Get ready for more Gladiators.
Range Sports has signed American Gladiators creator Johnny Ferraro for representation, with plans to revitalize the reality competition franchise.
Range plans to work with Ferraro and his partners “on the development of the American Gladiators IP across TV, film, attractions, merchandise and live events.” Ferraro and Range “are in active development on multiple projects” to bring the American Gladiators brand to new audiences.
“American Gladiators is an iconic brand, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with Johnny to accelerate its growth and expansion across sports, culture and entertainment,” said Will Funk and Greg Luckman, co-presidents of Range Sports, in a statement.
The original series, which ran in syndication from 1989-96, saw contestants face off against elite “gladiators” in made-for-tv competitions. It was revived in 2008 as a primetime show for NBC, and earlier this year it was rebooted by the BBC, earning a quick second series pickup.
Range Sports has signed American Gladiators creator Johnny Ferraro for representation, with plans to revitalize the reality competition franchise.
Range plans to work with Ferraro and his partners “on the development of the American Gladiators IP across TV, film, attractions, merchandise and live events.” Ferraro and Range “are in active development on multiple projects” to bring the American Gladiators brand to new audiences.
“American Gladiators is an iconic brand, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with Johnny to accelerate its growth and expansion across sports, culture and entertainment,” said Will Funk and Greg Luckman, co-presidents of Range Sports, in a statement.
The original series, which ran in syndication from 1989-96, saw contestants face off against elite “gladiators” in made-for-tv competitions. It was revived in 2008 as a primetime show for NBC, and earlier this year it was rebooted by the BBC, earning a quick second series pickup.
- 4/17/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome to the 220th episode of TV’s Top 5, The Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast.
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week’s episode features a look at two beloved comedies and their respective end games and checks in on the latest news in Hollywood’s labor wars. Here’s how everything plays out:
1. Headlines
Ryan Seacrest, the purge at Paramount+, Breeders, From and another beloved CW executive leaving the Nexstar-controlled network lead the week’s top industry headlines.
2. The Other Two hangs it up
Comedy Central-turned-Max cult favorite The Other Two has wrapped its run as this week’s season three...
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
This week’s episode features a look at two beloved comedies and their respective end games and checks in on the latest news in Hollywood’s labor wars. Here’s how everything plays out:
1. Headlines
Ryan Seacrest, the purge at Paramount+, Breeders, From and another beloved CW executive leaving the Nexstar-controlled network lead the week’s top industry headlines.
2. The Other Two hangs it up
Comedy Central-turned-Max cult favorite The Other Two has wrapped its run as this week’s season three...
- 6/30/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“American Gladiators” aired in the 1990’s, but the competition still remains a phenomenon decades later. Last month, ESPN’s “30 for 30” explored the show, and now, Netflix is getting into the game.
Netflix’s five-part docuseries, “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of ‘American Gladiators,” dives into the hit, chronicling the meteoric rise and sweeping impact the superhero-like athletes had on both fans across America and their “average Joe” competitors.
Co-directors Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku were fans of “American Gladiators” as teens, so it was natural to revisit the TV show when Netflix presented the opportunity. In their series, the filmmakers explore the good, the bad and the ugly, bringing audiences insight through access to executives who greenlit the production in the ’80s, original crew members and gladiators, including Nitro (Dan Clark), Storm (Debbie Clark), Diamond (Erika Andersch Bunker), Laser (Jim Kalafat), Ice (Lori Fetrick), Zap (Raye Olson), Blaze...
Netflix’s five-part docuseries, “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of ‘American Gladiators,” dives into the hit, chronicling the meteoric rise and sweeping impact the superhero-like athletes had on both fans across America and their “average Joe” competitors.
Co-directors Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku were fans of “American Gladiators” as teens, so it was natural to revisit the TV show when Netflix presented the opportunity. In their series, the filmmakers explore the good, the bad and the ugly, bringing audiences insight through access to executives who greenlit the production in the ’80s, original crew members and gladiators, including Nitro (Dan Clark), Storm (Debbie Clark), Diamond (Erika Andersch Bunker), Laser (Jim Kalafat), Ice (Lori Fetrick), Zap (Raye Olson), Blaze...
- 6/28/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Ever since Netflix’s The Last Dance and Drive to Survive became highly-rated documentary series, the platform has become a hub of sports drama documentaries in the hope of capitalizing on the newfound popularity of the genre. Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators is a Netflix Original limited documentary series about “American Gladiators,” the famous television show that ran on American networks from 1989 to 1996. Directed by Jared Hess and Tony Vainuku, it was released on June 28, 2023, and skates by on the nostalgia element and nothing else.
The entire documentary series takes the audience through the lives of the so-called ‘gladiators’ that took part in this good old television show, the journey they began, and how it changed them as individuals. This strenuous part of their lives is filled with only fame and no fortune because the ‘gladiators’ went through tough times during their eight years on this show.
The entire documentary series takes the audience through the lives of the so-called ‘gladiators’ that took part in this good old television show, the journey they began, and how it changed them as individuals. This strenuous part of their lives is filled with only fame and no fortune because the ‘gladiators’ went through tough times during their eight years on this show.
- 6/28/2023
- by Smriti Kannan
- Film Fugitives
The fascination over American Gladiators isn’t over just yet: Three weeks after ESPN aired 30 for 30: The American Gladiators Documentary, Netflix is now shining a spotlight on the inimitable ’80s competition show that gave us Nitro, Gemini and thrilling jousts with what looked like giant, padded Q-tips.
Like ESPN’s penetrative two-parter from director Ben Berman (The Amazing Jonathan Documentary), the new Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (dropping June 28 on Netflix) reminds us that TV’s first big reality show stars weren’t privileged women who throw wine in fits of rage. They were pumped-up athletes who donned patriotic colors while playing Goliath to some poor civilian’s David in a makeshift battledome.
But while ESPN’s documentary from Vice Media focuses more of its narrative on Johnny Ferraro, the infamous figurehead behind the memorable franchise, Muscles & Mayhem keeps the attention on the gladiators and how,...
Like ESPN’s penetrative two-parter from director Ben Berman (The Amazing Jonathan Documentary), the new Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (dropping June 28 on Netflix) reminds us that TV’s first big reality show stars weren’t privileged women who throw wine in fits of rage. They were pumped-up athletes who donned patriotic colors while playing Goliath to some poor civilian’s David in a makeshift battledome.
But while ESPN’s documentary from Vice Media focuses more of its narrative on Johnny Ferraro, the infamous figurehead behind the memorable franchise, Muscles & Mayhem keeps the attention on the gladiators and how,...
- 6/28/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
We may live in a post-truth world, but most viewers still settle in to watch documentaries with the assumption that what we’re going to be treated to is at least some version of “truth.” Surely, we think, “truth” is what most documentary filmmakers aspire to.
If that sounds familiar, you probably read too many of my reviews. It was the start of my take on The American Gladiators Documentary, Ben Berman’s four-hour 30 for 30 treatment of the syndicated spandex-and-steroids phenomenon that was American Gladiators. Less than a month after that project, which took an intentionally truth-evasive look at authorship controversies surrounding American Gladiators, along comes Tony Vainuku and Jared Hess’ new Netflix’s five-parter, Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators, which has a different approach to “truth.”
“The time of the American Gladiators. It was the ’90s,” Dan “Nitro” Clark says in the introduction to the series.
If that sounds familiar, you probably read too many of my reviews. It was the start of my take on The American Gladiators Documentary, Ben Berman’s four-hour 30 for 30 treatment of the syndicated spandex-and-steroids phenomenon that was American Gladiators. Less than a month after that project, which took an intentionally truth-evasive look at authorship controversies surrounding American Gladiators, along comes Tony Vainuku and Jared Hess’ new Netflix’s five-parter, Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators, which has a different approach to “truth.”
