Reality TV Update

ABC’s competition series "Wipeout", the top-rated new series this summer, has been renewed for a second season. The air date for the new episodes has not been set or announced. Starting this Fall, ABC has scheduled another new reality series “Opportunity Knocks” (from executive producer Ashton Kutcher) in the Tuesday @ 8 time slot that Wipeout aired in this Summer. If Opportunity Knocks falters, ABC could be quick to pull the plug with Wipeout waiting in reserve.

Meanwhile FOX will be attempting to capitalize on the Japanese import appeal of "Wipeout" by scheduling a new series entitled "Hole in the Wall" in the Thursday @ 8 anchor position, starting this Fall. Hole, also based on a Japanese concept, will feature two teams competing against each other as they face barrier walls speeding towards them with unusual cut-out-shapes. If the team cannot contort their bodies to fit the shapes, they are released into a pool of water. Brooke Burns ("Dog Eat Dog") and Mark Thompson have been named as co-hosts. Hole will displace The Moment of Truth, which was originally scheduled in the time slot. Truth’s ratings fell significantly in its most recent Spring-Summer airings from its original (American Idol coattails influenced) Winter debut peaks. The Mark L. Wahlberg hosted series has not been cancelled and will return to FOX's schedule after a hiatus.

Fox has also extended the order for its quiz show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” from 13 to 22 episodes in 2008-09. 5th Grader kicks off its third season with a two-hour installment on Thursday, Sept. 5 (before moving to Fridays). It was also recently announced that 5th Grader will be offered in a half hour syndicated strip version beginning in September 2009, also with Jeff Foxworthy hosting.