ABC to Pilot Endemol’s 101 Ways…

LONDON/BURBANK: ABC in the U.S. has commissioned a broadcast pilot for its own version of Endemol’s 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow, with production due to begin at the format’s international set in Argentina later this summer.

The U.S. deals follows the British commission on the show, with BBC One launching an 8×1-hour season in July. The format—jointly developed by Endemol’s British and American creative teams—sees contestants answering general-knowledge questions. A wrong answer will see participants being ejected in outrageous ways from a 100-foot tower.

“Endemol has pioneered many ground breaking stunt and game shows such as Fear Factor, Wipeout, Deal or No Deal and One vs. 100, so with 100 Ways to Leave a Gameshow, we have created a show that combines the best of both genres," said David Goldberg, chairman of Endemol North America. "Contestants will need brains, guts and a good sense of humility to conquer the show. If not, they’ll be sent on their way in spectacular fashion.”

Paul Romer, chief creative officer of Endemol Group, added: “101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow combines the play-along fun of a glitzy, prime time quiz with the full-on adrenaline rush of an extreme stunt show. As with formats like Wipeout and XXS we can deliver a massive show to any country in the world from one international set and this is already paying dividends. Having first been commissioned by BBC One in the U.K. it’s now been picked up by the biggest TV market in the world and we’re expecting many more of these deals to come.”