Ice Cream Shop Featured on TV Show

ABC television brought their news cameras to Livingston's "Frozen in Time" Ice Cream Parlour to film an episode of "What Would You Do?" an ethical dilemma reality-style show.

Now, the hometown parlour on South Livingston Avenue, owned by Kevin McCarthy, will be shown when the episode premieres at 9 p.m. on Friday on ABC television stations.

Episodes of "What Would You Do" challenge members of the public to stand up to racism, bullying, or other ethical questions - such as returning found money - by setting up a challenging situation with actors and filming the public's response.

Though McCarthy wouldn't reveal what the dilemma was when the cameras filmed at his 16-seat ice cream parlour six months ago, a teaser on the show's website said that Livingston ice cream patrons didn't like what they saw when a girl was getting picked on and got involved.

McCarthy said his staff stayed in the background while the film crews came in with actors and actresses and set up the situation. "We were sworn to secrecy," he said. "The store was still open but we were in the background."

He said the show, which is hosted by John Quinones, filmed at his shop for one full day to pull together Friday night's episode. "It was fun," said McCarthy, who admitted he's been anxiously awaiting the air date. "It's a great opportunity for people to see the store."

Though McCarthy will certainly be watching the premiere, he knows that it's a tough night to draw a huge television audience because of the beginning of Passover and the Good Friday observances.

But he said that shouldn't stop people from taking a second look at Frozen in Time, an old-fashioned style ice cream parlour that opened in 2011 and features smoothies, ice cream cakes, frozen yogurt cakes, low-fat soft-serve yogurt, flavored hot coffee and iced coffee and also hosts birthday parties.

"We've been waiting since August to go on TV," he said. "I'm just happy," he added, that the show is finally airing.