Josh Groban to Host Roku’s Eye Candy

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Roku’s Eye Candy, an adaptation of Nippon TV’s Sokkuri Sweets game-show format, has lined up Josh Groban to host.

The Grammy- and Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter and actor host will be but one of the familiar faces appearing on the show, as celebrity guests will be featured and teamed up with civilians. The celebrity-civilian teams must then work together to identify edible creations made to look like everyday objects. The show is among more than a dozen Roku original programs set to premiere on The Roku Channel.

“I first saw this show in Japan when it was called Sokkuri Sweets and was obsessed with how fun and silly it was,” Groban said. “To be the ringmaster of such insanity is a dream. Bon appetit.”

Included in the array of celebrity guests are Jamie Chung, Bryan Greenberg, Michelle Buteau, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Tiki Barber, Melissa Gorga, Caroline Manzo, Jeremy Jordan, Bridget Everett, Nico Tortorella, Aparna Nancherla, Nina Agdal and Michael Ian Black.

Eye Candy is executive produced by Jimmy Fox, Linda Lea, Soichiro Shimada and Tom Miyauchi of Nippon TV, as well as Chrissy Teigen and Luke Dillon of 3 Arts Entertainment, with Stephanie Valentin, Amy Stanford and Charlie Van Vleet co-executive producing. Main Event Media (an All3Media America company), Huntley Productions and Good Egg Entertainment are producers.

Eye Candy is pop culture at its finest,” said Brian Tannenbaum, head of alternative programming at Roku. “We’ve tapped into a viral phenomenon, putting viewers on a wild ride full of colorful, confectionary concoctions and inviting them to figure out, is it real or is it cake? For makers everywhere, there’s no sweeter binge than Eye Candy.”

Tom Miyauchi, head of formats, international business development, at Nippon TV, added, “The sweet, fun sensation of Sokkuri Sweets took Japan by storm with stellar ratings on Nippon TV networks. Eye Candy is produced sweeter and more hilarious than ever, and it will be a tasteful addition to Roku’s original programs.”