“The time of the American Gladiators. It was the ’90s,” Dan “Nitro” Clark says in the introduction to the series.
- 6/27/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"You are never gonna defeat 220 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a documentary series streaming event called Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators. This seems to have originally been developed as a doc film, but its being split into five 45 minute episodes (for a total of 225 minutes - which is almost 4 hours). In the 1990s, TV's stunt-filled "American Gladiators" show thrilled fans. This docu-series explores the show's success and how it almost ended before it began. The meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the '90s. Told first hand from the stars who lived through it, this five part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators' triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame. Bring it on! Featuring appearances from many of the actual...
- 6/22/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for “Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators,” which will offer a behind-the-scenes look into one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the ’90s.
The five-part docuseries includes firsthand accounts from the stars who lived through it, sharing untold stories of American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil and the ultimate price of fame. They include Dan “Nitro” Clark, Debbie “Storm” Clark, Erika “Diamond” Andersch Bunker, Jim “Laser” Kalafat, Lori “Ice” Fetrick, Michael “Gemini” Horton, Raye “Zap” Olson, Shari E “Blaze” Pendleton Mitchell, Shirley “Sky” Eson-Korito, Steve “Tower” Hennebery
“Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators” is directed by Tony Vainuku and Jared Hess, produced by Campfire Studios and Game Seven Media and executive produced by Clark, Vainuku, Hess, Ross M. Dinerstein, Kyle McCutcheon, Peter Sussman and Chris Koras.
Also Read:
‘American Gladiators’ Star Michael Horton on the Sacrifices...
The five-part docuseries includes firsthand accounts from the stars who lived through it, sharing untold stories of American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil and the ultimate price of fame. They include Dan “Nitro” Clark, Debbie “Storm” Clark, Erika “Diamond” Andersch Bunker, Jim “Laser” Kalafat, Lori “Ice” Fetrick, Michael “Gemini” Horton, Raye “Zap” Olson, Shari E “Blaze” Pendleton Mitchell, Shirley “Sky” Eson-Korito, Steve “Tower” Hennebery
“Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators” is directed by Tony Vainuku and Jared Hess, produced by Campfire Studios and Game Seven Media and executive produced by Clark, Vainuku, Hess, Ross M. Dinerstein, Kyle McCutcheon, Peter Sussman and Chris Koras.
Also Read:
‘American Gladiators’ Star Michael Horton on the Sacrifices...
- 6/22/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Amid the pending fate of its co-parent company Vice Media Group, Vice TV is focusing on its latest season of “Dark Side of the Ring,” and Vice Studios-produced projects recently launched on other platforms, including “American Gladiators” on ESPN, “Bama Rush” at Max, and “100 Days to Indy” at the CW network.
It’s also looking to the future, ordering second seasons of “Dark Side of Comedy” and “Sex Before the Internet” and greenlighting new series “Dark Side of the 2000s” for its own cable channel, in addition to moving Vice web series “One Star Reviews” to linear.
As Vice’s president of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, put it, the Vice TV network — which is part owned by A+E Networks — is “very, very busy” right now.
“The parts of the business that I oversee are doing really well,” Hertzan told Variety. “And I have to say, our partners through...
It’s also looking to the future, ordering second seasons of “Dark Side of Comedy” and “Sex Before the Internet” and greenlighting new series “Dark Side of the 2000s” for its own cable channel, in addition to moving Vice web series “One Star Reviews” to linear.
As Vice’s president of global TV, Morgan Hertzan, put it, the Vice TV network — which is part owned by A+E Networks — is “very, very busy” right now.
“The parts of the business that I oversee are doing really well,” Hertzan told Variety. “And I have to say, our partners through...
- 6/12/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The two-part “30 for 30” documentary on the seminal 1990s competition show “American Gladiators” has now concluded, wrapping up an epic saga that cut right to the core of the American Dream.
The documentary dove deep into the largely unknown history of the show, which dominated the TV landscape in its initial run in syndication on US television and around the world. It revealed stories of love, lust, betrayal, friendship, injury, agony, and everything in between from the creators of the show and the Gladiators themselves.
So how did a nearly three-hour doc about a show famous for events like jousting with things that looked like huge cotton swabs and rolling around in giant steel balls called Atlaspheres come together? According to the doc’s director Ben Berman, he was skeptical when initially approached by Vice about the project but changed his mind once he learned more about the story.
The documentary dove deep into the largely unknown history of the show, which dominated the TV landscape in its initial run in syndication on US television and around the world. It revealed stories of love, lust, betrayal, friendship, injury, agony, and everything in between from the creators of the show and the Gladiators themselves.
So how did a nearly three-hour doc about a show famous for events like jousting with things that looked like huge cotton swabs and rolling around in giant steel balls called Atlaspheres come together? According to the doc’s director Ben Berman, he was skeptical when initially approached by Vice about the project but changed his mind once he learned more about the story.
- 6/1/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
We may live in a post-truth world, but most viewers still settle in to watch documentaries with the assumption that what we’re going to be treated to is at least some version of “truth.” Surely, we think, “truth” is what most documentary filmmakers aspire to.
Perhaps owing to a background that’s in comedy — Lady Dynamite, Comedy Bang! Bang! — rather than nonfiction, Ben Berman doesn’t operate on that level. Berman, who made his documentary debut with 2019’s Sundance entry The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, is more interested in the lengths that people go to avoid the truth. He isn’t angry at liars — he’s not Alex Gibney — so much as he is fascinated with the prevarication itself, not always the motivation for it or the reality behind it.
Berman’s new film is ESPN’s two-part The American Gladiators Documentary, which airs under the 30 for 30 banner, even though,...
Perhaps owing to a background that’s in comedy — Lady Dynamite, Comedy Bang! Bang! — rather than nonfiction, Ben Berman doesn’t operate on that level. Berman, who made his documentary debut with 2019’s Sundance entry The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, is more interested in the lengths that people go to avoid the truth. He isn’t angry at liars — he’s not Alex Gibney — so much as he is fascinated with the prevarication itself, not always the motivation for it or the reality behind it.
Berman’s new film is ESPN’s two-part The American Gladiators Documentary, which airs under the 30 for 30 banner, even though,...
- 5/30/2023
- by Daniel Fienberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Johnny Ferraro comes across like a Mafia soldier in witness relocation as a used car salesman, or maybe that one casino employee you really don’t want to mess with. He has a way of looking at the camera like he wants to strangle it, or at least spit on it. But somehow, some way, he musters charm. Ferraro is the creator of the much-mocked, absurdly popular proto-reality-tv competition series American Gladiators. Or is he?
This question lingers over the new two-part ESPN 30 for 30 film The American Gladiators Documentary, whose...
This question lingers over the new two-part ESPN 30 for 30 film The American Gladiators Documentary, whose...
- 5/30/2023
- by Chris Vognar
- Rollingstone.com
How to Watch ‘The American Gladiators Documentary’ Premiere Live on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku & Mobile
The original form of “sports entertainment,” “American Gladiators” is the subject of the next “30 for 30” from ESPN. “The American Gladiators Documentary,” is a two-part film directed by Ben Berman that tells the story of “American Gladiators,” one of the most popular syndicated programs in television history. What begins as a traditional documentary soon gives way to greed, divergent narratives, and ultimately questions how history itself is written. “The American Gladiators Documentary” airs this Tuesday, May 30, at 8:30 p.m. Et and Wednesday, May 31, at 9 p.m. Et on ESPN. You can watch ESPN with a subscription to Sling TV. You can also watch with Directv Stream, Hulu Live TV, Fubo, or YouTube TV..
