International hit Total Blackout coming to Syfy
by Doc on Oct.10, 2011, under Television
EIGHT EPISODE ORDER FOR NEW GAME SHOW FROM FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA (AMERICAN IDOL, THE X FACTOR)
ORLANDO – October 10, 2011 – Continuing the expansion of its popular unscripted programming, Syfy will bring the international hit Total Blackout – a half-hour game show which places contestants in complete darkness to compete in challenges — to its prime time schedule in 2012, it was announced today by Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy, and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions.
The eight episode order comes from FremantleMedia North America (American Idol, The X Factor, America’s Got Talent).
Total Blackout will begin production in Los Angeles on October 18, and will be hosted by Jaleel White (Family Matters, Grown Ups).
Total Blackout is a comedic game show in which contestants battle each other and their fears in a series of challenges. However, there is a twist — all the challenges are played in complete darkness. There are no lights, no blindfolds and no-holds barred as the players face their fears and unexpected surprises in a series of nerve-wracking games.
Said Stern: “Total Blackout brings to life, in a wonderfully clever, intense and funny way, what can happen when your imagination runs away with you. We’re also very excited to be partnered with a company like FreemantleMedia, who are using their amazing expertise to make this show one that makes you gasp and laugh in the same breath.”
“Total Blackout is one of the latest FremantleMedia formats to launch internationally and has enjoyed success in multiple countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Sweden and the Ukraine,” says Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Executive Officer, FremantleMedia North America. “Total Blackout provides a ‘play-in-the-dark’ fun experience that offers viewers the rare opportunity to be thrilled and amused at the same time, and we are happy to bring it to the Syfy audience.”
Total Blackout was created by Henrik Nielsen (Can You Duet?; Danish versions The X Factor, Got Talent and Pop Idol). Henrik Nielsen and Jeff Apploff (Million Dollar Money Drop, Don’t Forget the Lyrics) serve as executive producers. Jack Martin (Who’s Still Standing, Deal or No Deal) is co-executive producer.
Total Blackout joins Syfy’s growing stable of popular unscripted series such as Face Off, Ghost Hunters, Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files, Hollywood Treasure, Haunted Collector and the latest hit, Paranormal Witness, as well as the upcoming Monster Man and Dream Machines.
Please click the below link for an interview with host Jaleel White: