Amy Poehler is coming to Kansas City to coach you on “Swedish death cleaning” in new show
A new self-help craze is coming to Kansas City in the capable hands of superstar comedian Amy Poehler.
Poehler’s new home improvement reality show, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” is seeking Kansas City residents and their messy households to help organize, downsize and declutter on the show. And if your living space is too tidy to qualify? You can also nominate a friend.
What is Swedish death cleaning?
While this show’s name sounds like something out of an Amy Poehler comedy script, it’s actually based on a book of the same title by Swedish author Margareta Magnusson. Swedish death cleaning can be undertaken by anyone at any stage of life, but got its compelling name from the practice of decluttering and consolidating one’s belongings as one enters old age.
The idea is simple: after we pass away, all our belongings become our loved ones’ responsibility. In order to avoid overwhelming them with useless junk, it’s a good idea to let go of old and unwanted items before that happens, keeping only what is useful or has sentimental value. The practice builds on the Swedish values of minimalism, comfort and efficiency.
What type of participants is the show looking for?
The casting call states that it’s seeking people who are “going through a major life change and need to rid themselves of clutter.” That includes those who recently got divorced, retired or are downsizing for another reason. The show bills itself as a “transformation series,” so the changes happening in your life will likely play a big part in your eligibility. If this doesn’t sound like you, you can also nominate someone else to be vetted by the show’s casting team.
How do I nominate myself or others?
Start by filling out this form with some information about yourself or the person you’re nominating. You’ll be asked to include explanations of the nominated person’s living space, any life transitions they’re currently going through, and why you think they would be a good fit for the show.
You’ll also be asked to provide some contact information, a photo of the nominated person and another photo of the exterior of the house or apartment building where the nominated person lives. The application asks for “as much detail as you can” provide, so be sure to answer all the questions thoroughly for your best shot at consideration.
So why is Amy Poehler teaching people this on television?
In addition to its attention-grabbing name, Swedish death cleaning fits perfectly into the personal and home improvement genre that has seen a big resurgence in recent years with shows like Netflix’s “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” and “Queer Eye.” Creators of the latter are now involved in creating this show.
Do you have more questions about Swedish death cleaning, specifically? Ask author Margareta Magnusson by flying to Sweden yourself. Or you can email us at kcq@kcstar.com and we’ll do our best to help.
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