How to Watch ‘The American Gladiators Documentary’ Premiere When: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:30 Pm Edt TV: ESPN Stream: Watch with a subscription to Sling TV. Get $10 Off$40+ / month sling.com
Limited Time: Get $10 Off Your First Month...
How to Watch ‘The American Gladiators Documentary’ Premiere When: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:30 Pm Edt TV: ESPN Stream: Watch with a subscription to Sling TV. Get $10 Off$40+ / month sling.com
Limited Time: Get $10 Off Your First Month...
- 5/30/2023
- by Jeff Kotuby
- The Streamable
Just because the week is shorter, doesn’t mean that there’s any less stellar programming on the horizon, with new seasons of “I Think You Should Leave,” “Dark Side of the Ring,” “Nancy Drew” and “Painting with John,” plus the series finales of “Barry” and “Succession.” And that’s to say nothing of a ripped-from-the-headlines HBO movie (starring Sydney Sweeney no less), a documentary about the American Gladiators and a LeBron James biopic. A jam-packed week, even with one fewer day!
On with the television!
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“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson”
Tuesday, May 30, Netflix
Netflix
Television’s most deliriously funny series returns. If you’ve never seen “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,” it springs from the deranged mind of star and creator Tim Robinson, who worked as a performer...
On with the television!
Get TheWrap’s TV Watchlist newsletter in your inbox every Friday by signing up here.
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson”
Tuesday, May 30, Netflix
Netflix
Television’s most deliriously funny series returns. If you’ve never seen “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,” it springs from the deranged mind of star and creator Tim Robinson, who worked as a performer...
- 5/27/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Netflix’s Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators documentary series takes an in-depth look at the world of American Gladiators, the competition series that premiered in 1989 and ran through 1996. The series was briefly revived in 2008.
Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators will premiere on June 28, 2023 and, per Netflix, “chronicles the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the ’90s. Told first hand from the stars who lived through it, this five part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame.”
Dan “Nitro” Clark, Debbie “Storm” Clark, Erika “Diamond” Andersch Bunker, Jim “Laser” Kalafat, Lori “Ice” Fetrick, Michael “Gemini” Horton, and Raye “Zap” Olson participated in the five-episode documentary series. Past American Gladiators competitors Shari E “Blaze” Pendleton Mitchell, Shirley “Sky” Eson-Korito, and Steve “Tower” Hennebery...
Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators will premiere on June 28, 2023 and, per Netflix, “chronicles the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and gripping behind-the-scenes stories of one of the biggest spectacles on television during the height of the ’90s. Told first hand from the stars who lived through it, this five part series reveals untold stories of the iconic American Gladiators’ triumph, turmoil, and ultimate price of fame.”
Dan “Nitro” Clark, Debbie “Storm” Clark, Erika “Diamond” Andersch Bunker, Jim “Laser” Kalafat, Lori “Ice” Fetrick, Michael “Gemini” Horton, and Raye “Zap” Olson participated in the five-episode documentary series. Past American Gladiators competitors Shari E “Blaze” Pendleton Mitchell, Shirley “Sky” Eson-Korito, and Steve “Tower” Hennebery...
- 5/23/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
ESPN has released an exclusive clip from a new two-part documentary that will shed light on the behind-the-scenes story of the famed reality competition show “American Gladiators.”
From 1989 to 1996, “American Gladiators” was one of the most popular syndicated programs in television, a competition show that predated the reality TV era but used many of the same techniques to attract viewers. Every week, “amateur” contestants would go up against a cast of “professional” gladiators in a range of physical competitions, setting up David versus Goliath matchups that were popular with big television audiences but also earned considerable criticism for being “crash TV”.
The documentary, which will debut on May 30 and 31 on ESPN and be made available on ESPN+ following its premiere, features original interviews with Johnny Ferraro, Deron McBee (‘Malibu’), Michael Horton (‘Gemini’), Lynn ‘Red’ Williams (‘Sabre’), the late William Billy Smith (‘Thunder’) and Salina Bartunek (‘Elektra’).
“What we were doing consumed us so much.
From 1989 to 1996, “American Gladiators” was one of the most popular syndicated programs in television, a competition show that predated the reality TV era but used many of the same techniques to attract viewers. Every week, “amateur” contestants would go up against a cast of “professional” gladiators in a range of physical competitions, setting up David versus Goliath matchups that were popular with big television audiences but also earned considerable criticism for being “crash TV”.
The documentary, which will debut on May 30 and 31 on ESPN and be made available on ESPN+ following its premiere, features original interviews with Johnny Ferraro, Deron McBee (‘Malibu’), Michael Horton (‘Gemini’), Lynn ‘Red’ Williams (‘Sabre’), the late William Billy Smith (‘Thunder’) and Salina Bartunek (‘Elektra’).
“What we were doing consumed us so much.
- 5/23/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Doctor Who star Bradley Walsh and his son Barney Walsh are to host the BBC’s rebooted Gladiators.
The show, which hasn’t aired in the UK for almost 25 years, is coming back later this year along with another rebooted show, Survivors, on the BBC.
Bradley Walsh, who also hosts ITV’s The Chase and the BBC’s rebooted Blankety Blank, will take the reins alongside son Barney Walsh. The pair have hosted ITV’s successful documentary format Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad, in which they travel around the world.
Bradley Walsh’s wife Donna Walsh was head choreographer for the original Gladiators cheerleaders and Bradley Walsh also competed in a ‘Celebrities vs Jockeys’ special in 1997.
In the rebooted Gladiators, which is produced by Hungry Bear and MGM Television UK, a new generation of superhuman Gladiators will compete against contenders in a test of speed and strength. Brand new games...
The show, which hasn’t aired in the UK for almost 25 years, is coming back later this year along with another rebooted show, Survivors, on the BBC.
Bradley Walsh, who also hosts ITV’s The Chase and the BBC’s rebooted Blankety Blank, will take the reins alongside son Barney Walsh. The pair have hosted ITV’s successful documentary format Bradley & Barney Walsh: Breaking Dad, in which they travel around the world.
Bradley Walsh’s wife Donna Walsh was head choreographer for the original Gladiators cheerleaders and Bradley Walsh also competed in a ‘Celebrities vs Jockeys’ special in 1997.
In the rebooted Gladiators, which is produced by Hungry Bear and MGM Television UK, a new generation of superhuman Gladiators will compete against contenders in a test of speed and strength. Brand new games...
- 5/3/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness expert, cooking enthusiast, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand and mother of two toddler-aged children. In addition to her latest work as a cast member of NBC’s highly touted reality program “Stars Earn Stripes” where she competed to raise money for a charity that supports veterans and their children, Laila is currently the host of “Everyday Health” airing nationwide on ABC, and former co-host of “American Gladiators.” Laila also authored and published a motivational book for young women titled “Reach!”. She has appeared in various cooking segments on Rachael Ray, as well as Food Network’s “Emeril,” “Paula Dean” and “Chopped All-Stars” with tasty recipes geared towards a healthy, active lifestyle. In 2007 she captured the hearts of millions and made it to the final round of the fourth season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” She’s also appeared...
- 3/10/2023
- Look to the Stars
Kiara Pichardo, Maria Teresa Dizzia, and Spencer Macpherson in ‘School Spirits’ episode 3 (Photo Cr: Paramount + © 2022 Viacom International Inc)
Mr. Anderson’s stalking behavior places him on the suspect list as Paramount+’s School Spirits episode three begins. He refuses to tell Simon (Kristian Flores) why he was lurking in the auto shop, and Simon’s spidey sense is tingling like crazy.
Maddie (Peyton List), on the other hand, refuses to consider Mr. Anderson a suspect. He bent over backward to help her out when she was alive and seemed to genuinely care about her, not just as a teacher but as a human being.
