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.





  [march 2026]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


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





[03/02/26 - 01:05 PM]
Bravo Reveals Cast for "The Real Housewives of New York City" Season 16
Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond and Daisy Toye join the cast as fulltime Housewives for season 16.

[03/02/26 - 12:36 PM]
Video: "Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations" - Official Trailer - Streaming April 1 Exclusively on Disney+
Donna Hay invites you into a season of effortless entertaining.

[03/02/26 - 10:31 AM]
Video: "1000 Women in Horror" - Official Trailer - Shudder
This documentary offers a deep dive into how women pioneers revolutionized horror cinema through their groundbreaking work as directors, actors, and creators since 1895, leaving an indelible mark on the genre's evolution.

[03/02/26 - 10:11 AM]
PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports Extend Media Rights Agreement Through 2033
"Extending our partnership with NBC Sports and USA Sports through 2033 reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared vision for the future of the game," said Terry Clark, PGA of America CEO.

[03/02/26 - 10:01 AM]
Prime Video's "God of War" from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios Announces Four New Cast Members
Louis Cunningham, Ben Chapple, Evelyn Miller, and Island Austin are the latest additions.

[03/02/26 - 09:20 AM]
FOX's "Best Medicine" Renewed for Season 2
The series premiere delivered 12.6 million total multiplatform viewers, and the series ranks among broadcast's Top 2 highest-rated drama debuts this season among Adults 18-49.

[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Harry Styles. One Night in Manchester." - Announcement - Netflix
In a special one off concert in Manchester, recorded on the evening of March 6, Harry Styles will play his new album, "Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally." for the very first time.

[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice" - Official Trailer - Hulu
A time-traveling, double-crossing, ass-kicking comedy.

[03/02/26 - 09:01 AM]
"This City Is Ours: A Crime Family Saga" Set to Premiere Thursday, March 5, Exclusively on AMC+
The series follows the chaos that ignites when notorious gang boss Ronnie (Sean Bean) steps back from his criminal empire, triggering a violent power struggle between his volatile son Jamie (Jack McMullen) and trusted lieutenant Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), who suddenly sees a chance to claim the throne.

[03/02/26 - 09:00 AM]
"Welcome to Plathville" Returns to TLC with a Defining New Chapter on Tuesday, March 31 at 10PM ET/PT
The fresh chapter is focused on moving forward, whether that means protecting and fighting for love, rebuilding relationships, or confronting the past head-on.

[03/02/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: Prime Video Announces Premiere Date and Reveals Title Sequence for Upcoming Animated Series, "Kevin," from Aubrey Plaza, Joe Wengert, and Dan Murphy
All eight episodes will debut exclusively on Prime Video on Monday, April 20, 2026, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[03/02/26 - 08:00 AM]
"ZOMBIES 5" Greenlit for Disney+ and Disney Channel, with Breakout Stars Malachi Barton and Freya Skye Set to Return
Franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly return to executive produce, while Trevor Tordjman returns as Bucky, the beloved cheer captain and cousin of Addison from the original trilogy.

[03/02/26 - 07:01 AM]
Netflix Announces Mind-Blowing Science Competition Series, "SCHOOLED!", Hosted by Former NASA Engineer Mark Rober
Mark Rober is on a mission to discover the next generation of Inventors, Makers, and Engineers.

[03/02/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "One Piece" Season 2 - Final Trailer - Netflix
Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates set sail for the legendary Grand Line, encountering wondrous new lands and fresh dangers in their quest for treasure.

[03/02/26 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "53 Sundays" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When three siblings agree to meet and discuss their aging father's future, their reunion spirals into bickering, bantering and reliving old grudges.