CONTESTANTS GO SPLAT AS THEY ENCOUNTER A FLY SWATTER, DOUBLE BARREL AND TOTAL CARNAGE, ON ABC's "WIPEOUT"

"Contestants Are Dropping Like Flies" -- What's the last thing that went through the bug's mind before it hit the windshield? A "Wipeout" contestant! 24 contestants find out what it's like to be on the smacking end of a fly swatter -- complete with bug goop -- before taking the three wheels on Driver's Ed and diving into the Double Barrel featuring Ballsy's Underwater Aquatic Adventure. Beware the evil sea sponges! The field is narrowed to 6 on Total Carnage, and slimmed down once more on the Wipeout Playset, with only three players walking to the top of the Flume of Doom trying to secure the best time and take away the $50,000 prize in the Wipeout Zone. Hosted by John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter"), John Henson (E! Entertainment's "Talk Soup") and co-hosted by Jill Wagner, this episode of "Wipeout" airs THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Each week, 24 new exciting contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes go head to head through four rounds of demanding but hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. In the end, only one contestant will win, while everyone else will Wipeout!

Fans can also star in their own Wipeout by visiting www.WipeoutYourself.com

"Wipeout" executive producers are Matt Kunitz ("101 Ways to Leave A Game Show" "Fear Factor") and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

About Endemol USA

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the mega hits "Deal or No Deal," "Wipeout," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Big Brother." Endemol USA is a division of the Endemol Group, a prominent international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 25 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol is owned by a consortium consisting of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group. For more information, please visit www.endemolusa.tv. Endemol is a privately held company.

"Wipeout" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline.

For more information on "Wipeout," visit ABC.com