Angry mom Sandra heads to Sheriff Baxter’s house and demands to know why he’s called off the searches and only has one deputy assigned to Maddie’s case. She believes it’s because he’s worried about his upcoming election.
Xavier (Spencer Macpherson...
Mr. Anderson’s stalking behavior places him on the suspect list as Paramount+’s School Spirits episode three begins. He refuses to tell Simon (Kristian Flores) why he was lurking in the auto shop, and Simon’s spidey sense is tingling like crazy.
Maddie (Peyton List), on the other hand, refuses to consider Mr. Anderson a suspect. He bent over backward to help her out when she was alive and seemed to genuinely care about her, not just as a teacher but as a human being.
Angry mom Sandra heads to Sheriff Baxter’s house and demands to know why he’s called off the searches and only has one deputy assigned to Maddie’s case. She believes it’s because he’s worried about his upcoming election.
Xavier (Spencer Macpherson...
- 3/9/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Exclusive: Nancy Dubuc is leaving Vice Media Group where she was CEO for the past five years. She just announced her decision to her staff in a memo (you can read it below.) It comes as the board has launched a process to sell — an acquisition of the whole company, a strategic recapitalization, or other transactions involving individual assets — under the oversight of a Special Board Committee. According to sources, Dubuc was at the end of her contract and decided it was time to move on.
“Nancy joined Vice at a pivotal time and put in place an exceptional team that has positioned the company for long-term success,” the company’s board of directors said in a statement. “We thank Nancy for her many contributions and will soon announce new leadership to guide Vice forward into its next stage of growth and transformation.”
Dubuc, who had been on the Vice...
“Nancy joined Vice at a pivotal time and put in place an exceptional team that has positioned the company for long-term success,” the company’s board of directors said in a statement. “We thank Nancy for her many contributions and will soon announce new leadership to guide Vice forward into its next stage of growth and transformation.”
Dubuc, who had been on the Vice...
- 2/24/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Vice Studios global president Kate Ward is joining BBC Studios to oversee its factual portfolio, Variety can reveal.
Ward has been appointed to the role of managing director for factual at BBC Studios Productions, where she replaces Tom McDonald, who left the company earlier this year to join National Geographic.
With her new role, the well-respected executive — who most recently served as president of global studios and Pulse Films for Vice Media Group — will take on one of the most significant production portfolios in the U.K. industry, spanning the BBC’s Natural History Unit, Documentary Unit and Science Unit. She will also oversee relationships with BBC Studios’ roster of production companies, including Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions, David Olusoga’s Uplands TV and James and Soleta Rogan’s Rogan Productions.
Ward, who starts the role in February 2023, reports into Ralph Lee, CEO of BBC Studios Productions.
The Bbcs managing...
Ward has been appointed to the role of managing director for factual at BBC Studios Productions, where she replaces Tom McDonald, who left the company earlier this year to join National Geographic.
With her new role, the well-respected executive — who most recently served as president of global studios and Pulse Films for Vice Media Group — will take on one of the most significant production portfolios in the U.K. industry, spanning the BBC’s Natural History Unit, Documentary Unit and Science Unit. She will also oversee relationships with BBC Studios’ roster of production companies, including Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions, David Olusoga’s Uplands TV and James and Soleta Rogan’s Rogan Productions.
Ward, who starts the role in February 2023, reports into Ralph Lee, CEO of BBC Studios Productions.
The Bbcs managing...
- 9/22/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
UK Saturday night television in the 1990s cannibalised its own audience, relying on them not merely to watch its entertainment, but also to be the entertainment. It was all good, harmless fun, and none of it placed particularly great demands on the contestants or the audiences from which they were plucked. Blind Date invited us to trade cheesy chat-up lines with strangers, and sometimes go on holiday with people we didn’t like. Noel Edmonds wanted to secretly monitor us in our homes, and then pour gunge on us. But then came Gladiators, and by golly it wasn’t interested in giving us an easy ride.
Each week, Gladiators pitted members of the public against the eponymous gladiators: a coterie of contoured, chiselled athletes and bicep-bulging body-builders with fearsome names like Hunter, Lightning, and Warrior. Two male and two female contestants competed against the gladiators, and each other, across a series of six gruelling games,...
Each week, Gladiators pitted members of the public against the eponymous gladiators: a coterie of contoured, chiselled athletes and bicep-bulging body-builders with fearsome names like Hunter, Lightning, and Warrior. Two male and two female contestants competed against the gladiators, and each other, across a series of six gruelling games,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Click here to read the full article.
Reality hit show Survivor, “one of the world’s most successful TV formats,” is set for a British reboot on the BBC, the public broadcaster said Monday.
“A new U.K. adaption of the entertainment phenomenon has been commissioned by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Banijay U.K. company Remarkable Entertainment, run by leading entertainment producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe,” the broadcaster unveiled.
The 16-episode season “promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor,” the BBC said in summarizing the format’s tried and tested formula. “Twenty people, carefully selected from across the U.K. will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of...
Reality hit show Survivor, “one of the world’s most successful TV formats,” is set for a British reboot on the BBC, the public broadcaster said Monday.
“A new U.K. adaption of the entertainment phenomenon has been commissioned by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Banijay U.K. company Remarkable Entertainment, run by leading entertainment producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe,” the broadcaster unveiled.
The 16-episode season “promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor,” the BBC said in summarizing the format’s tried and tested formula. “Twenty people, carefully selected from across the U.K. will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of...
- 9/5/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A “Gladiators” revival is heading to BBC One next year.
The competition series is returning with an eleven episode series produced by MGM Television UK and Hungry Bear Media, and will focus on “a brand new generation of superhumans who will compete against contestants in the ultimate test of speed and strength.”
Per BBC One, this new iteration of “Gladiators” will incorporate fresh games alongside classic challenges, culminating at the end of each installment with the iconic “The Eliminator” event.
Filming will take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in 2023. Additional information about the series, including broadcast details, will be announced at a later date.
It’s notable that “Gladiators” is being revived internationally by MGM while the studio is in a state of limbo under new parent company Amazon, and at the same time as MGM is still trying to get a reboot off the ground stateside for “American Gladiators,...
The competition series is returning with an eleven episode series produced by MGM Television UK and Hungry Bear Media, and will focus on “a brand new generation of superhumans who will compete against contestants in the ultimate test of speed and strength.”
Per BBC One, this new iteration of “Gladiators” will incorporate fresh games alongside classic challenges, culminating at the end of each installment with the iconic “The Eliminator” event.
Filming will take place at the Utilita Arena Sheffield in 2023. Additional information about the series, including broadcast details, will be announced at a later date.
It’s notable that “Gladiators” is being revived internationally by MGM while the studio is in a state of limbo under new parent company Amazon, and at the same time as MGM is still trying to get a reboot off the ground stateside for “American Gladiators,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Blue Planet III and Gladiators are coming to the BBC. The Junior Eurovision Song Contest will also air on the network for the first time.
The Sir David Attenborough-presented landmark was revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival this afternoon by BBC commissioners, described as “using the very latest in underwater filming techniques to reveal brand new and untold stories from magical underwater worlds.”
The show from the prestigious BBC Studios Natural History Unit will take on the legacy of 2017’s Blue Planet II, which led to a sea change in plastics pollution and the perception of life in our oceans. Blue Planet II was one of the most-viewed BBC shows of the decade, coming a few years after the first Blue Planet.
The third series will focus on the five major underwater habitats: the Tropical Seas; Temperate Seas; Polar Seas; High Seas; and Deep Seas, while the sixth episode...
The Sir David Attenborough-presented landmark was revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival this afternoon by BBC commissioners, described as “using the very latest in underwater filming techniques to reveal brand new and untold stories from magical underwater worlds.”
The show from the prestigious BBC Studios Natural History Unit will take on the legacy of 2017’s Blue Planet II, which led to a sea change in plastics pollution and the perception of life in our oceans. Blue Planet II was one of the most-viewed BBC shows of the decade, coming a few years after the first Blue Planet.
The third series will focus on the five major underwater habitats: the Tropical Seas; Temperate Seas; Polar Seas; High Seas; and Deep Seas, while the sixth episode...
- 8/25/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Contenders ready!
Gladiators, the U.K version of American Gladiators and a show that became a staple of British Saturday night TV in the 1990s, is getting a reboot.
Confirming rumors that emerged last month, the BBC has revealed it is the new home for the spandex-friendly, muscle-flexing entertainment show, which originally ran on ITV from October 1992 to January 2000 (Sky had a short-lived revival that lasted just a year between 2008 and 2009).
The eleven-episode series — made by Hungry Bear Media (behind BBC game show Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel) and MGM Television U.K. (part of the Amazon-owned MGM, which owns American Gladiators) — is set to land on screens in 2023 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with brand new games alongside some of the original classic challenges, culminating in the classic head-to-head race, The Eliminator.
“Gladiators is back and a whole new generation of...
Contenders ready!
Gladiators, the U.K version of American Gladiators and a show that became a staple of British Saturday night TV in the 1990s, is getting a reboot.
Confirming rumors that emerged last month, the BBC has revealed it is the new home for the spandex-friendly, muscle-flexing entertainment show, which originally ran on ITV from October 1992 to January 2000 (Sky had a short-lived revival that lasted just a year between 2008 and 2009).
The eleven-episode series — made by Hungry Bear Media (behind BBC game show Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel) and MGM Television U.K. (part of the Amazon-owned MGM, which owns American Gladiators) — is set to land on screens in 2023 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with brand new games alongside some of the original classic challenges, culminating in the classic head-to-head race, The Eliminator.
“Gladiators is back and a whole new generation of...
- 8/25/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC plans to bring back one of Britain’s biggest shows of the 1990s, with the broadcaster reported to be in talks with rights holders MGM Studios to relaunch the very physical game-show Gladiators.
Broadcast Magazine had the scoop that, three decades after professionals with unlikely but catchy names like Blaze, Falcon and Wolf took on contestants in a series of muscle-flexing challenges, the BBC hopes to bring the show back by next year, say insiders, who report that a set of new professionals has been selected and filming will take place in Sheffield, northern England.
The BBC is currently keeping quiet on its plans for the show, but Broadcast Magazine cited a source who told them, “It’s exactly the kind of Saturday night family entertainment show that BBC One needs.”
While Strictly Come Dancing continues to bring in big Saturday evening audiences for the BBC, ITV has...
Broadcast Magazine had the scoop that, three decades after professionals with unlikely but catchy names like Blaze, Falcon and Wolf took on contestants in a series of muscle-flexing challenges, the BBC hopes to bring the show back by next year, say insiders, who report that a set of new professionals has been selected and filming will take place in Sheffield, northern England.
The BBC is currently keeping quiet on its plans for the show, but Broadcast Magazine cited a source who told them, “It’s exactly the kind of Saturday night family entertainment show that BBC One needs.”
While Strictly Come Dancing continues to bring in big Saturday evening audiences for the BBC, ITV has...
- 7/30/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Director Tony Vainuku has signed with M88.
Vainuku became an Emmy award-winning director in 2017 for his feature-length documentary In Football We Trust. The cautionary sports doc, which bowed at Sundance, focused on the impact that football has on the emerging Polynesian community in the United States.
The Polynesian-American filmmaker also directed the two-part finale for Netflix’s Untold documentary series executive produced by the Way Brothers and set for a release next month. The finale chronicles the catfishing hoax that led to Heisman trophy finalist Manti Te’o’s fall from stardom.
Vainuku is also directing the docuseries American Gladiators with Campfire Films, and will helm and showrun a docuseries for Scott Budnick’s One Community.
In addition, he is developing a narrative series based on the life of Junior Seau. The life of the Samoan NFL star from Oceanside, California came to a...
Director Tony Vainuku has signed with M88.
Vainuku became an Emmy award-winning director in 2017 for his feature-length documentary In Football We Trust. The cautionary sports doc, which bowed at Sundance, focused on the impact that football has on the emerging Polynesian community in the United States.
The Polynesian-American filmmaker also directed the two-part finale for Netflix’s Untold documentary series executive produced by the Way Brothers and set for a release next month. The finale chronicles the catfishing hoax that led to Heisman trophy finalist Manti Te’o’s fall from stardom.
Vainuku is also directing the docuseries American Gladiators with Campfire Films, and will helm and showrun a docuseries for Scott Budnick’s One Community.
In addition, he is developing a narrative series based on the life of Junior Seau. The life of the Samoan NFL star from Oceanside, California came to a...
- 7/15/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If you've been craving that old familiar feeling of staying home sick and watching reruns of game shows in the middle of the afternoon, the free streaming app PlutoTV is about to deliver the ultimate gift. Now, I am well versed in the ways of PlutoTV, spending countless hours cheering for roided out slabs of 1980s tanned meat while binging "American Gladiators," and screaming at sweater-clad suburbanites from the early 1990s who can't answer grocery store riddles on "Supermarket Sweep." PlutoTV has always had our back, filling nostalgia voids we didn't know we had, and having 24/7...
The post PlutoTV Grabs the Daily Double and Buys a Vowel with 24/7 Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune Channels appeared first on /Film.
The post PlutoTV Grabs the Daily Double and Buys a Vowel with 24/7 Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune Channels appeared first on /Film.
- 7/12/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)
The Series: American Gladiators (1989-1996)
Where You Can Watch It: PlutoTV
The Pitch: The original run of "American Gladiators" featured four local heroes (two men and two women) who compete in a variety of games to test their strength, speed, and agility while attempting to overcome the rigorous gaming battlefield. These contenders are not only competing against one another, but they are also forced to compete against...
The post The Daily Stream: American Gladiators is a Glorious Display of Big Muscles, Big Hair, and Bigger Body Slams appeared first on /Film.
The Series: American Gladiators (1989-1996)
Where You Can Watch It: PlutoTV
The Pitch: The original run of "American Gladiators" featured four local heroes (two men and two women) who compete in a variety of games to test their strength, speed, and agility while attempting to overcome the rigorous gaming battlefield. These contenders are not only competing against one another, but they are also forced to compete against...
The post The Daily Stream: American Gladiators is a Glorious Display of Big Muscles, Big Hair, and Bigger Body Slams appeared first on /Film.
- 4/21/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
ViacomCBS announced a deal to sell L.A.’s CBS Studio Center to two investment firms for $1.85 billion, the latest in a series of real-estate divestitures for the company.
The media conglomerate had confirmed that it was looking to sell CBS Studio Center, which sits on a 55-acre site in Studio City, this summer. The CBS Studio Center property and its associated operating business is being acquired by a partnership formed by Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital Management. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year, subject to usual closing conditions including regulatory approval.
CBS Studio Center comprises more than 1 million square feet of space, including 22 stages, production office and support buildings, third-party tenant offices, a purpose-built broadcast center and filmable backlot locations.
The deal to sell CBS Studio Center comes after ViacomCBS in July sold CBS’s New York headquarters, the Black Rock skyscraper,...
The media conglomerate had confirmed that it was looking to sell CBS Studio Center, which sits on a 55-acre site in Studio City, this summer. The CBS Studio Center property and its associated operating business is being acquired by a partnership formed by Hackman Capital Partners and Square Mile Capital Management. The deal is expected to close before the end of the year, subject to usual closing conditions including regulatory approval.
