ABC Commissions New Game Show from Mark Burnett

BURBANK: ABC has given a direct-to-series order to the event game show 500 Questions (working title), to be executive produced by Emmy-winner Mark Burnett.

Set to air next year, the show will test the smarts and nerves of contestants in an incredibly intense environment. Burnett will exec produce through his outfit One Three Media along with Warner Horizon Television. The show’s the brainchild of Burnett and Mike Darnell, the president of unscripted and alternative TV for Warner Bros.

“I love this show,” Burnett said. “It is the first network game show to combine what audiences love about serialized unscripted hits with a huge game show event. It has ongoing characters and huge stakes.”

Darnell added: “I couldn’t be more excited to be back in business with my close friend and colleague Mark Burnett. We have done many shows together over the years, but one of our best experiences (both professionally and personally) was Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, and ever since, we have been trying to come up with another game show that would break new ground. I think we have finally cracked it with 500 Questions, and with Mark and his team on board, I have no doubt this is going to be the next international game show hit.”