TV is keeping it real
“Castaways” joins list of new unscripted shows.
Yes, you already have your “America’s Got Talent,” “The Voice” and “American Idol.” “Dancing With the Stars” and “The Bachelor” franchise are still kicking, with upcoming spinoffs including “AGT: The Champions” and a kids’ edition of “DWTS.” Countless ’70s gameshow revivals fill summer schedules. But networks haven’t seen a new breakout reality hit in years. Still, they try. A few prospects:
❚ “Love Island”: CBS has optioned rights to this series, a smash hit in the United Kingdom, which traps a bunch of hard-bodied contestants on a tropical island and follows them on dates and challenges as viewers help determine their actions and choose the winners. It may surface as early as next spring. Related: Deadline reported in June that USA Network was near a deal to revive former Fox series “Temptation Island,” in which couples’ relationships were tested by a group of singles.USA declined comment.
❚ “Castaways”: ABC’s newest series tests “the human need for companionship under extreme circumstances.” It’s like “Survivor,” except 12 contestants are dropped off one by one in Indonesia and don’t know who else is playing or when they will be “rescued.” Their at-home lives are documented before the journey. (Now airing, Tuesdays, 10 ET/PT)
❚ “The Masked Singer”: Fox’s newly announced oddball show, based on a hit Korean format, disguises celebrities (including Super Bowl winners, as well as Emmy and Grammy award nominees) in elaborate costumes. After they sing, a panel of judges asks questions to help identify them, in the style of “To Tell the Truth,” and those who remain anonymous advance until a winner is named. The series is expected in January with Nick Cannon as host and Jenny McCarthy, Ken Jeong, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke as judges.
❚ “Million Dollar Mile”: NBC’s durable “American Ninja Warrior” spawned Netflix imitator “Ultimate Beastmaster” and ABC’s “Wipeout,” which was played for laughs, and now two new competitions add a wrinkle. CBS series “TKO: Total Knock Out” (now airing Fridays, 8 ET/PT) sends contestants navigating an obstacle course while competitors try to stop them, while the same network’s “Million Dollar Mile,” with LeBron James among its producers, aims to “shut down the streets of a major city” next season as players vie for $1 million while fending off “elite athletes” who try to stop them.
❚ “Family Food Fight”: A cross between “Top Chef ” and “Family Feud,” this upcoming ABC series, based on an Australian format, pits entire families against each other to cook everyday family recipes rather than restaurant meals, battling for the title of “America’s No. 1 Food Family” and a $100,000 prize. Host Ayesha Curry is among the panel judging familial culinary skills in a show expected in 2019.