ABC Commissions Endemol’s 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow

LONDON/BURBANK: Following a pilot commission last year, ABC has ordered a full U.S. version of the Endemol format 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow to air in prime time.

The U.S. treatment will be hosted by Jeff Sutphen (BrainSurge) and executive produced by Matt Kunitz, whose credits include Wipeout and Fear Factor. The show features contestants competing for a chance to win $50,000. The contenders match wits with a series of multiple choice questions, with one contestant being eliminated every round. The eliminated contestant is eject from the show in spectacular fashion—being strapped to the wing of a biplane, shot out of a canon, pushed off the top of a moving semi truck, etc.

"Developed in partnership with our U.K. colleagues, 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow is unlike any other show we’ve done before,” said David Goldberg, the chairman of Endemol North America. “Incorporating action packed stunts that will eject contestants so outlandishly within the show will keep contestants and viewers on the edge of their seats having no idea what to expect next. This concept is definitely the next generation of game shows and we are thrilled to be on the forefront of it.”
 
Tim Hincks, the CEO of Endemol UK, added: “101 Ways is a fantastic example of what makes Endemol special. Dreamt up jointly by the creative teams of Endemol USA and Endemol UK it’s a unique and ambitious format which I’m certain will now go on to be a world beater.”

The format has been sold to a total of eight territories, including Argentina (Channel 13), UK (BBC One), Germany (RTL), Turkey (Fox), Sweden (TV3) Brazil (TV Globo) and Israel (Reshet). All productions, except the U.S. version, will be filmed on Endemol’s international set for the show in Argentina.