MTV to revive reality series ‘Fear Factor’ for a new gen
O’Reilly takes longest spring break
LOS ANGELES, April 13, (Agencies): MTV is reviving the reality franchise “Fear Factor” for a new generation.
The Viacom cabler has ordered 10 new episodes of the series from Endemol Shine North America. Rap star Ludacris is set to host and exec produce. The series that challenges teams of contestants to face extreme physical and mental trials is expected to bow May 30.
The move is consistent with the plan outlined by Viacom brass to focus on high-profile unscripted programs on MTV rather scripted series. Ludacris, aka Chris Bridges, adds a music-related element that MTV is also aiming for in its original series. The hosting gig on “Fear Factor” is part of a larger pact that Ludacris has set with MTV.
Based on a Dutch format, “Fear Factor” was an unscripted hit for NBC from 2001 to 2006. It was often bashed by critics as an example of reality TV’s gross-out extremes. NBC revived the title as a series of specials in 2011. Joe Rogan hosted the original NBC series. The return of “Fear Factor” is also in keeping with the trend of reality TV revivals that has swept across cable.
“Grace and Frankie” has been renewed for Season 4 at Netflix less than three weeks after the premiere of Season 3, Variety has learned.
The 13-episode Season 4 will debut in 2018. In addition, “Friends” alum and Emmy winner Lisa Kudrow will join the show in a gueststarring arc as Sheree, Grace’s longtime manicurist whose newfound friendship with Grace irks Frankie and threatens to drive a wedge between the titular ladies. Kudrow’s role will see her reunite with “Friends” co-creator Marta Kauffman, who co-created the Netflix series and serves as an executive producer.
The series stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie respectively, sworn enemies who find common ground when their husbands leave them for each other. Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston also star, along with Brooklyn Decker, Ethan Embry, Baron Vaughn and June Diane Raphael.
The critically-acclaimed series hails from Skydance Television, and executive producers Kauffman, by way of her Okay Goodnight production company, co-creator Howard J. Morris, Paula Weinstein, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Marcy Ross, plus Fonda and Tomlin.
Tomlin has been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her role on the show. In addition, the series was nominated for Outstanding Costumes for a Contemporary Series, Limited Series or Movie in 2016.
“The Path” has been renewed for Season 3 at Hulu, the streaming service announced Wednesday.
The series stars “Breaking Bad” alum Aaron Paul, Michelle Monaghan and Hugh Dancy. Focusing on members of a fictional cult known as Meyerism, Paul and Monaghan star as a married couple struggling to hold their family together after one of them begins to have grave doubts about the movement. Dancy plays the charismatic leader who is intent on solidifying his power as the group’s second-generation spiritual force.
The second season picked up after Eddie’s (Paul) departure from the Meyerism movement. Season 2 launched on Jan 25 with the first two episodes, with the season finale debuting today.
Jessica Goldberg will return as showrunner and executive producer for the third season. Jason Katims and Michelle Lee of True Jack Productions will also executive produce. Universal Television is the studio.
Other Hulu originals include “The Mindy Project”, “11.22.63”, “Difficult People”, the Golden Globe nominated comedy series “Casual”, and the upcoming “The Handmaid’s Tale”, “Future Man” and “The Looming Tower”.
The service also has an expansive library of exclusive content, including “Homeland”, “Roots”, “Blindspot”, “Empire”, “Fargo”, and “South Park” in addition to licensing deals with major cable networks FX, Turner and AMC Networks.
Embattled Fox News Channel host Bill O’Reilly, who announced he was going on vacation starting Wednesday and returning April 24, hasn’t taken off this much time consecutively in March or April for at least 10 years, an examination of his show’s transcripts revealed.
O’Reilly said he likes to take vacation around this time and that he booked this year’s break months ago. That would appear to stave off stories that the cable host had been pressured to make himself scarce for a while. His show has seen an advertiser exodus since reports emerged of settlements reached with five women to keep quiet about harassment accusations.
Fox would not discuss whether network executives influenced the duration or timing of his break. O’Reilly’s announcement immediately set off speculation about whether cable television’s most popular host will return at all.
“I grab some vacation, because it’s spring and Easter time”, O’Reilly said Tuesday. “Last fall, I booked a trip that should be terrific”.
Transcripts over the last decade show O’Reilly has taken at least some time off in March or April every year, although usually they amount to long weekends. He took a week off at the end of March last year. He appeared to be away for six consecutive days in April 2010, although not every night’s transcript was available for that time. O’Reilly usually takes vacation time in August, too.
Dana Perino, former White House press secretary under president George W. Bush, substituted for O’Reilly on Wednesday night.