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.

Million Dollar Password '09

One of the keys to the success of a game show is the ability for viewers to play along. Appealing hosts and likeable players add to the show's watchability. With the help of Regis Philban, one of the all-time most popular television personalities, CBS resurrected one of the longest-running 60's/70's game shows, Password. Regis' upped the ante and renamed it "Million Dollar Password," we assume with the blessings of Betty White.

The comedienne often appeared as a celebrity player on classic "Password." Her husband was the late Alan Luden, host of the orginal daytime game show. They met on the set. According to Ms. White, Alan was sure she was the one, but she had her doubts. She was dating others when he proposed. She turned him down. Nonplussed, he wore the engagement ring he had bought her on a chain around his neck, until she finally said, "Yes."

Million Dollar Password returns for its summer run, Sunday, May 24, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT. Sadly, it begins with a rerun. A new epsiode airs on May 31 and June 14. The show is pre-empted June 7th for CBS's annual broadcast of the Tony Awards. Rebroadcasts of other episodes air June 21, 28, and July 5.

Contestants are paired with celebrities in teams of two. Two teams vye against each other during each round. The team members take turns being the clue-giver and clue-receiver. They can use only one word to describe the secret word. The clue-receiver can pass if they can't come up with the word. The clue-giver can pass if they cannot come up with a descriptive synonym. If a team can make it through several rounds without being eliminated, they have a chance at the Million Dollar Password and the non-celebrity goes home with the cash prize.

Sunday, May 24 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM, ET/PT
Rebroadcast: Emmy Award winner William Shatner ("Boston Legal") and actress/comedian Aisha Tyler (CBS's "CSI" and "Ghost Whisperer").

Sunday, May 31 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Jamie Kennedy (CBS's "Ghost Whisperer") and comedian Norm MacDonald.

Sunday, June 7 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Preempted: "The 63rd Annual Tony Awards"

Sunday, June 14 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Jeff Garlin ("Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Chelsea Handler ("Chelsea Lately").

Sunday, June 21 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Rebroadcast: Neil Patrick Harris (CBS's "How I Met Your Mother") and television personality Rachael Ray.

Sunday, June 28 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Rebroadcast: Julie Chen (CBS's "The Early Show") and Phil Keoghan (CBS's "The Amazing Race").

Sunday, July 5 - 8:00 - 9:00 PM ET/PT
Rebroadcast: Legendary comedic actress (and veteran player of the original "Password") Betty White and radio/television host Adam Carolla.

Million Dollar Password is produced by FremantleMedia North America. Vincent Rubino is executive producer.

Million Dollar Password

Clever communication is the key as Password players must rely on one-word clues to guess the secret word;
Played just like the TV game show; Million Dollar Password is a modern twist on the original word association classic;
Based on the popular TV game show featuring new host; Regis Philbin;
The game is played between two competing teams in a deceptively simple word guessing game.
This home edition brings all the excitement home for hours of family fun. Suitable for ages 10+. Contains a timer/game console(Requires 3 AA batteries. Batteries not included.)

iToys Million Dollar Password Handheld with Touch Pad
Single and multiplayer games;
Includes over 1000 questions;
Fast paced and fun with standard and lightning round questions;
On screen animations;
Alpha-touch keypad for easy word entry.

Password DVD Game

New DVD edition of the classic game show combines all the fun and excitement of the game show along with the strategy and interactivity that has made the home version the number 2 best selling word game of all time. Featuring retro "reveal glasses" that enable only the clue givers the ability to see the Password.
Complete with virtual host "Charmin" Chuck Harmon;
Password is the #2 best selling word game of all time;
New DVD edition combines fun and excitement with strategy and interactivity.


Quick Picks Password Travel Game
Based on the popular TV game show;
Travel size tin;
The whole family can enjoy.

TV Premieres January 3 - 4

Underdog to Wonderdog is a makeover series from Animal Planet focusing on dogs living in shelters that need special help. Each showcased pooch is rescued, groomed, trained, and rehabilitated. It is then adopted into a loving home. The new owners are given a customized dog house. The series will air Saturdays, beginning Jan. 3 at 8:00pm e/p.

Jan. 3, 8:00-9:00pm e/p, CBS premieres a new prank show from the pro-team of Ashton Kutcher & Jason Goldberg ("Punk'd"). "Game Show in My Head" is called that because the contestants wear an ear piece while show host Joe Rogan ("Fear Factor") instructs them to perform a daring task in Los Angeles. They hope it's funny. There are five pranks per contestant, worth $5,000 each. If someone doesn't complete one, they lose the money they've won. A bonus round will give the contestants a chance to double their winnings.

Superstars of Dance premieres Sunday, Jan. 4, 9:00-11:00pm e/p on NBC, but will air Mondays, Jan. 5 through Jan. 19, 8:00-10:00pm e/p. The Season Finale is Monday, Jan. 26, 8:00-9:00pm e/p. This talent show is from the producers of So You Think You Can Dance.

Classic Fun

Million Dollar Password premieres Sunday, June 1, 8:00-9:00pm e/p on CBS. Regis Philban will host it as contestants and their celebrity partners compete for a $1,000,000 jackpot. The first celebrities are Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother") and Rachael Ray ("The Rachael Ray Show"). Among the other entertainers participating is Betty White, who was a regular on the original Password series. She eventually married host Alan Ludden.