TV Bulletin Board (Wed., March 21) -- Jeff Foxworthy and the Bible hook up for planned GSN game show
03/21/12 12:05
By ED BARK
You might be a redneck if . . . well, never mind.
Comedian/emcee Jeff Foxworthy and GSN (formerly the Game Show Network) are collaborating on The American Bible Challenge, which is being developed as a one-hour weekly quiz.
The network announced this venture Wednesday during its annual "upfront" presentation of planned new programming.
Foxworthy, who also hosts Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? on GSN, said he's "excited to host a show about the bestselling book of all time. It will be interesting to find out what people really know, and an opportunity to present the Bible in a fun and entertaining way."
GSN adds that teams of contestants will be playing for a "worthy faith-based organization."
The network also announced that it's developing a new version of an evergreen game show, $100,000 Pyramid. No host has been named yet.
***The annual Peabody Awards luncheon in New York City usually has a network news person as host. Not this time. The 71st presentation, scheduled for May 21st at the storied Waldorf-Astoria hotel, will be helmed by Sir Patrick Stewart, formerly Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Peabody director Horace Newcomb noted in a publicity release that Stewart is the first actor to ever preside over the ceremony. Nevertheless, he said, Stewart "brings a career that perfectly illustrates the breadth of the Peabody Award."
Next Generation won a Peabody in 1987. Stewart also has a long history with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
This year's Peabody winners will be announced on April 4th from the University of Georgia.
***It's not good to be "on the bubble" when you're a CBS prime-time series. That's because the No. 1-rated network in total viewers renews just about everything.
CBS recently announced the pickups of 18 series for next season. And it also is in "preliminary discussions (with Warner Bros. Television) regarding future seasons for Two and a Half Men," the network said.
So what's not on the list? Two of the CSI series -- CSI: Miami and CSI: NY -- both have their fates hanging in the balance. As do three of this season's freshmen -- Unforgettable, A Gifted Man and Rob. Once again, Rules of Engagement also is awaiting a verdict.
Everything else currently in CBS' prime-time lineup officially is good to go for at least one more season. That includes unscripted series as well, with Survivor, The Amazing Race and Undercover Boss all coming back, as are 60 Minutes (but of course) and 48 Hours.
"This large-scale renewal is testimony to the strength, stability and success of a deep and diverse roster of top-rated programming," CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said in a publicity release. "It positions us for continued success next season and certainly creates an environment that will give our new shows the best possible chance to succeed."
Rival networks have yet to make such sweeping pronouncements. Namely because they can't amid all the carnage.
Note: NBC chimed in Thursday by announcing that it's renewed the first-year musical drama Smash for a second season.
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