USA TODAY International Edition
Who’s there? It’s Fox’s ‘ Knock Knock’
You might want to spruce up your home and look presentable Tuesday, because Fox’s new
Knock Knock Live might pay a surprise visit.
Instead of selling something, the show’s correspondents probably will be giving stuff away, from an introduction to a favorite athlete or singer to a chance to win thousands of dollars by answering questions, such as naming a neighbor’s children.
“The notion of paying someone’s bills, giving someone a trip, we’ve been doing that on the radio for years,” says host and executive producer Ryan Seacrest. “The execution of it is new: that we do it live, us taking the show out to people’s homes.”
Those being visited, usually nominated by friends, family or neighbors, may need some financial help or deserve a little appreciation. “At the end of each segment, if somebody feels good, feels a little bit better about their day, then we’ve done our job,” Seacrest says.
The American Idol host, who’s producing Knock with Idol creator Simon Fuller, will host from a Hollywood studio, with a team of co- hosts — including singer Kellie Pickler, Teen Wolf’s Tyler Posey and former Tonight Show correspondent Ross Mathews— stationed around the country, ready to surprise people.
“It’s really special that I get to be a part of making people happy and delivering good news. I think there’s a lot of people out there who are hurting right now. They need a pick- me- up,” says Pickler, a country singer, Idol finalist and
Dancing With the Stars winner who has a Seacrest- produced CMT series, I Love Kellie Pickler, premiering in September.
The correspondents will be joined by an array of celebrities, including David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Rob Gronkowski, Martha Stewart and Meghan Trainor.
Guest singers may stage impromptu concerts. “We want to have some of them perform in a living room,” Seacrest says.
Pickler says there’s no easy way to prepare for knocking on doors, but she’ll take in stride the possibility of cranky residents or barking dogs: “I’m pretty much a people person, ( and) I’m a big animal lover.”
And she promises correspondents can wing it in an “anything-can-happen” format.
“The good thing is that everyone involved in the show is quick on their feet and witty,” Pickler says. “This is live television, ( so) you have to hope for the best and hope everyone is excited to see you and doesn’t slam the door in your face.”