered in Chicago on Saturday.

The first group was composed of several hundred war protesters carrying signs reading “Impeach Bush.” The second group, which had more than a thousand people, were more likely to hold up signs proudly proclaiming “Will work for … Trump.”

Reality TV geeks gravitated toward Chicago’s NBC Tower this weekend like it was a homing beacon or their own personal Mecca to try out for “The Apprentice 2.”

They are far from alone. Casting calls and requests for applications from shows such as “Survivor,” “The Bachelor” and “The Amazing Race” are can’t-miss events for the future reality TV dreamers of schemers of tomorrow, all looking for that elusive 900 seconds of fame.

NIU communication professor Matt Swan said many reality TV show viewers aspire to appear on the shows they watch.

“One of the reasons that reality television is so popular right now is that people can watch it and feel that it can be an opportunity for themselves,” Swan said. “Others get a feeling of superiority from what they see.”

Are you one of them? Here are some opportunities to become the next Trishelle (gag … literally) or Evan Marriott (14 minutes, 37 seconds and counting.):

“The Will”

The premise: Mike Fleiss, creator of “The Bachelor,” currently is developing this latest reality television adventure. “The Will” will find several families competing to be named benefactors to a wealthy man or woman who will give away his or her fortune to the winner. (Anna Nicole Smith need not apply.)

+ Go to www.cbs.com/primetime/will_application/

“The Benefactor”

The premise: Billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban plans to give away a million bucks to a complete stranger.

+ Go to www.abc.go.com/site/casting.html#benefactor

“The Swap”

The premise: Two families will swap moms for 10 days.

+ Go to www.abc.go.com/site/casting.html#theswap

Returning favorites:

+ “Big Brother 5”: www.cbs.com/primetime/big brother5/

+ “Amazing Race 4”: www.cbs.com/primetime/amazing_race_application/

+ “Extreme Makeover”: www.abc.go.com/site/casting.html#extrememakeover

+ “The Apprentice 2”: www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice/