SPEED to Launch New Game Show

CHARLOTTE: SPEED, the U.S. cable television network featuring automotive and motorcycle racing, is launching the new Leopard Films USA game show series Pumped! in November.

Pumped! is produced by Leopard Films USA, part of the Argonon group, and will be presented by comedian Greg Fitzsimmons, who travels to undisclosed Sunoco gas stations around the New York tri-state area, offering unsuspecting patrons a chance to win up to $1,800 if they can successfully answer trivia questions. The series premieres with back-to-back episodes on November 17.

"We’ve all heard the term ‘pain at the pump,’ and in the current economy filling up the daily driver can really drain people’s wallets," said Robert Ecker, the VP of programming and executive producer for SPEED. "The idea of providing gasoline customers with an opportunity to win cash by answering automotive-related and pop culture questions while filling their tanks is fresh, fun and completely unexpected."

Nick Rigg, the president and executive producer at Leopard Films USA, commented, “We are delighted to be working with SPEED on Pumped!, which marks our first move into the game show genre. We are confident that the potent mix of Greg’s impressive improv skills, the fast-paced format and an innovative setting will appeal strongly to viewers. The show is based on fun and we’ve found that the contestants have risen to the challenge—and really enjoyed it as well.”

Fitzsimmons added, “I’m just a guy who’s coming up to them and trying to have some fun. I’m not putting pressure on them to play the game. Not trying to tell a bunch of funny jokes, I’m trying to bring out what’s fun in an already funny situation. I did improv in college and I’ve done stand-up. Now, my stand-up has been a lot of listening to people as opposed to just trying to say funny things. I think in this show, the best games we can play are when the people feel comfortable and respond to how they are feeling.”