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.





  [november 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


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





[11/11/26 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Powers Into Winter 2027 with Global Franchise "Baywatch," Compelling New Drama "The Interrogator" and a Standout Lineup of Returning Hits
Newly announced return dates include "The Masked Singer" (January 6), "Extracted" (January 7), "Murder in a Small Town" (February 1), "Memory of a Killer" (February 1), and "Next Level Chef" (February 18).

[11/11/26 - 11:02 AM]
FX's "Adults" Renewed for Third Season
The renewal of the breakout ensemble comedy from Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw comes as Kronengold and Shaw have also set a new overall deal with FX Productions.

[11/11/26 - 11:01 AM]
Trisha Paytas Is Playing Matchmaker in New Tubi Original Dating Series "Don't Date Alone with Trisha Paytas"
Each 30-minute episode follows one best friend as they vet three potential matches for their queer friend in a vibrant luxury setting, with help from none other than Trisha herself.

[11/11/26 - 10:29 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios, Moriah Media, and Gal Gadot & Jaron Varsano's Pilot Wave Team Up for "Don't Feed the Lion" Screen Adaptation
Published by Arcadia Children's Books, "Don't Feed the Lion" follows Theo Kaplan, a 13-year-old soccer co-captain, his younger sister Annie and their classmate Gabe as their lives are upended when Theo's soccer hero posts an antisemitic message online that goes viral.

[11/11/26 - 10:04 AM]
Game On! Discovery Channel's All-New "Men v. Food" Kicks Off Tuesday, December 8 at 9PM ET/PT with a Towering Burger Challenge of Epic Proportions
Touching down in some of America's biggest football cities, the pair go head-to-head in the ultimate eating competitions as they tackle towering dishes and colossal creations in the battle for food glory.

[11/11/26 - 10:01 AM]
Polymarket UFC 334: Gane vs. Hokit Streaming Live on Paramount+ from Madison Square Garden This Saturday, November 14
Newly crowned undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane (14-2, 1 NC) makes his first title defense against No. 4-ranked contender Josh Hokit (10-0).

[11/11/26 - 09:30 AM]
The 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series on The CW Network Delivers Strongest Viewership in Five Years
Coverage averaged 1,044,000 total viewers for all 33 races, per Nielsen Panel + Big Data.

[11/11/26 - 09:03 AM]
Video: Trailer & Date Announcement - "Dance Moms: A New Era" Season 3
The A+E Factual Studios series returns with all episodes on Thursday, December 3 only on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers.

[11/11/26 - 09:02 AM]
Video: Countdown to "Avengers: Doomsday" - Return to the Universe on Disney+
Stream "Avengers Endgame: Encore" beginning November 13 on Disney+.

[11/11/26 - 08:59 AM]
Video: CBS and Paramount+ Unveil Trailer and First Look for "The JLo Show" Premiering Nov. 26
Tracing her journey from the Bronx to global icon, Lopez delivers a production that is as intimate as it is spectacular, backed by a full orchestra, vocal ensemble, and 16 dancers.

[11/11/26 - 08:31 AM]
Video: "World War II: Behind Enemy Lines" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Witness one US Army unit's battles, bravery and covert missions from D-Day to V-E Day in never-before-seen restored footage and rare firsthand accounts.

[11/11/26 - 08:30 AM]
Prime Video Names Ian Eagle, Stan Van Gundy, John Wall, and Kayla Grey to Broadcast Team for Inaugural Slate of Duke Men's Basketball Coverage
Prime Video's exclusive coverage of Duke Men's Basketball tips off during the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday on Wednesday, November 25 with a highly-anticipated clash between the Blue Devils and UConn Huskies at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

[11/11/26 - 08:27 AM]
"Saturday Night Live" Reaches Two-Year High with Host Druski and Musical Guest The Strokes
The 5.6 million topped the previous week's telecast of 5.2 million viewers, which at that point was the best of the season.

[11/11/26 - 08:16 AM]
Put Me In, Coach! "Icebreaker" Adds Paul Wesley
Previously announced cast includes Daisy Jelley, Connor Simos, Gabriel Tierney, Auli'i Cravalho, Peter Berry, Chaneil Kular, Devin Craig, and Aidan Shaw.

[11/11/26 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount+ Takes Viewers Inside One of the Military's Toughest Tests with Original Docuseries "The Elite: Army Rangers," Premiering December 8
The first-of-its-kind docuseries narrated is Academy Award nominee and three-time Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown.