or


[07/16/07 - 11:37 AM]
NBC Announces Deal with World-Renowned Mystifier Criss Angel and Famed Mentalist Uri Geller for 'Phenomenon,' Controversial New Live Competition Series That Will Lead Search for the Next Great Mentalist
The pair will tem for "a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist."
[via press release from NBC]

NBC ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH WORLD-RENOWNED MYSTIFIER CRISS ANGEL AND FAMED MENTALIST URI GELLER FOR 'PHENOMENON,' CONTROVERSIAL NEW LIVE COMPETITION SERIES THAT WILL LEAD SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT MENTALIST

NBC ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH WORLD-RENOWNED MYSTIFIER CRISS ANGEL AND FAMED MENTALIST URI GELLER FOR 'PHENOMENON,' CONTROVERSIAL NEW LIVE COMPETITION SERIES THAT WILL LEAD SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT MENTALIST

BURBANK - July 16, 2007 - NBC has signed a series deal with mystifier/artist Criss Angel ("Criss Angel Mindfreak") and famed mentalist Uri Geller for "Phenomenon" (working title) -- a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist. The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"The match-up of two world-famous personalities, Uri Geller and Criss Angel -- who have demonstrated astounding skills -- makes for a riveting series format," said Silverman. "Factor in the mystery of the genre, the live competitive angle as the contestants attempt to follow in Criss and Uri's footsteps, and incredible interactive applications, and we think viewers will have many compelling reasons to watch."

The series, based on a successful Israeli version judged and monitored by Geller which achieved a historical record-breaking viewing audience, tests 10 hopeful mentalists who must compete each week to demonstrate a wide spectrum of mystifying talents on a panel of weekly celebrity guests who participate along with a studio audience. Geller and Angel will assess the contestants and offer their unfiltered opinions. Ultimately, the winner's fate will be determined by the viewers at home.

The visually arresting Angel is the creator, director and star of his self-titled, alternative cable series, "Criss Angel MINDFREAK" which is currently wrapping post production on its third remarkable and critically acclaimed season.

In addition, Angel created and starred in two top-reviewed cable television specials, 2002's "Criss Angel MINDFREAK" and 2003's "Criss Angel: Supernatural." He has been the featured guest-star on both NBC's "Las Vegas" and "CSI: New York." Angel also has appeared on countless talk shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." In the summer of 2008, Angel will team up with Cirque du Soleil for a live magic experience at the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas that is slated to run for ten years and over 4600 shows.

Geller soared to international fame by claiming extreme mind-over-matter abilities that aroused much controversy to this day in his hundreds of TV shows across the globe -- particularly the ability to bend spoons, among others. He was instrumental in creating the first interactive TV show worldwide when mysteriously objects bent in people's homes and broken watches came alive.

"Phenomenon" is a Granada America/Keshet Broadcasting/Kuperman Productions co-production in association with SevenOne International. SevenOne International controls the worldwide rights to the program.





  [july 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· CRISS ANGEL: MINDFREAK (A AND E)
· CSI: NEW YORK (CBS)
· LAS VEGAS (NBC)
· OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· PHENOMENON (NBC)




[06/01/26 - 09:03 AM]
Paramount+ Sets Streaming Debut for Baz Luhrmann's "EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert"
The film will make its streaming debut June 3, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and in Canada on July 24.
[06/01/26 - 08:27 AM]
ESPN Scores Most-Viewed Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final Since 2015, The Latest Viewership Successes Headed Into the Stanley Cup Final
Across four games on ESPN, the series averaged 2.2 million viewers and was up 44% vs. the Western Conference Final last year (Edmonton vs. Dallas) which went five games on ESPN.

[06/01/26 - 07:15 AM]
ABC's Exclusive Coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals Begins June 3: New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
The matchup marks the Knicks' first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 - and their first ever on ABC - and the Spurs' sixth NBA Finals appearance on ABC.
[06/01/26 - 07:15 AM]
Queen Latifah, P!NK, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Whitney Leavitt, and More to Celebrate "Chicago's" 30th Anniversary with Special Performance at "The 79th Annual Tony Awards" Live Sunday, June 7 on CBS
Broadway's biggest night will also feature performances from "The Lost Boys," "Schmigadoon!," "Titaníque," "Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)," "CATS: The Jellicle Ball," "Ragtime" and "Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show."
[06/01/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "I Will Find You" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Wrongfully imprisoned for murdering his own son, a father sets out on a desperate rescue mission after learning the boy may still be alive.
[05/31/26 - 11:31 PM]
Video: "Raakh" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
"Raakh" is a haunting crime investigation that begins with the disappearance and murder of two teenagers in Delhi.
[05/31/26 - 09:45 AM]
The Quest for the Stanley Cup Reaches Its Peak: ESPN Exclusively Presents the 2026 Stanley Cup Final Presented by Geico
The series continues in Raleigh, N.C. with Game 2 (June 4) before shifting to Vegas for Game 3 (June 6), and Game 4 (June 9).
[05/29/26 - 03:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's No. 1 Newsmagazine, Leading "Dateline" in Total Viewers for the 5th Consecutive Broadcast Season
"20/20" improved on the previous season in Total Viewers (+5%/+170,000 - 3.672 million vs. 3.502 million).
[05/29/26 - 03:01 PM]
ABC News Is #1 in Total Viewers Sunday Morning and in Late-Night
"Nightline" posted double-digit gains week to week in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49.
[05/29/26 - 01:01 PM]
Video: Peacock Releases Summer Sizzle for "Days of Our Lives"
Audiences can access the past season and new episodes every weekday.
[05/29/26 - 10:38 AM]
Video: We TV and All Reality Unveil Sneak Peek of All New Original Unscripted Series "Age Inappropriate"
The eight episode series is set to premiere this August, exclusively on We TV and All Reality.
[05/29/26 - 10:01 AM]
Hallmark Channel's Annual "Christmas in July" Programming Event Returns June 26 with Four Original Movie Premieres
Plus: Hallmark+ subscribers will be treated to a second season of sailing the high seas with their favorite Hallmark stars in "Christmas at Sea," available to stream on Wednesday, July 1.
[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Paramount+ Sets U.S. and International Premiere for "Wild Cherry"
The acclaimed six-part BBC thriller from the U.K., will stream exclusively on Paramount+ on June 24 in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and Latin America.
[05/29/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "A Different World" - Official Teaser - Netflix
The new class just enrolled. "A Different World" premieres on Netflix September 24.
[05/29/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for Season Three of Original Drama Series "House of the Dragon"
Based on George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood," the series, set 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones," tells the story of House Targaryen.