Question: I watched the Super Bowl’s half-time show on CBS recently, and, like many others, was disgusted by Janet Jackson’s antics and those of other so-called “entertainers.” Now I’m hearing about a new “reality” show planned by CBS called “The Will”. A social worker friend of mine is up in arms about this show, saying it will lead to even more financial abuse of the elderly. Since you often write about matters of interest to seniors and their families, I was wondering if you have done any research on this upcoming program and, if so, what you think about it.

Answer: We have an opinion, all right. Billed as the latest in “reality” television, “The Will” is another brainchild of Mike Fleiss, creator of “The Bachelor.” That was the program, you may remember, where a bachelor was introduced to a number of women desperate to get married. Over a period of several weeks, the prospective bridegroom would get to know each of the women and then eliminate them one by one, for various reasons, until the last woman “standing” received a diamond ring and a marriage proposal.

According to the CBS Website, “The Will” has been looking for folks with a “sizeable” fortune and a “substantial sense of humor” who are willing to participate in a television series that would pit family members against each other to be named heir to the family fortune. People interested in being the Benefactor can download an application from the Website. And if you know someone who might be willing to give away his or her fortune on national TV, you are invited to pass on the name.

Given the growing incidence of elder abuse in this country today, we believe a program of this kind is not only ill-advised, but dangerous to seniors. And we’re not alone. Paul Greenwood, Deputy District Attorney and Head of San Diego’s Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit, is sufficiently concerned that he has sent an e-mail alert throughout the country through an Elder Abuse List-Serv sponsored by the American Bar Association.

According to Greenwood, it’s likely that the “Benefactors” will be elderly. And, if the Benefactors are sitting on a fortune, imagine the potential for mischief -- or worse -- as unscrupulous family members scheme before a national audience to convince the rich elder to leave the fortune to them, all in the name of good fun and ratings.

It’s not uncommon, of course, for a “goldigging” family member -- or, sometimes, even a stranger – to befriend a wealthy senior citizen and become their new best friend. The older person might be lonely, and appreciative of the attention. Then, before you know it, the “new best friend” or trusted family member has taken the elderly person to a lawyer and had the will changed -- or even worse, has signed a new power of attorney with broad powers that is used to lighten the senior’s pockets during life instead of waiting until death.

Since family members often don’t know about what has happened until after the elderly person dies or becomes incapacitated, it’s usually too late to do anything except fight the power of attorney or the will in court.

Under the guise of “entertainment”, we believe that if CBS decides to air “The Will”, the program could give even more ideas to unscrupulous copycat viewers about how to prey on vulnerable elders. Says Paul Greenwood: “Hopefully, CBS will decide that a will is not entertainment, but is an important legal document that can be used as a deadly weapon if it falls into the wrong hands.”

Adult Protective Services units have already written to CBS to protest “The Will” because of concern about the potential harm this program could bring. But remember that CBS is owned by Viacom, the same folks who bring you MTV and – not Ozzie and Harriet-- but Ozzie and Sharon and their delightful family. If they run this one, CBS can’t blame Janet and Justin.

Taking the Next Step: If you are concerned, we suggest that you contact CBS executives at 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019, or call them at (212) 975-4321. You may wish to email your views to the program’s casting department in California at cbscasting1@yahoo.com.