Celebrity Name Game
| Celebrity Name Game | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Game show |
| Based on | Identity Crisis |
| Starring | Craig Ferguson |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Scott St. John |
| Producers | Courteney Cox David Arquette |
| Production company | Coquette Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndicated |
Celebrity Name Game is an upcoming American syndicated game show which will premiere in September 2014. Based off the board game Identity Crisis, the series will be produced by Courteney Cox and David Arquette's Coquette Productions, and was originally pitched as a primetime series for CBS with Craig Ferguson as host. The series was later picked up by FremantleMedia and Debmar-Mercury as a syndicated series for 2014, with Craig Ferguson (who plans to leave his current role at CBS as host of The Late Late Show in December 2014)[1] remaining as host. The series will mark Coquette's first foray into game shows.[2]
Development
In June 2011, it was reported that Courteney Cox and David Arquette's Coquette Productions were preparing to pilot a new, hour-long game show for CBS's primetime lineup known as Identity Crisis, based off a board game of the same name. Scott St. John, known for his work on Deal or No Deal, was brought on as a showrunner.[2][3] CBS had selected Craig Ferguson—host of the network's late night talk show The Late Late Show, to be host and producer for the pilot.[3][4]
The series resurfaced in October 2013 under the title Celebrity Name Game, with the announcement that FremantleMedia and Debmar-Mercury would syndicate the new series for the 2014–15 television season. Fremantle's CEO Thom Beers described Celebrity Name Game as a "hilarious and innovative rapid-fire game show that combines the best of pop culture with the best of comedy." Ferguson remained with the project through its transition to syndication, considering it to be "a wonderful concept with such great potential, from two of my favorite people, Courteney and David." Debmar-Mercury and Fremantle planned to market the new series to station owners as a complement to Family Feud—whose current incarnation, hosted by fellow comedian Steve Harvey, has been a ratings success for the two companies.[2][5] In November 2013, Variety announced that Tribune Broadcasting would pick up Celebrity Name Game for its stations, giving it clearance across 40% of U.S. households and seven of the top ten media markets.[6] In December 2013, it reached 80% of households through additional deals with CBS Television Stations and Sinclair Broadcast Group.[7]
Format
The game will involve two teams, consisting of a civilian player and a celebrity guest, attempting to identify celebrities and fictional characters.[3][5][7]
See also
References
- ^ "Ferguson to leave CBS' 'Late Late Show'". USA Today. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "Craig Ferguson to Host Syndicated Game Show 'Celebrity Name Game'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "Courteney Cox, David Arquette Sell Game Show Pilot to CBS (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Craig Ferguson Talks Latenight Moves, New Game Show at NATPE". Variety. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ a b "Craig Ferguson to Host Game Show from Courteney Cox, David Arquette". Variety. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Tribune Stations Grab 'Celebrity Name Game' from Debmar-Mercury". Variety. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ a b "'Celebrity Name Game' Clears in 80 Percent of U.S." The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
