'The Masked Singer' a new celebrity competition series with a groundbreaking twist
Nick Cannon to host; Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger & Robin Thicke to be featured as studio panelists
FOX has ordered the new celebrity competition series "The Masked Singer," to premiere in January 2019. Based on an international hit, which already is a viral phenomenon with more than half a billion fans worldwide, and the No. 1 top-trending video of 2017 on YouTube, "The Masked Singer" features celebrities facing off against one another with one major twist: Each singer is shrouded from head to toe in an elaborate costume, complete with full face mask to conceal his or her identity.
Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke serve on the panel and play detective, alongside host Nick Cannon.
"This is truly one of the most unique, genre-defining formats I've ever seen," said Rob Wade, president, alternative entertainment and specials, Fox Broadcasting Company. "It's a massive international hit, and its boldness and originality make it the perfect fit for FOX."
"There are very few hit formats left in the world, and when I saw 'The Masked Singer,' which is a true global and viral phenomenon that has captured the world's attention, I knew it had to be brought to life in America," added executive producer Craig Plestis.
Between all of the celebrity competitors on the show, they've amassed 65 Grammy nominations, 16 multi-Platinum albums, 16 Emmy nominations, nine Broadway shows, four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and four Super Bowl titles. With each performance, the host, panelists, audience, viewers and even the other contestants are left guessing who is singing behind the mask. The singers may attempt to throw the crowd off of their scent, while keen observers might pick up on tiny hints buried throughout the show. One singer will be eliminated each week, ultimately revealing his or her true identity. It's not a "whodunit," it's a "whosungit!"
'Mental Samurai,' first-ever obstacle course for mind, hosted & produced BY ROB LOWE
FOX has ordered "Mental Samurai," a thrilling new competition series that pushes every aspect of human intelligence and mental agility. Hosted and produced by Rob Lowe, the show is the first-ever obstacle course ... for the mind. The show is scheduled to premiere during the 2018-19 season on FOX.
"When I was 15, I won big on 'The $10,000 Pyramid,' " Lowe said. "I've loved mental competition shows ever since. For me, 'Mental Samurai' is addicting. Every time you play, you think: This time I'm gonna win! But this very simple game is almost impossible to crack. Also, as a producer, I'm excited to get into this new arena."
"Mike Darnell and Arthur Smith are two of the most innovative and creative minds in unscripted television, whose collaborations have been responsible for so many attention-grabbing FOX hits," Wade said. "Along with our incredibly entertaining host, Rob Lowe, they are the ideal partners for this one-of-a kind high-velocity competition series that takes the game show genre to the next level."
"Never before has such an accessible game been so challenging," added Arthur Smith, CEO of A. Smith & Co. Productions. "Everyone can play, however very few can win, and with Rob Lowe's wit, warmth and encouraging spirit, the show's first generation of 'Mental Samurai' will have the experience of their lives."
Each episode of "Mental Samurai" is an epic television event, as contestants battle the boundaries of their minds to answer questions accurately with speed and precision. Not only does the course test their acumen in categories of knowledge, memory, numbers and sequencing, but players will also have to contend with being transported around the set at high speeds in a specially designed capsule that is capable of rotating 360 degrees. In "Mental Samurai," people from all walks of life will compete, new stars will emerge, underdogs will triumph, and egos will be shattered in the ultimate display of skill, focus and stamina.
New pop culture game show 'Spin the Wheel' executive-produced by Justin Timberlake, hosted by Dax Shepard
FOX has ordered "Spin the Wheel," a high-stakes game show offering a chance to win over $20 million per episode. Executive-produced by Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musician and actor Justin Timberlake, and hosted by actor, director, writer and comedian Dax Shepard, the show offers life-changing opportunities to win fortunes each episode with the spin of a massive, unpredictable wheel. The show, created by Timberlake and Andrew Glassman ("The Wall") of Glassman Media, is scheduled to premiere during the 2018-19 season on FOX.
"This show is massive on so many levels and has the ability to change people's lives," Wade said. "We have a charismatic and hilarious host in Dax, an uber-producer in Andrew, an insanely creative global superstar in Justin, and one of the biggest prizes in primetime history. We can't wait to 'Spin the Wheel.' "
" 'Spin the Wheel' is the opportunity of a lifetime, and every time someone spins, a massive fortune is on the line," said executive producer Glassman. "This is all about a rollercoaster of emotions, positive energy and some incredible wins."
"I can't think of a better job than giving out millions of dollars to nice people," Shepard said. "It's my chance to finally be Willy Wonka."
A suspenseful, high-energy mix of pop culture trivia, strategy and simple whirling luck, "Spin the Wheel" pits contestants against a colossal, spinning 40-foot wheel that holds incredible sums of cash prizes in its rotation. Throughout the game, players will answer trivia questions - each correct answer adds more extreme amounts of cash in the wheel's wedges in a strategic location of their choice, while each incorrect answer adds more dangerous wedges that could instantly bring their total back to zero. With massive prize money on the line, contestants must make sweat-inducing, gut-wrenching decisions: whether to walk away or risk it all to "Spin the Wheel" one last time.