CBS Studio Center comprises more than 1 million square feet of space, including 22 stages, production office and support buildings, third-party tenant offices, a purpose-built broadcast center and filmable backlot locations.
The deal to sell CBS Studio Center comes after ViacomCBS in July sold CBS’s New York headquarters, the Black Rock skyscraper,...
- 11/30/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Major League Soccer (Mls) is one of the fastest growing sports leagues in the U.S. and it’s now getting its own reality TV treatment.
Mark Burnett and MGM Television have teamed up with the booming soccer league and its newest expansion team Charlotte Fc for reality competition series Welcome To The Team (w/t).
The project, currently in development, will shine a spotlight into the journey of a group of players from around the globe as they compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the team, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of its debut season in 2022.
Charlotte Fc is owned by David Tepper and is part of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which also includes Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers.
The team will include players such as Premier League Champion and former Leicester City player Christian Fuchs, Spanish midfielder Sergio Ruiz, Polish defender Jan Sobocinski,...
Mark Burnett and MGM Television have teamed up with the booming soccer league and its newest expansion team Charlotte Fc for reality competition series Welcome To The Team (w/t).
The project, currently in development, will shine a spotlight into the journey of a group of players from around the globe as they compete for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the team, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of its debut season in 2022.
Charlotte Fc is owned by David Tepper and is part of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, which also includes Bank of America Stadium and the Carolina Panthers.
The team will include players such as Premier League Champion and former Leicester City player Christian Fuchs, Spanish midfielder Sergio Ruiz, Polish defender Jan Sobocinski,...
- 10/6/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Several more residents are entering the House of the Dragon, including an Outlander alum and a Fleabag vet.
HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series has added the following actors to its ensemble: Ryan Corr (Wakefield) as Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong; Jefferson Hall (Devs) as Lord Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister; David Horovitch (Doctors) as Grand Maester Mellos; Matthew Needham (Sandition) as Larys Strong; Bill Paterson (Fleabag) as Lord Lyman Beesbury; Gavin Spokes (Will) as Lord Lyonel Strong; and as previously reported, Graham McTavish (Outlander) as Ser Harrold Westerling.
More from TVLineIs NCIS: Hawai'i HQ Oddly Drab? What Did Ted Lasso Whisper?...
HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series has added the following actors to its ensemble: Ryan Corr (Wakefield) as Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong; Jefferson Hall (Devs) as Lord Jason Lannister and Tyland Lannister; David Horovitch (Doctors) as Grand Maester Mellos; Matthew Needham (Sandition) as Larys Strong; Bill Paterson (Fleabag) as Lord Lyman Beesbury; Gavin Spokes (Will) as Lord Lyonel Strong; and as previously reported, Graham McTavish (Outlander) as Ser Harrold Westerling.
More from TVLineIs NCIS: Hawai'i HQ Oddly Drab? What Did Ted Lasso Whisper?...
- 9/24/2021
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: American Gladiators, the classic competition series that originally premiered in 1989, is taking another shot at the obstacle course.
Deadline understands that MGM has teamed with WWE for a reimagined version of the non-scripted series that will feature a slew of WWE wrestling superstars.
Mark Burnett and his team are currently pitching the rebooted series, which is based on the format created by Johnny Ferraro and Dan Carr, to broadcasters and platforms.
It seems like good timing for the Hollywood studio and Vince McMahon’s wrestling federation given the success of physical competition series in the non-scripted space from American Ninja Warrior to Floor Is Lava and Holey Moley, as well as the growing focus on WWE with Netflix’s interactive film Escape the Undertaker and a documentary series about McMahon from Bill Simmons as well as Blumhouse TV scripted series The United States of America Vs. Vince McMahon in the works.
Deadline understands that MGM has teamed with WWE for a reimagined version of the non-scripted series that will feature a slew of WWE wrestling superstars.
Mark Burnett and his team are currently pitching the rebooted series, which is based on the format created by Johnny Ferraro and Dan Carr, to broadcasters and platforms.
It seems like good timing for the Hollywood studio and Vince McMahon’s wrestling federation given the success of physical competition series in the non-scripted space from American Ninja Warrior to Floor Is Lava and Holey Moley, as well as the growing focus on WWE with Netflix’s interactive film Escape the Undertaker and a documentary series about McMahon from Bill Simmons as well as Blumhouse TV scripted series The United States of America Vs. Vince McMahon in the works.
- 9/24/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Terry Crews is the epitome of the Hollywood dream.
When he and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, moved to Los Angeles in 1997, Crews had a job sweeping floors at a factory. But they would walk along Hollywood Boulevard, looking at the famous names embedded in stars on the concrete, and still marvel at how far they’d come.
“We were like, ‘Can you believe it?’” Crews recalls. “When you’re from the Midwest, Hollywood was as far away as Mars. I just knew I was going to be in business somehow — I didn’t know it would be acting — but I knew I was going to be in it.”
Now, Crews is set to truly be a part of it when his own name will be emblazoned on a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. July 30, which also happens to be his 53rd birthday.
When he and his wife, Rebecca King-Crews, moved to Los Angeles in 1997, Crews had a job sweeping floors at a factory. But they would walk along Hollywood Boulevard, looking at the famous names embedded in stars on the concrete, and still marvel at how far they’d come.
“We were like, ‘Can you believe it?’” Crews recalls. “When you’re from the Midwest, Hollywood was as far away as Mars. I just knew I was going to be in business somehow — I didn’t know it would be acting — but I knew I was going to be in it.”
Now, Crews is set to truly be a part of it when his own name will be emblazoned on a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. July 30, which also happens to be his 53rd birthday.
- 7/30/2021
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon is weeks into negotiations on a deal to acquire MGM for about $9 billion, industry sources tell Variety.
Chatter that Amazon (and other tech and media giants) have been sniffing around MGM has circulated for some time. But sources indicated that Amazon’s interest in acquiring the studio has taken on a new tenor beyond the usual rumor mill. The deal is said to be being orchestrated by Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video, directly with MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich, whose Anchorage Capital is a major MGM shareholder.
Reps for Amazon and MGM declined to comment.
MGM had already effectively nailed up a “for sale” sign: Variety confirmed in December that the company was looking for a buyer.
News of Amazon’s talks with MGM began to swirl this weekend. The Information reported Monday that Amazon was in talks about a potential deal for MGM,...
Chatter that Amazon (and other tech and media giants) have been sniffing around MGM has circulated for some time. But sources indicated that Amazon’s interest in acquiring the studio has taken on a new tenor beyond the usual rumor mill. The deal is said to be being orchestrated by Mike Hopkins, senior VP of Amazon Studios and Prime Video, directly with MGM board chairman Kevin Ulrich, whose Anchorage Capital is a major MGM shareholder.
Reps for Amazon and MGM declined to comment.
MGM had already effectively nailed up a “for sale” sign: Variety confirmed in December that the company was looking for a buyer.
News of Amazon’s talks with MGM began to swirl this weekend. The Information reported Monday that Amazon was in talks about a potential deal for MGM,...
- 5/17/2021
- by Todd Spangler, Joe Otterson and Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
TV super-producer Nigel Lythgoe is partnering with Triller Fight Club on a new unscripted competition series called “So You Think You Can Fight,” Variety has learned exclusively.
“So You Think You Can Fight” will follow in a similar format to “So You Think You Can Dance.” The weekly, hour-long series will pair a celebrity action star with a pro fighter, each who will select an amateur boxer through a global talent search and competition, along with audience voting and participation. The selected contestants will each go through rigorous mental and physical training, squaring off against each other with one winner for each category — lightweight, heavyweight and Mma. Each winner will go on to a pro bout on a Triller Fight Club main event that will launch their pro boxing career.
The show is expected to launch later this year on Triller’s new live streaming platform Triller Verzuz TV, which...
