or


[05/28/08 - 12:06 PM]
Ten American Players Announced for "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," Premiering Tuesday, June 24 on Abc
The final winner will take home $250,000.

[via press release from ABC]

TEN AMERICAN PLAYERS ANNOUNCED FOR "I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW," PREMIERING TUESDAY, JUNE 24 ON ABC

"I Survived a Japanese Game Show" has completed shooting in Japan for a premiere TUESDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. This unscripted reality/game show takes an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at 10 Americans (listed below) � many of whom have never traveled outside the United States -- who were whisked away to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show�with hilarious results. The final winner will take home $250,000.

Guiding the American players through their stay in Japan will be host/interpreter Tony Sano ("Touch Wood," "Beating Vegas"), an American actor fluent in Japanese; a house mother and resident pot-stirrer, Mamasan; and the witty game show host Rome Kanda ("Pink Panther," "Saturday Night Live"), who leads the contestants through all of the zany challenges.

The ten players are:

MARY GREENAWALT (23) Occupation: Gym membership sales rep Matthews, North Carolina Education: BFA Acting With her bright red hair and devil-may-care attitude, Mary is the epitome of a fireball. Admittedly vain, this vixen has a healthy love of herself and a low opinion of others. She's incredibly silly and relies on her pixieish charm to get by, and even gets paid for being a "party motivator" -- a job tailor made for this wild child.

ANDREW KELLY-HAYES (28) Occupation: Radio sales consultant Boston, Massachusetts Education: BA Journalism/Communication With his hilarious stories and off-the-wall energy, this flip flop-wearing funnyman could be a long-lost Belushi brother. Whether he's schmoozing old ladies at Bingo, harassing strangers while on "Smile Patrol" or joining his college cheerleading team to meet hot girls, Andrew has a reputation for being a nut.

BELINDA MADISON (38) Occupation: Veterinarian Charlotte, North Carolina Education: BS in Marine Science and DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) This independent, career focused woman is a feisty veterinarian who puts making money and friends before any romantic relationships. Belinda's confidence is evident in her vivacious and spunky -- yet poised -- persona.

CATHY NARDONE (21) Occupation: Affiliate manager Staten Island, New York Education: Bachelors Degree Happily born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Cathy is "Staten Island for life" with no plans or desires to ever leave. This brutally honest tough chick has a mouth like a sailor and will "swear to God" she's not to be messed with in the slightest.

DARCY SLETAGER (31) Occupation: Photo editor Sandpoint, Idaho Education: BFA Visual Arts This small town, single mom is in desperate need of an escape from her lackluster life of the cubicles and from the dating scene of Sandpoint, Idaho. Always putting her kids first, Darcy feels it's time to take herself off the back burner and get back to the fiery blonde she used to be.

DONNELL PITMAN (32) Occupation: Real estate appraiser Chicago, Illinois Although Donnell is usually loud and energetic, this "All American" dad is struggling to provide for his family and fulfill his shattered dreams of playing pro football. Donnell has competition coursing through his veins and would love the opportunity to prove to his family that he can be greater than what they've seen so far.

JUSTIN WOOD (24) Occupation: Financial representative Trussville, Alabama Education: Attending Community College Charming and good looking, Justin describes himself as a "divine, fine and genuine-grade-A piece of southern beast." A true southern gentleman, complete with the "twang," Justin is a fish-loving, hunting, girl-chasing guru at heart.

MEAGHAN COOPER (22) Occupation: Bartender San Antonio, Texas Education: AA degree Despite being born and raised in San Antonio, Meaghan is the spitting image of a blonde California Valley girl. Hot, ditzy and free-spirited, she uses her sex appeal to her advantage in both her work and personal life. And, of course, she loves to be the center of attention.

OLGA MEDVEDEV (26) Occupation: Waitress Medford, Massachusetts Education: BA in Broadcast Journalism Olga's "don't-mess-with-me attitude" comes off quite abrasive, if you're not ready for it, but who can blame her, coming from a Russian family with eight brothers? Not easily forgotten, this opinionated waitress is hilarious and comical with her "tell it like it is" way of life.

BEN HUGHES (44) Occupation: Punxsutawney Phil's handler / hospital VP Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Education: MS Human Resources He's lovable, he's comical, admittedly in the midst of a mid-life crisis, and he's the official handler of Punxsutawney Phil, the ground hog. Who wouldn't fall in love with this modest, cheerful and quirky character?

