Here is what Bravo is saying:
Bravo's summer debut of "Battle of the Network Reality Stars" will take some of today's biggest stars - 32 leading men and women from 16 reality TV shows - and pit them against each other as they test their athletic limits in honor of the hit series from the 70's. The six episode one-hour series originating from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California will premiere on Wednesday, August 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
"Bravo continues to bring talent to television in an unexpected way with this summer's signature series that will bring to viewers the 'real' TV stars of today," said Lauren Zalaznick, President, Bravo. "Reality stars have taken the place of the sitcom stars of yesteryear and have made an impact on pop culture by providing laughter, tears and drama through their real life TV antics. Bravo's 'Battle of the Network Reality Stars' will unite the stars of the most recognized reality shows to infuse some good old-fashioned fun in this modern revival of a classic program from TV pop culture history."
Sideline reporters include Omarosa Manigault Stallworth from "The Apprentice," Bob Guiney from "The Bachelor," and Trishelle Cannatella from "The Real World," who will join the program's play-by-play host Mike Adamle, former host of NBC Sports and "American Gladiators."
The reality TV stars battling it out for cash and prizes include:
Chip & Kim and Charla & Myrna from the "The Amazing Race"
Nikki McKibbin and Ryan Starr from "American Idol"
Brittany Brower from "Americas Next Top Model"
Heidi Bressler and Bradford Cohen from the "The Apprentice"
Adam Mesh from "Average Joe"
Tina "Fabulous" Panas from "The Bachelor"
Will Kirby (winner) and Mike "Boogie" Malin from "Big Brother"
Evan Marriott from "Joe Millionaire"
Matt Kennedy Gould from "The Joe Schmo Show"
Wendy Pepper from "Project Runway"
Coral Smith and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin from "The Real World"
Theo Gantt from "Road Rules"
Duncan Nutter from "Showbiz Moms & Dads"
Richard Hatch (winner) and Susan Hawk from "Survivor"
Rachel Love Frasier (winner) from "The Swan"
Valerie Penso from "Temptation Island"
And more to be announced.
Cameos by original "Battle" participants who will play the role of referees include Loretta Swit from "M*A*S*H," Lou Ferrigno from "The Incredible Hulk," and Jimmie "JJ" Walker from "Good Times."
Nearly 30 years after its 1976 debut, Bravo will resurrect the wildly popular concept behind the original "Battle of the Network Stars," which was hosted by sports broadcasting legend Howard Cosell and featured notable competitors such as Billy Crystal, Farrah Fawcett, David Letterman, and Heather Locklear. Just as Katherine Bach of Daisy Duke fame got dunked repeatedly in the original battle, you'll see Richard Hatch and Susan Hawk of "Survivor" get dunked in the new series.
The updated format of the much-loved series is complete with teams of sweat suit and Speedo-clad reality stars that will partake in physical and aggressively competitive challenges reminiscent of the original program. TV's most cherished and loathed reality stars will compete in a joust, navigate a kayak race, and battle it out in the famed tug-of-war, among other challenges. In a nod to today's reality shows, twists and turns along the way force team members to vote each other off, create alliances, and generate unending drama and tears.
TWI, the global television division of IMG, produces the show for Bravo. TWI's Executive Producers for "Battle of the Network Reality Stars" are Robert Horowitz and Steve Mayer.
TWI is the largest independent producer, packager and distributor of sports programming in the world, producing and distributing over 6,500 hours of original programming annually to more than 200 countries covering 200+ sports. While the strength of TWI's worldwide sports coverage is unrivaled, the company has recently expanded into award-winning documentary and reality programming.
In recent years, TWI has produced the Peabody Award-winning Colour of War for The History Channel and the Emmy-nominated Christopher Reeve documentary Courageous Steps. Fall 2004 saw the launch of two TWI reality series, I'd Do Anything, an ESPN series that questions how far a contestant would be willing to go for their loved ones in pursuit of the ultimate sports fantasy and Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model, on Bravo. TWI also produced the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting for NBC. A division of international sports agency IMG, TWI also manages the world's largest independent sports archive library, housing over 150,000 hours of programming.
Bravo is the cable network that plugs people into arts, culture and pop culture with original programming, movies and by showing a whole different side of celebrities. Currently available in more than 79 million homes, Bravo is known for breaking exciting new personalities, shaking up the way we look at style, media, fame and Hollywood, pulling back the curtain on the creative process and making influential and inventive original programming. Its critically acclaimed and award-winning original programming includes "Inside the Actors Studio," "Celebrity Poker Showdown," "Project Greenlight," as well as the 2004 Emmy winner for Outstanding Reality Program, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The network's other hits include "Project Runway," "Blow Out" and "Sports Kids Moms & Dads."
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