“So You Think You Can Fight” will follow in a similar format to “So You Think You Can Dance.” The weekly, hour-long series will pair a celebrity action star with a pro fighter, each who will select an amateur boxer through a global talent search and competition, along with audience voting and participation. The selected contestants will each go through rigorous mental and physical training, squaring off against each other with one winner for each category — lightweight, heavyweight and Mma. Each winner will go on to a pro bout on a Triller Fight Club main event that will launch their pro boxing career.
The show is expected to launch later this year on Triller’s new live streaming platform Triller Verzuz TV, which...
- 5/13/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Dick Cook Studios (Dcs) has acquired the motion picture and television rights to Charles Wachter’s debut novel “The Twin Paradox,” Variety has learned exclusively.
“’The Twin Paradox’ is hands-down the best science thriller I have read,” Dcs chairman Dick Cook said. “Charles is not only a great producer and terrific person; he is an innovative and visionary storyteller who has come up with a brilliant edge-of-your-seat concept with twists and turns at every corner. Dcs couldn’t be more excited to work with Charles and share this remarkable story with audiences across the globe.
Wachter an Emmy-winning television writer and executive producer. In addition to writing novels, he has produced and created over thirty television series, most recently writing and show running ABC’s “Holey Moley” and “The Celebrity Dating Game.” His other credits include “Fear Factor,” “Planet of the Apps,” and “American Gladiators.” He is currently working on a sequel book,...
“’The Twin Paradox’ is hands-down the best science thriller I have read,” Dcs chairman Dick Cook said. “Charles is not only a great producer and terrific person; he is an innovative and visionary storyteller who has come up with a brilliant edge-of-your-seat concept with twists and turns at every corner. Dcs couldn’t be more excited to work with Charles and share this remarkable story with audiences across the globe.
Wachter an Emmy-winning television writer and executive producer. In addition to writing novels, he has produced and created over thirty television series, most recently writing and show running ABC’s “Holey Moley” and “The Celebrity Dating Game.” His other credits include “Fear Factor,” “Planet of the Apps,” and “American Gladiators.” He is currently working on a sequel book,...
- 4/27/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: A documentary about American Gladiators, widely considered one of the first reality competition series, is set as ESPN’s latest 30 for 30.
Deadline understands that the untitled documentary, which explores the story of the show, which ran from 1989 to 1996 and was later rebooted by NBC in 2008, comes from Vice Studios and ESPN Films.
The project will feature many of the larger than life former Gladiators, as well as Johnny Ferraro, who has been referred to as ‘the Godfather of reality television.”
The show, which aired in syndication was created by Ferraro and Dan Carr, matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other as well as against the show’s gladiators.
Ben Berman, who directed The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, which followed the final tour of a dying magician and aired at Sundance in 2019, will helm the doc.
It is ESPN’s latest 30 for 30; the 2019/2020 season of the long-running sports doc...
Deadline understands that the untitled documentary, which explores the story of the show, which ran from 1989 to 1996 and was later rebooted by NBC in 2008, comes from Vice Studios and ESPN Films.
The project will feature many of the larger than life former Gladiators, as well as Johnny Ferraro, who has been referred to as ‘the Godfather of reality television.”
The show, which aired in syndication was created by Ferraro and Dan Carr, matched a cast of amateur athletes against each other as well as against the show’s gladiators.
Ben Berman, who directed The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, which followed the final tour of a dying magician and aired at Sundance in 2019, will helm the doc.
It is ESPN’s latest 30 for 30; the 2019/2020 season of the long-running sports doc...
- 4/12/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
On February 10, actress Gina Carano was fired by LucasFilm due to a repeated series of offensive comments made by her on social media. Carano is best known for starring in the 2008 revival of American Gladiators and appearing in several popular films such as Fast & Furious 6, Haywire and Deadpool. The actress is […]
The post ‘The Mandalorian’ Star Gina Carano Fired By LucasFilm For Offensive Comments On Social Media appeared first on uInterview.
The post ‘The Mandalorian’ Star Gina Carano Fired By LucasFilm For Offensive Comments On Social Media appeared first on uInterview.
- 2/11/2021
- by Adam Grunther
- Uinterview
The Titan Games topped another pre-summer Monday last night, holding steady at a 0.8 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic and 3.90 million viewers. The extreme American Gladiators-adjacent athletic reality competition was followed on the network by The Wall and Songland which both ticked down a tenth in the demo with their new episodes. The trio led NBC to the nightly victory in that metric.
ABC’s programming real estate was occupied by the debut of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!. Based on ratings standards delivered by The Bachelor franchise, the numbers are quite low for the kickoff of the 10-episode retrospective.
The CW followed a Whose Line Is It Anyway? repeat with a fresh episode of Roswell, New Mexico, which dropped in the demo.
CBS aired repeats of The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola, All Rise and Bull, which led the network to an overall victory in total viewers.
ABC’s programming real estate was occupied by the debut of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!. Based on ratings standards delivered by The Bachelor franchise, the numbers are quite low for the kickoff of the 10-episode retrospective.
The CW followed a Whose Line Is It Anyway? repeat with a fresh episode of Roswell, New Mexico, which dropped in the demo.
CBS aired repeats of The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola, All Rise and Bull, which led the network to an overall victory in total viewers.
- 6/9/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s “The Titan Games” debuts its second season Monday, an installment that features former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz among the six pro-athlete competitors that the show’s “everyday” contestants go head-to-head with in hopes of winning the “Titan Champion” title and a $100,000 prize.
Fans could smell the new level of intensity The Rock was cooking up for Season 2 of his NBC competition series when he announced the addition of elite athletes — including Cruz, Claressa Shields, Joe Thomas, Cruz, Hannah Teter, Jessie Graff and Tyron Woodley — as an obstacle for “The Titan Games'” amateur contestants. And if the everyday people vs. pros aspect, a pro-wrestling legend as host, and a humongous set piece for the final challenge made you draw a comparison between The Rock’s series and the network’s short-lived Hulk Hogan-hosted “American Gladiators” reboot, Cruz is here to vouch for how different the two are.
Fans could smell the new level of intensity The Rock was cooking up for Season 2 of his NBC competition series when he announced the addition of elite athletes — including Cruz, Claressa Shields, Joe Thomas, Cruz, Hannah Teter, Jessie Graff and Tyron Woodley — as an obstacle for “The Titan Games'” amateur contestants. And if the everyday people vs. pros aspect, a pro-wrestling legend as host, and a humongous set piece for the final challenge made you draw a comparison between The Rock’s series and the network’s short-lived Hulk Hogan-hosted “American Gladiators” reboot, Cruz is here to vouch for how different the two are.
- 5/25/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Longtime Access Hollywood producer and Access Live creator Rob Silverstein has been tapped as Executive Producer/Showrunner of Meredith Corp.’s new new daily, syndicated half-hour TV show based on the content of the People magazine brand. Silverstein will oversee all aspects of the new program, which will launch in Meredith’s local television markets in fall 2020. He will report to Gary Brown, Senior Vice President of Content for the Meredith Local Media Group. His position is effective immediately.
“Rob is a Hollywood insider and veteran TV producer. He led Access Hollywood for two decades, created and launched Access Live, and produced several Emmy and Golden Globes red carpet specials,” said Brown. “We are thrilled to have someone with Rob’s breadth of experience in this new venture into syndicated programming.”
The half-hour TV program will be inspired by the iconic brand’s combination of celebrity and inspirational human-interest stories including entertainment news,...
“Rob is a Hollywood insider and veteran TV producer. He led Access Hollywood for two decades, created and launched Access Live, and produced several Emmy and Golden Globes red carpet specials,” said Brown. “We are thrilled to have someone with Rob’s breadth of experience in this new venture into syndicated programming.”
