‘Black. White.’ promises to be a learning experience for cast and audience

It’s a black and white issue. FX is bringing a new reality documentary to the screen that explores racism in today’s society.

Two families – one black and one white – see what it’s like to literally live in each other’s skin during the six-part series.

The transformation is amazing as the Wurgels emerge as a black family and the Sparkses find out what it’s like to be white. The two families live together in a home in Tarzana, Calif., throughout the series, and try to coach each other as to what their everyday lives are like and how to pass as members of another race.

The makeup process for the parents and their teenage children takes three to five hours every day and is astounding to watch. If you hadn’t seen them before, you’d never believe the transformation they make as the Sparkses don white skin and the Wurgles become black, complete with hair and clothes.

Carmen Wurgle was raised in a very liberal home and although she says race isn’t an issue for her, it’s interesting to watch as stereotypes are explored and discussed.

“None of us will be the same again,” Carmen says of the experience.

Her husband, Bruno, on the other hand has some lessons to learn – in addition to putting a strain on his own marriage. Frequently using derogatory terms to define his newfound black skin, Bruno finds himself in several confrontational situations with Brian Sparks.

The Wurgels’ 15-year-old daughter is inspiring in the way she embraces the experience. A typical all-American teenager, Rose learns what it’s like to be “a lamb in a lion’s den” when she takes a slam poetry class.

This one’s not your typical reality show, and everyone should watch. Produced by R.J. Cutler and Ice Cube, “Black. White.” is slated to premiere in March 2006 on FX.

One side note: What was Randall thinking on “The Apprentice” finale when he ruined the opportunity for Rebecca to be hired as a second apprentice to The Donald? It was obvious to those watching that Trump – who said he could have been persuaded to hire Rebecca in addition to Randall – was just looking for the OK from his first pick.

Randall had been one of my top picks to win the apprenticeship from the beginning, but he lost a little respect with that move.