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.





  [september 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


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





[09/14/26 - 12:31 PM]
Video: AMC Global Media Drops Official Trailer and Key Art for Shocking New Docu-Series, "Archive X: Unexplained Phenomena"
The series is hosted by Professor Jeffrey J. Kripal, one of the leading scholars of extraordinary human experiences.

[09/14/26 - 12:30 PM]
Video: ESPN Stars "Hit the Road" to Los Angeles in "We're Going" Super Bowl LXI Marketing Campaign
The new spot, "Hit the Road" debuts Monday, September 14, as ESPN kicks off its 2026-27 season coverage during Monday Night Football between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs.

[09/14/26 - 11:57 AM]
NFL Gameday in Melbourne on Netflix Scores With an Average 18.5 Million US Viewers for First-Ever NFL Regular Season Game in Australia
Globally, the historic matchup averaged 21.7 million viewers, with fans from over 200 countries and territories tuning in to the first-ever NFL regular season game played in Australia.

[09/14/26 - 11:39 AM]
NAACP Image Award Winner Tisha Campbell Returns to Lifetime as Writer, Star and Executive Producer of "One Last Shot" Premiering November 14
Campbell is joined by Charles Malik Whitfield, Jaden Lucas Miller and makes her film reunion with AJ Johnson - the two previously starred together in the cult classic "House Party."

[09/14/26 - 10:22 AM]
Video: "I Would Rather Die" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Between being a teen and being a teen zombie, growing up has never been this hard.

[09/14/26 - 10:20 AM]
Video: "Rage" - Part 2 - Trailer - HBO Max
Things got complicated. Sound familiar?

[09/14/26 - 10:11 AM]
Legendary Country Music Duo Brooks & Dunn to Receive the 2026 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at "The 60th Annual CMA Awards"
Brooks & Dunn will accept the honor as part of a special tribute during "The 60th Annual CMA Awards."

[09/14/26 - 10:02 AM]
Video: "Boston Blue" Season 2 - Official Trailer - CBS
The series returns Friday, October 9 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

[09/14/26 - 10:01 AM]
Malin Akerman, Megan Follows, Nadine Bhabha, and Matias Lucas Join Netflix's "This Summer Will Be Different"
The show has wrapped filming on Prince Edward Island and is now filming in Toronto.

[09/14/26 - 10:00 AM]
Tubi Drops 10 First Look Photos and Premiere Date for New Original Horror-Anothology Series "Bite Size Terror"
Just in time for spooky season, "Bite Size Terror" premieres exclusively on Tubi Friday, October 2.

[09/14/26 - 09:50 AM]
NFL Kickoff Game on NBC and Peacock Featuring Patriots-Seahawks Tops 25 Million Viewers for Fourth Consecutive Year
In addition, NBC Sports delivered the largest NFL Kickoff Game audience among Adults 18-49 since 2021, averaging 10.0 million viewers in the key demographic across NBC, Peacock, NBC Sports Digital and NFL Digital properties.

[09/14/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: AMC+ Releases Spellbinding Sneak Peek Clip for the Highly Anticipated Contemporary Mystery Thriller, "Yaga," Premiering Friday, October 23
New episodes will debut on Fridays, with an epic two-episode finale on Friday, November 27.

[09/14/26 - 08:46 AM]
Netflix and SEGA Announce Film Adaptation of the Video Game Crazy Taxi as Part of New Multi-Title Collaboration
Sonic and STRANGER THAN HEAVEN adaptations are also in development.

[09/14/26 - 08:19 AM]
Food Network and TikTok Live Continue Flavors Come Alive Live Cooking Series with Fall Flavors Bake-Off Event
Filmed from Food Network Kitchen, each hour-long livestream pairs Food Network chefs with popular food creators to give viewers a front-row seat to trending recipes, helpful kitchen tips, and real-time conversation.

[09/14/26 - 08:01 AM]
Critically-Acclaimed Film "Tuner" Starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman Makes Streaming Debut on Paramount+ September 21
The film follows a gifted young piano tuner whose heightened sense of hearing leads him to discover an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes - turning his carefully ordered life upside down.