The half-hour TV program will be inspired by the iconic brand’s combination of celebrity and inspirational human-interest stories including entertainment news,...
- 5/19/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Ron Ziskin, who produced the competition program American Gladiators, morning TV shows hosted by Maury Povich and Regis Philbin and films including the William H. Macy-starring Stealing Sinatra, has died. He was 69.
Ziskin died Saturday in Las Vegas of complications of vascular disease, his wife of 38 years, journalist Diane Wedner, said.
Ziskin also executive produced such telefilms as 1998's Futuresport, starring Wesley Snipes, Dean Cain and Vanessa Williams, and 2004's The Goodbye Girl, a remake of the Neil Simon hit starring Jeff Daniels, as well as Hunting the Lost Symbol, a 2009 documentary based on the Dan Brown best-seller The Lost ...
Ziskin died Saturday in Las Vegas of complications of vascular disease, his wife of 38 years, journalist Diane Wedner, said.
Ziskin also executive produced such telefilms as 1998's Futuresport, starring Wesley Snipes, Dean Cain and Vanessa Williams, and 2004's The Goodbye Girl, a remake of the Neil Simon hit starring Jeff Daniels, as well as Hunting the Lost Symbol, a 2009 documentary based on the Dan Brown best-seller The Lost ...
- 5/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ron Ziskin, who produced the competition program American Gladiators, morning TV shows hosted by Maury Povich and Regis Philbin and films including the William H. Macy-starring Stealing Sinatra, has died. He was 69.
Ziskin died Saturday in Las Vegas of complications of vascular disease, his wife of 38 years, journalist Diane Wedner, said.
Ziskin also executive produced such telefilms as 1998's Futuresport, starring Wesley Snipes, Dean Cain and Vanessa Williams, and 2004's The Goodbye Girl, a remake of the Neil Simon hit starring Jeff Daniels, as well as Hunting the Lost Symbol, a 2009 documentary based on the Dan Brown best-seller The Lost ...
Ziskin died Saturday in Las Vegas of complications of vascular disease, his wife of 38 years, journalist Diane Wedner, said.
Ziskin also executive produced such telefilms as 1998's Futuresport, starring Wesley Snipes, Dean Cain and Vanessa Williams, and 2004's The Goodbye Girl, a remake of the Neil Simon hit starring Jeff Daniels, as well as Hunting the Lost Symbol, a 2009 documentary based on the Dan Brown best-seller The Lost ...
- 5/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
An essential documentary for video game fanatics of a certain age (and perhaps only for that demographic), Insert Coin is a comprehensive look at Williams-Bally-Midway, best known for their over-the-top arcade games like Mortal Kombat, Rampage, and Narc. Director Joshua Tsui enjoys access to the talent that had been at the Chicago firm and created groundbreaking bitmap designs using early motion-capture techniques to add a certain realism in 2D gaming. While the film is a rather in-depth exploration of the personalities at the company, from the executives to designers (along with a few fans including Ready Player One author Ernest Cline), it seems laser-like in its focus on the timeline. One wishes it offered a few more viewpoints along the way with more archival footage to flesh out the cultural landscape beyond the arcade. We’re told early on in an energetic title sequence that Williams was the punk rock...
- 3/22/2020
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
That’s not a bad question really, but it’s one that might have a few different answers. For one, the original story didn’t make it onto the screen if anyone’s keeping track. The Running Man, which was written by Stephen King as Richard Bachman, featured a very different story that wasn’t anything like a psychotic, American Gladiators death match. But the movie we did get wasn’t too horrible for the time despite some of the cheesy dialogue and a couple of the characters. Considering the quality of movies we’re getting today it could work to be fair since the characters that
How Has “The Running Man’ Not Been Rebooted Yet?...
How Has “The Running Man’ Not Been Rebooted Yet?...
- 3/5/2020
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
During Wednesday’s episode of “The Masked Singer” Season 2, Laila Ali — Not Homer Simpson — was revealed to be hiding behind the Panda mask. This undefeated boxing champion faced off against Flamingo in the initial vote and Leopard in the Smackdown, losing both head-to-head match-ups on Fox’s wild and wacky reality show. In her “The Masked Singer” exit interview, the famed daughter of Muhammad Ali proclaimed, “I was a ball of nerves out there, but it was so much fun.” Watch the video above.
SEENinja revealed as ‘The Masked Singer’ Ice Cream: ‘I overcame one of the craziest fears that I’ve ever had’ [Watch]
“This entire experience has been amazing,” Laila declared. Of course, she’s no stranger to reality TV, having hosed the revival of “American Gladiators” and appeared on “Celebrity Apprentice.” That’s why it’s a surprise none of the panelists — Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy...
SEENinja revealed as ‘The Masked Singer’ Ice Cream: ‘I overcame one of the craziest fears that I’ve ever had’ [Watch]
“This entire experience has been amazing,” Laila declared. Of course, she’s no stranger to reality TV, having hosed the revival of “American Gladiators” and appeared on “Celebrity Apprentice.” That’s why it’s a surprise none of the panelists — Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy...
- 10/3/2019
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Rob Silverstein, exec producer of NBC’s entertainment newsmagazine “Access Hollywood” and its spinoffs, is leaving the syndication franchise after 20 years at the helm. He’ll be replaced by “Hot Bench” alumnus Maureen FitzPatrick.
Silverstein’s departure was announced Tuesday morning at a staff meeting for “Access” producers. Silverstein was also exec producer of the hourlong talk show “Access Live,” hosted by Kit Hoover and Natalie Morales, and the hourlong weekend edition of “Access.” In a note to “Access” staffers, Silverstein acknowledged that his “vision of the show moving forward differs from the management team, so we have agreed today will be my final day as Ep.”
FitzPatrick came into the NBCUniversal fold last year and had been working as a consultant on the “Access” shows. NBC execs felt the time was right to bring in a fresh perspective on the series and evolve the format. Silverstein will continue to...
Silverstein’s departure was announced Tuesday morning at a staff meeting for “Access” producers. Silverstein was also exec producer of the hourlong talk show “Access Live,” hosted by Kit Hoover and Natalie Morales, and the hourlong weekend edition of “Access.” In a note to “Access” staffers, Silverstein acknowledged that his “vision of the show moving forward differs from the management team, so we have agreed today will be my final day as Ep.”
FitzPatrick came into the NBCUniversal fold last year and had been working as a consultant on the “Access” shows. NBC execs felt the time was right to bring in a fresh perspective on the series and evolve the format. Silverstein will continue to...
- 3/19/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran TV executive Maureen FitzPatrick has been tapped as executive producer of the nationally syndicated and Emmy-nominated daily entertainment news program Access, and daily one-hour syndicated entertainment news talk show Access Live, both distributed by NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution. She is replacing Rob Silverstein, who will continue to have a first look development deal with NBCU.
“Maureen is an extremely talented and creative producer with extensive experience and a proven track record in navigating many different dayparts and genres,” said Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution. “We are looking forward to her creative insight and expertise as we build upon the success of these long-standing and iconic programs.”
FitzPatrick joined NBCUniversal in early 2018 as a development and creative executive, where she worked as a consultant for both Access and Access Live. She also developed several concepts and pilots for the syndication division and oversaw the...
“Maureen is an extremely talented and creative producer with extensive experience and a proven track record in navigating many different dayparts and genres,” said Tracie Wilson, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution. “We are looking forward to her creative insight and expertise as we build upon the success of these long-standing and iconic programs.”
FitzPatrick joined NBCUniversal in early 2018 as a development and creative executive, where she worked as a consultant for both Access and Access Live. She also developed several concepts and pilots for the syndication division and oversaw the...
- 3/19/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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