Some of the games/challenges will include:

WHY IS THIS FOOD SO HARD TO EAT? -- Why? Because the food is attached to the head of a teammate who must run in place on a fast-moving treadmill, while the first teammate leans over a platform and tries to eat from the moving dish.

CRAZY CRANE FINDS FLUFFY BEAR -- This takes the American arcade game to the next level, as blindfolded teammates must operate a moving crane while another teammate precariously dangles trying to collect as many stuffed animals as he/she can.

CHICKEN BUTT SCRAMBLE -- The contestants create their own version of Japanese scrambled eggs as they attempt to smash goo-filled oversized eggs with only their butts� while wearing chicken suits.

The executive producers are Arthur Smith and Kent Weed (A. Smith & Co., "Kitchen Nightmares," "Hell's Kitchen"), David Sidebotham, Karsten Bartholin and Tim Crescenti, from a concept by Babyfoot APS Denmark.





  [april 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
   


· HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX)
· I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW (ABC)
· KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (FOX)





[04/09/26 - 04:17 PM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Builds on Momentum from "Countdown to the Oscars" - Scores Big with Show's Post-Oscars Week
"Live with Kelly and Mark" has now delivered four straight weeks of growth among Women 25-54, with the strongest performance in that key demo in 15 weeks.

[04/09/26 - 02:16 PM]
Women Drive the Housemaid to Record-Numbers as Starz's Best-Performing Pay 1 Film Ever
It debuted on April 1 on the Starz app, all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms as part of Starz's multi-year theatrical film agreement with Lionsgate.

[04/09/26 - 01:30 PM]
CBS News to Present "Artemis II Return to Earth" a One-Hour Special, Friday, April 10
The previously scheduled episodes of "Sheriff Country," "Fire Country," and "Boston Blue" will start a half-hour later than originally announced.

[04/09/26 - 12:01 PM]
Video: Paramount+ Releases Official Trailer for "My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders"
The series unravels a decades-long mystery of The Monster of Green Hollow, a rumored serial killer believed to have murdered dozens of women including three of his wives, deaths once ruled as suicides.

[04/09/26 - 11:31 AM]
ESPN, APX Content Ventures, Rich Eisen Productions, Firefly Studios and Hello Sunshine Announce "Women's Sports Now" Premiering April 16
Making the move to ESPN, "Women Sports Now" will once again be presented by Miller Lite.

[04/09/26 - 10:31 AM]
Kerry Condon Joins Netflix's Series Adaptation of "The God of the Woods"
Condon will co-star alongside previously announced cast member Maya Hawke.

[04/09/26 - 10:01 AM]
Pink to Host "The 79th Annual Tony Awards"
The triple threat and lifelong theater fan will bring her unparalleled performance skills and magnetic stage presence to Radio City Music Hall when the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards return on Sunday, June 7.

[04/09/26 - 09:44 AM]
TNT Sports & DAZN Launch Landmark U.S. Partnership with New Monthly Live Boxing Event Series "The Fight"
Under the agreement, select fight nights will be presented across TNT Sports' U.S. networks and streamed globally on DAZN, bringing marquee matchups and championship bouts to a broad national audience.

[04/09/26 - 09:15 AM]
Rich Eisen Returns to Bristol, Conn., to Host "SportsCenter" Sunday Night
This marks Eisen's second return to host "SportsCenter" and his first time back at ESPN headquarters in more than 20 years.

[04/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
"The Ultimate Fighter" Returns with Coaches Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping on Sunday, June 14 Exclusively on Paramount+
The series will premiere exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Latin America and Australia on Sunday, June 14, the same day as UFC Freedom 250, with new episodes premiering every Tuesday for the remainder of the 12-episode season.

[04/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Supernova Genesis" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Epic fights. Electric performances. Celebs and influencers step into the ring while stars light up the stage in Mexico's live boxing phenomenon.

[04/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Key Art & Trailer Debut - Hulu's "Vanderpump Villa" Season Three
Season three premieres on April 16 with all 10 episodes on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ in select international markets.

[04/09/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: A Marvel Television Special Presentation - "The Punisher: One Last Kill" - Official Trailer
Hey Frank.

[04/09/26 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Renews Most-Watched Comedy "Rooster," Starring Steve Carell, for a Second Season
New episodes of the 10-episode season, from Warner Bros. Television, debut Sundays at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT leading up to the season finale on May 10.

[04/09/26 - 08:46 AM]
ESPN to Present 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13
Ryan Ruocco returns as host for ESPN's presentation, joined by analysts Rebecca Lobo and Andraya Carter and reporter Holly Rowe.