Posted on: Friday, July 20, 2001
Even more TV 'reality' shows being planned
USA Today
If at first you do succeed, try, try again.
That could be the motto for three TV producers — Mark Burnett of "Survivor," Michael Davies of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and J. Michael Straczynski of "Babylon 5" — who are embarking on new projects in genres where they have enjoyed success.
Burnett, the "reality" impresario now overseeing "Survivor 3" in Kenya, is executive producer of USA Network's "Combat Missions," a 15-week series that starts Sept. 12. Four teams of expert military and law enforcement contestants — from such backgrounds as the Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Delta Force and the CIA — will compete in exercises that include hostage rescues, enemy attacks and urban assaults.
Another executive producer, Brian Gadinsky, said the series will combine top-quality production along with imaginative storytelling. Unlike many reality shows, however, the focus will be on "honor, integrity and respect."
"It's all the drama, without the back-stabbing," Gadinsky said, comparing it to other reality shows.
Gadinsky would not say whether the series will make use of extras, as Burnett admitted doing to re-create a "Survivor" swimming scene.
"I'm not about to give away Mark Burnett's trade secrets," said Gadinsky, who called him "the Thomas Edison of reality television."
USA will also be home to Davies' new half-hour game show, "Smush," which will run Monday through Thursday starting in the fall. The idea came from Jellyvision, which created the popular CD-ROM, "You Don't Know Jack," now an ABC game show.
The game features clues that result in answers that are pushed, or smushed, together. For example, a Chinese martial art plus a Japanese folding bed equals "Kungfuton."
As a twist, Davies said "Smush" will be taped in a real house, with each of the six contestants allowed to bring about 25 guests, turning the game into a kind of house party. Online and telephone participation will allow for a high level of interactivity, he says.
USA Network also announced "Mystery Mansion," a 13-episode reality game show that will follow 22 strangers competing to catch a "killer" and win a $1 million prize.
On Sci Fi Channel, USA's sister network, Straczynski is writing and producing "Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers," a two-hour movie that builds on an elite alien and human fighting force introduced during his popular science fiction series. It will premiere in early January. Andreas Katsulas will reprise his Citizen G'Kar role from "Babylon 5."
