or


[07/16/07 - 11:37 AM]
NBC Announces Deal with World-Renowned Mystifier Criss Angel and Famed Mentalist Uri Geller for 'Phenomenon,' Controversial New Live Competition Series That Will Lead Search for the Next Great Mentalist
The pair will tem for "a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist."
[via press release from NBC]

NBC ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH WORLD-RENOWNED MYSTIFIER CRISS ANGEL AND FAMED MENTALIST URI GELLER FOR 'PHENOMENON,' CONTROVERSIAL NEW LIVE COMPETITION SERIES THAT WILL LEAD SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT MENTALIST

NBC ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH WORLD-RENOWNED MYSTIFIER CRISS ANGEL AND FAMED MENTALIST URI GELLER FOR 'PHENOMENON,' CONTROVERSIAL NEW LIVE COMPETITION SERIES THAT WILL LEAD SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT MENTALIST

BURBANK - July 16, 2007 - NBC has signed a series deal with mystifier/artist Criss Angel ("Criss Angel Mindfreak") and famed mentalist Uri Geller for "Phenomenon" (working title) -- a mysterious live competition series in which both men will conduct an intensive search for the next great mentalist. The announcement was made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"The match-up of two world-famous personalities, Uri Geller and Criss Angel -- who have demonstrated astounding skills -- makes for a riveting series format," said Silverman. "Factor in the mystery of the genre, the live competitive angle as the contestants attempt to follow in Criss and Uri's footsteps, and incredible interactive applications, and we think viewers will have many compelling reasons to watch."

The series, based on a successful Israeli version judged and monitored by Geller which achieved a historical record-breaking viewing audience, tests 10 hopeful mentalists who must compete each week to demonstrate a wide spectrum of mystifying talents on a panel of weekly celebrity guests who participate along with a studio audience. Geller and Angel will assess the contestants and offer their unfiltered opinions. Ultimately, the winner's fate will be determined by the viewers at home.

The visually arresting Angel is the creator, director and star of his self-titled, alternative cable series, "Criss Angel MINDFREAK" which is currently wrapping post production on its third remarkable and critically acclaimed season.

In addition, Angel created and starred in two top-reviewed cable television specials, 2002's "Criss Angel MINDFREAK" and 2003's "Criss Angel: Supernatural." He has been the featured guest-star on both NBC's "Las Vegas" and "CSI: New York." Angel also has appeared on countless talk shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "Larry King Live" and "Late Night With Conan O'Brien." In the summer of 2008, Angel will team up with Cirque du Soleil for a live magic experience at the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas that is slated to run for ten years and over 4600 shows.

Geller soared to international fame by claiming extreme mind-over-matter abilities that aroused much controversy to this day in his hundreds of TV shows across the globe -- particularly the ability to bend spoons, among others. He was instrumental in creating the first interactive TV show worldwide when mysteriously objects bent in people's homes and broken watches came alive.

"Phenomenon" is a Granada America/Keshet Broadcasting/Kuperman Productions co-production in association with SevenOne International. SevenOne International controls the worldwide rights to the program.





  [july 2007]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· CRISS ANGEL: MINDFREAK (A AND E)
· CSI: NEW YORK (CBS)
· LAS VEGAS (NBC)
· OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, THE (SYNDICATION)
· PHENOMENON (NBC)




[10/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
AspireTV to Premiere "A Memorable Christmas" Dec. 4
Asia'h Epperson, Mike Merrill, Kamel Goffin, and Stephen Cofield Jr. star in the movie.
[10/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
Prime Video Orders Untitled Karen Read Series from Justin Noble, Inspired by the Hit Law&Crime and Audible Original Podcast Series "Karen," Starring and Executive Produced by Four-Time Emmy Nominee Elizabeth Banks
The series follows the trial that captivated the country and turned Read into a household name.
[10/08/26 - 08:54 AM]
FOX Nation Set to Premiere "Houdini: Back from the Dead," Marking Platform's First Full-Length Project Created Entirely with AI-Generated Imagery
The new three-part series will premiere Wednesday, October 14.
[10/08/26 - 08:22 AM]
HBO Original Series "City of God: The Fight Rages On" Returns for Its Second Season November 8
The new season examines the impact of escalating violence, political corruption, and community resistance as it explores the complex dynamics between crime, politics, justice, and culture.
[10/08/26 - 08:13 AM]
Food Network Unwraps Its Most Delicious Holiday Season Yet
Highlights include new seasons of "Holiday Baking Championship," "Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking," "Tournament of Champions: All-Star Christmas" and "Beat Bobby Flay: Holiday Throwdown."
[10/08/26 - 08:10 AM]
Video: "Leonard and Hungry Paul" - Official Trailer - Now Streaming - Wonder Project
Meet Leonard and Hungry Paul. Two quiet friends find joy in the little things in this warm, gentle series narrated by Julia Roberts.
[10/08/26 - 08:09 AM]
NFL Stars Ryan Fitzpatrick and Vince Wilfork Face Off in the Ultimate Food Showdown in Discovery Channel's All-New "Men v. Food"
Co-hosted by NFL superstars Ryan Fitzpatrick and Vince Wilfork, the series reimagines the fan-favorite classic with a serving of epic new food challenges and adventures across America's biggest football cities.

[10/08/26 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Bill Murray Tees Off in Official Trailer and Key Art for Paramount+'a "A Course Called Ireland"
The six-part documentary series featuring Bill Murray and author Tom Coyne playing their way across some of Ireland's most legendary golf courses.

[10/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils 2026-27 Men's College Basketball Slate Headlined by National Championship Rematch & Marquee Big East and Big 12 Showdowns
The 67-game slate across TNT, truTV and HBO Max features 21 teams in NCAA.com college basketball insider Andy Katz's preseason Power 44, with 16 matchups between ranked teams.
[10/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "The Altruists" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Young, idealistic and suddenly worth billions, they tried to do good - but unleashed the worst in each other. A toxic love story inspired by a real fraud.
[10/08/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV Debuts Un-fore-gettable Trailer for the Second Season of Sports Comedy "Stick"
The 10-episode second season premieres Wednesday, November 4, 2026 with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until December 30, 2026 on Apple TV.
[10/08/26 - 06:05 AM]
Video: Prime Video Unveils Official Teaser and Announces Launch Date for its New Film "Storm," Starring Bach Buquen and Clara Pacini
The film will be available on January 15, 2027, exclusively on Prime Video, in France and in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
[10/08/26 - 06:01 AM]
Netflix and Shondaland Announce New "Bridgerton" Spinoff Series Based on Beloved Matriarch Lady Violet
Similar to the massive global hit "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," the series will chronicle the early life of a young Lady Violet and tell the story of her romance with Viscount Edmund Bridgerton.
[10/08/26 - 06:01 AM]
CBS and Nickelodeon Announce Multiplatinum Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist Alex Warren as Host of 2026 "Kids' Choice Awards" ("KCAs"), Live on Saturday, Nov. 14
Taylor Swift leads all individual nominees (6), followed by Ariana Grande (5) and Sabrina Carpenter (5).
[10/08/26 - 06:01 AM]
Apple TV Lands Crime Drama "Dustfall" Starring Anna Torv
"Dustfall" is a propulsive, atmospheric tropic noir that follows a seasoned detective, Antigone "Tig" Pollard (Torv) whose deep sense of justice is challenged by a world where victims are doubted, predators hide in plain sight and the legal system too often falls short.