Game Show Channel Gets Real with 'Joe,' 'Dog'
Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:49 am
LOS ANGELES, California (Hollywood Reporter) - GSN, the cable channel formerly known as Game Show Network, is going after the "Average Joe" and "Dog Eat Dog" demo as part of an overhaul of its programing strategy.
GSN has picked up the rerun rights to the two NBC reality series, which are expected to premiere on the cabler by late spring. The deal covers the first two seasons of "Dog Eat Dog," for a total of 26 episodes, and the first two installments of "Average Joe" plus an option on a third incarnation.
"These two acquisitions are perfectly suited for the expanded programing direction of GSN," said GSN president Rich Cronin, who has said the network is looking to expand its scope beyond traditional game shows and into the ever-growing reality-competition and matchmaking arenas.
"Dog Eat Dog," hosted by former "Baywatch" star Brooke Burns, pits contestants in a battle to top one another with outrageous stunts and other physical challenges.
"Average Joe" is a matchmaking vehicle that challenges a good-looking young woman to pick a mate from a pool of 16 average-looking guys. The finale of the first "Joe" series, which aired on NBC in the fall, drew more than 17 million viewers. The second incarnation, "Average Joe: Hawaii," which wrapped last week, also delivered strong young-adult demo ratings.
Melana Scantlin, the former cheerleader who starred in the first "Average Joe," will also be a regular presence on GSN as co-host of the cabler's entry into the burgeoning world of card-game TV, "The World Series of Blackjack From the Mohegan Sun," which bows Monday.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
GSN has picked up the rerun rights to the two NBC reality series, which are expected to premiere on the cabler by late spring. The deal covers the first two seasons of "Dog Eat Dog," for a total of 26 episodes, and the first two installments of "Average Joe" plus an option on a third incarnation.
"These two acquisitions are perfectly suited for the expanded programing direction of GSN," said GSN president Rich Cronin, who has said the network is looking to expand its scope beyond traditional game shows and into the ever-growing reality-competition and matchmaking arenas.
"Dog Eat Dog," hosted by former "Baywatch" star Brooke Burns, pits contestants in a battle to top one another with outrageous stunts and other physical challenges.
"Average Joe" is a matchmaking vehicle that challenges a good-looking young woman to pick a mate from a pool of 16 average-looking guys. The finale of the first "Joe" series, which aired on NBC in the fall, drew more than 17 million viewers. The second incarnation, "Average Joe: Hawaii," which wrapped last week, also delivered strong young-adult demo ratings.
Melana Scantlin, the former cheerleader who starred in the first "Average Joe," will also be a regular presence on GSN as co-host of the cabler's entry into the burgeoning world of card-game TV, "The World Series of Blackjack From the Mohegan Sun," which bows Monday.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
I love that game.
