Game Shows - Japanese Style

Last summer's phenomenom, Wipeout, returns Wednesday, May 27, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT on ABC, while the reality game show, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, returns Wednesday, July 8, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT. Both enter their second seasons.

In every weekly episode, 24 contestants maneuver through crazy and difficult obstacle courses hoping to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. These daring men and women come in all ages, shapes and sizes, which only adds to the comedy and the sometimes surprising wipeouts.

The Qualifier will add new obstacles, such as Plank in the Face, Hurtles, and Gyro Sweeper.

The Wipeout Zone has new challenges, including the Catapult and Gears of Doom.

The Big Balls returns with a new twist called "The Motivator," during which an ovesized anvil pushes them onto the Big Balls, should they hesitate.

“Wipeout” is hosted by John Henson (E! Entertainment’s “Talk Soup”) and John Anderson (ESPN’s “SportsCenter”). Jill Wagner is co-host. Executive producers are Matt Kunitz and Scott Larsen (“Fear Factor”). Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

"I Survived A Japanese Game Show" follows 12 Americans who travel to Japan to compete in a Japanese game show. Different culture, different language, and a type of game show that takes humiliation and physical challenges to new levels. The result reveals aspects of both our national psyche and that of the Japanese. The contestants' find themselves in various awkward and comedic situations both in their daily lives and during the game show competitions. The final winner will take home $250,000.

The game show host Rome Kanda (“Pink Panther,” “Saturday Night Live”) returns. Kanda leads the contestants through all of the zany challenges. Mamasan, a "house mother and resident pot stirrer" is back, as is Judge Bob, the referee of the games.

The executive producers are Arthur Smith and Kent Weed for A. Smith & Co. (“Kitchen Nightmares,” “Hell’s Kitchen”); and David Sidebotham, Karsten Bartholin and Tim Crescenti for Babyfoot APS Denmark. “I Survived A Japanese Game Show” is one of only four U.S. shows nominated for a Rose D’Or Award, and the series received a DGA nomination for Best Reality Competition Show.