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LEGO LEGENDS: Eau Claire Teens to Compete on 'LEGO Masters Jr.'
Will Tachick and Crosby Ehlenfeldt will (literally) build a world of their own, TV premiere slated for Aug. 18 on FOX
"Will walked next door to my house, knocked on the door, and asked 'Do you want to build LEGO on TV with me?' " That's at least how Crosby Ehlenfeldt put it when I asked how Will Tachick, now a Memorial High School Student, invited him to join forces on the debut first season of "LEGO Masters Jr."
Once they were selected from the pool of applicants, the duo quickly got to work.
Based on the hit competition series "LEGO Masters," "LEGO Masters Jr." features junior LEGO enthusiasts (ages 9-17) in brick-building challenges, working together with a celebrity teammate, as they compete to win the ultimate LEGO trophy, a $50,000 grand prize, and of course, the title of LEGO Masters Jr. Champions.
But this television show is far from Will's first rodeo. Before competing on "LEGO Masters Jr.," he's competed at Brickfest Live Philadelphia, Brickworld Chicago, Brick Slopes Denver, The Ultimate Brick Show in Marion, Illinois, and Brick Fair Virginia; he has been featured on Beyond the Brick, the largest fan-driven LEGO community showcase channel.
Will and Crosby, now 15 and 14 respectively, have been laying down bricks since they were four years old. Will's very first LEGO build — the "Black Falcon Castle" (#6074-1, year 1986) set — has a storied history in his family.
LEGO Masters Jr., hosted by Kelly Osbourne, was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, and will run for four episodes. The debut episode will premiere on Aug. 18 on FOX (and the next day on Hulu) at 7pm.
The set first belonged to his father Heath; it was passed on to a cousin, then back to the Tachick family when Will turned four. (Having personally owned that very same set growing up, my knees creaked at Will calling it "old.")
With Will's aptitude for architecture and Crosby's technical talent, the two prepared for "LEGO Masters Jr." with intensity and drive. The duo would spend two-hour periods building and rebuilding the same projects to see how quickly they could create massive, sprawling environments.
"We were trying to get in sync," Will and Crosby said, virtually at the same time.
"LEGO Masters Jr.," hosted by Kelly Osbourne, was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia and will run for four episodes. The debut episode will premiere on Aug. 18 on FOX (and the next day on Hulu) at 7pm. Each team of brick builders was paired with a celebrity guest; Will and Crosby got TV's Andy Richter.
"(Andy) was so great to work with," Crosby said. "He's even funnier off camera."
"(Andy) said he's barely played with LEGO before, so we should give him some direction. He was really great at doing exactly what we told him to," Will added, with a proud smile.
One example of the challenges Will and Crosby faced included a "Disney Train Ride," where they got to pick from Disney-themed and -inspired elements and construct a layout for a powered LEGO train to travel through.
"I've had layouts judged before, but this was pretty tense," Will said. "We had the same things to work with as the original "LEGO Masters" show, and the Brickmaster judges gave some great constructive criticism."
I tried to ask Will and Crosby more specific questions about their time on the show, but was met with a smile, wink, and a nod each time. A consummate professional, Will told me, "You'll just have to tune in to FOX next Monday to see what we did."
Will and Crosby have planned a local watch party, for friends and family, to see themselves on screen. "We were a little younger when we filmed," Crosby said. "So I can tease that kid on the screen."
The Tachcik family has also organized a LEGO club called the Chippewa Valley Blockheads, for LEGO enthusiasts to find community and continue building together.
Catch Chippewa Valley natives Will Tachick and Crosby Ehlenfeldt on "LEGO Masters Jr.," which premieres on Aug. 18 at 7pm on FOX and Aug. 19 on Hulu.
