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)





[04/07/26 - 02:31 PM]
Date Announcement: Hulu Original "Lisa Ann Walter: It Was An Accident"
The comedy special will premiere Friday, May 15 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S., and on Disney+ internationally.

[04/07/26 - 02:01 PM]
The Academy and ABC Announce Show Dates for 99th and 100th Oscars
The 99th Oscars will take place Sunday, March 14, 2027, and the 100th Oscars will take place Sunday, March 5, 2028.

[04/07/26 - 01:32 PM]
Lifetime Adds Two New Movies to Join Previously Announced Films as Part of Spring "Love of a Lifetime" Romance Slate
Haley Ramm, Luke Benward and Mary Hollis Inboden star in "Faith & Forgiveness: A Duck Dynasty Love Story"; while Jana Kramer, Tyler Johnson, John Schneider and Charlene Tilton lead "Where the Heart Lands."

[04/07/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of March 30 - Fans Have Heart Eyes for "XO, Kitty" as Season 3 Takes No. 1 in the Top 10
Horror series "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen" maintained its No. 2 position for a second week on the English TV list with 6.9 million views.

[04/07/26 - 11:30 AM]
New Episodes of "Tyler Perry's Divorced Sistas" Arrive on Paramount+ April 15
The eight-episode conclusion to season one will debut with two episodes at launch, followed by a weekly rollout, culminating in the season finale on Wednesday, May 27.

[04/07/26 - 11:14 AM]
Bravo's All-New Series "In The City" Debuts Tuesday, May 19 at 9 P.M. ET/PT
The new original series premieres as a two-hour crossover event following the "Summer House" season 10 finale beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

[04/07/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Funny AF with Kevin Hart" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Kevin Hart travels the country with the help of comedy legends to find the next stand-up superstar - with the winner crowned live by your real-time vote.

[04/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
First Look & Date Announcement: Hulu's "Not Suitable for Work"
From comedy hitmaker Mindy Kaling, "Not Suitable for Work" centers around five work-obsessed twenty-somethings striving for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan's most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill.

[04/07/26 - 09:01 AM]
Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert Added to Performance Lineup for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards
They join previously announced superstar performers Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green.

[04/07/26 - 08:39 AM]
Paramount+ Renews "Canada Shore" for Another Epic Season
The housemates will head back to the Shore for more parties, hookups and debauchery with filming set to take place this summer.

[04/07/26 - 08:06 AM]
Nova "Return to the Moon" Chronicles NASA's High-Stakes Artemis Program with New Footage from the Current Mission
The film follows NASA's Artemis missions to bring astronauts back to the Moon, including the latest footage from the Artemis II mission that is currently underway.

[04/07/26 - 08:06 AM]
Stranded Chefs Battle Each Other and the Elements in New Food Network Series "Chopped Castaways"
Hosted by Ted Allen, the eight-episode series strands 12 elite chefs on a remote island, where survival skills are just as critical as culinary talent.

[04/07/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for Original Limited Series "Half Man," Debuting April 23
New episodes will debut weekly through Thursday, May 28.

[04/07/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Mating Season" - Official Teaser - Netflix
Starring horny, lovable forest critters - a bear named Josh (voiced by Zach Woods), a raccoon named Ray (voiced by Nick Kroll), a deer named Fawn (voiced by June Diane Raphael), and a fox named Penelope (voiced by Sabrina Jalees).

[04/07/26 - 07:02 AM]
Investigation Discovery Sets May Premiere Date for "We Are Jeni," A Powerful Story of Survival and an Epic Fight for Justice
The new two-hour documentary special premieres on Thursday, May 7 from 9-11PM ET/PT on ID and will be available to stream on HBO Max.