or


[05/28/08 - 12:06 PM]
Ten American Players Announced for "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," Premiering Tuesday, June 24 on Abc
The final winner will take home $250,000.

[via press release from ABC]

TEN AMERICAN PLAYERS ANNOUNCED FOR "I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW," PREMIERING TUESDAY, JUNE 24 ON ABC

"I Survived a Japanese Game Show" has completed shooting in Japan for a premiere TUESDAY, JUNE 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC. This unscripted reality/game show takes an eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at 10 Americans (listed below) � many of whom have never traveled outside the United States -- who were whisked away to Japan to compete in the ultimate Japanese game show�with hilarious results. The final winner will take home $250,000.

Guiding the American players through their stay in Japan will be host/interpreter Tony Sano ("Touch Wood," "Beating Vegas"), an American actor fluent in Japanese; a house mother and resident pot-stirrer, Mamasan; and the witty game show host Rome Kanda ("Pink Panther," "Saturday Night Live"), who leads the contestants through all of the zany challenges.

The ten players are:

MARY GREENAWALT (23) Occupation: Gym membership sales rep Matthews, North Carolina Education: BFA Acting With her bright red hair and devil-may-care attitude, Mary is the epitome of a fireball. Admittedly vain, this vixen has a healthy love of herself and a low opinion of others. She's incredibly silly and relies on her pixieish charm to get by, and even gets paid for being a "party motivator" -- a job tailor made for this wild child.

ANDREW KELLY-HAYES (28) Occupation: Radio sales consultant Boston, Massachusetts Education: BA Journalism/Communication With his hilarious stories and off-the-wall energy, this flip flop-wearing funnyman could be a long-lost Belushi brother. Whether he's schmoozing old ladies at Bingo, harassing strangers while on "Smile Patrol" or joining his college cheerleading team to meet hot girls, Andrew has a reputation for being a nut.

BELINDA MADISON (38) Occupation: Veterinarian Charlotte, North Carolina Education: BS in Marine Science and DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) This independent, career focused woman is a feisty veterinarian who puts making money and friends before any romantic relationships. Belinda's confidence is evident in her vivacious and spunky -- yet poised -- persona.

CATHY NARDONE (21) Occupation: Affiliate manager Staten Island, New York Education: Bachelors Degree Happily born and raised in Staten Island, New York, Cathy is "Staten Island for life" with no plans or desires to ever leave. This brutally honest tough chick has a mouth like a sailor and will "swear to God" she's not to be messed with in the slightest.

DARCY SLETAGER (31) Occupation: Photo editor Sandpoint, Idaho Education: BFA Visual Arts This small town, single mom is in desperate need of an escape from her lackluster life of the cubicles and from the dating scene of Sandpoint, Idaho. Always putting her kids first, Darcy feels it's time to take herself off the back burner and get back to the fiery blonde she used to be.

DONNELL PITMAN (32) Occupation: Real estate appraiser Chicago, Illinois Although Donnell is usually loud and energetic, this "All American" dad is struggling to provide for his family and fulfill his shattered dreams of playing pro football. Donnell has competition coursing through his veins and would love the opportunity to prove to his family that he can be greater than what they've seen so far.

JUSTIN WOOD (24) Occupation: Financial representative Trussville, Alabama Education: Attending Community College Charming and good looking, Justin describes himself as a "divine, fine and genuine-grade-A piece of southern beast." A true southern gentleman, complete with the "twang," Justin is a fish-loving, hunting, girl-chasing guru at heart.

MEAGHAN COOPER (22) Occupation: Bartender San Antonio, Texas Education: AA degree Despite being born and raised in San Antonio, Meaghan is the spitting image of a blonde California Valley girl. Hot, ditzy and free-spirited, she uses her sex appeal to her advantage in both her work and personal life. And, of course, she loves to be the center of attention.

OLGA MEDVEDEV (26) Occupation: Waitress Medford, Massachusetts Education: BA in Broadcast Journalism Olga's "don't-mess-with-me attitude" comes off quite abrasive, if you're not ready for it, but who can blame her, coming from a Russian family with eight brothers? Not easily forgotten, this opinionated waitress is hilarious and comical with her "tell it like it is" way of life.

BEN HUGHES (44) Occupation: Punxsutawney Phil's handler / hospital VP Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania Education: MS Human Resources He's lovable, he's comical, admittedly in the midst of a mid-life crisis, and he's the official handler of Punxsutawney Phil, the ground hog. Who wouldn't fall in love with this modest, cheerful and quirky character?

Some of the games/challenges will include:

WHY IS THIS FOOD SO HARD TO EAT? -- Why? Because the food is attached to the head of a teammate who must run in place on a fast-moving treadmill, while the first teammate leans over a platform and tries to eat from the moving dish.

CRAZY CRANE FINDS FLUFFY BEAR -- This takes the American arcade game to the next level, as blindfolded teammates must operate a moving crane while another teammate precariously dangles trying to collect as many stuffed animals as he/she can.

CHICKEN BUTT SCRAMBLE -- The contestants create their own version of Japanese scrambled eggs as they attempt to smash goo-filled oversized eggs with only their butts� while wearing chicken suits.

The executive producers are Arthur Smith and Kent Weed (A. Smith & Co., "Kitchen Nightmares," "Hell's Kitchen"), David Sidebotham, Karsten Bartholin and Tim Crescenti, from a concept by Babyfoot APS Denmark.





  [may 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX)
· I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW (ABC)
· KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (FOX)





[05/20/26 - 12:02 PM]
"A Woman of Substance": Brenda Blethyn Limited Series Marks BritBox's Next Prestige Period Drama
Other June premieres include new seasons of "Beyond Paradise" and "Trigger Point."

[05/20/26 - 11:01 AM]
Video: HBO Releases Official Trailer for Original Film "Miss You, Love You," Debuting May 29
A blunt, grieving widow, Diane Patterson (Allison Janney) is forced to plan her husband's funeral with a total stranger: her estranged son's assistant, Jamie Simms (Andrew Rannells).

[05/20/26 - 11:01 AM]
Great American Media Announces New Original, Unscripted Series, "Mark vs. The Mountain," Premiering June 11 on Great American Pure Flix
Meteorologist and former New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Mark Ronchetti, alongside his wife, interior designer, Krysty Ronchetti, star in the new unscripted series.

[05/20/26 - 11:00 AM]
FOX Entertainment Studios Strikes Multi-Year, First-Look Deal with Emmy Award-Winning Comedian, Actor and Producer JB Smoove
Under the partnership, Smoove will serve as executive producer and creative collaborator on an unscripted slate spanning a range of formats and genres.

[05/20/26 - 10:50 AM]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Emmy-Nominated Docuseries, "Raise The Flags", Makes Its Linear Premiere on NFL Network May 25-29
The series delivers a sweeping portrait of the Buccaneers organization - chronicling its rise from humble beginnings to championship glory in the most comprehensive account of franchise history ever produced.

[05/20/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "Michael Jackson: The Verdict" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Told by key players who were inside the courtroom, this three-part comprehensive docuseries dissects the trial of Michael Jackson and his complex legacy.

[05/20/26 - 10:01 AM]
Video: MGM+ Debuts Teaser for "The Westies"
The gritty and kinetic crime drama centers on New York City's infamously violent Irish gang of the same name.

[05/20/26 - 10:00 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights Two New Thrillers for This June
Amber Stevens West and Michael Xavier star in "The Jealous Bride" while Remy Ma leads "Don't Trust the Girls Upstairs."

[05/20/26 - 09:31 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer, Key Art and New Imagery for "Strung"
From director Malcolm D. Lee, a talented violinist takes a prestigious job as a music tutor for the gifted daughter of an influential and enigmatic family.

[05/20/26 - 09:31 AM]
Hit Drama Series "The Testaments" from Creator Bruce Miller and Starring Chase Infiniti, Renewed for a Second Season
Season one is now streaming with the season finale on Wednesday, May 27.

[05/20/26 - 09:01 AM]
A24's "Pillion" Begins Streaming Exclusively on HBO Max June 5
A timid man is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive.

[05/20/26 - 09:01 AM]
AMC Global Media's June Highlights Include "The Vampire Lestat," "You're Killing Me," "Devil in Silver," "Doctor Who" and More
Newly announced premieres include ALLBLK's "Funny Thing About Love" and BBC America's "Wild Spring."

[05/20/26 - 09:00 AM]
The History Channel's Hit Survival Series "Alone" Is Going Global! New Season Premieres June 17
On the heels of the World Cup and for the first time in franchise history, 10 skilled survivalists from around the globe will compete in "Alone: World Championship".

[05/20/26 - 09:00 AM]
Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess to Host "The Tony Awards: Act One"
The two stage-and-screen icons will kick off Broadway's biggest night with the presentation of the first round of Tony Awards during the exciting pre-show telecast.

[05/20/26 - 07:36 AM]
After Record-Setting 2025 Season, "Sunday Night Football" Finishes Fall-Spring TV Season as Primetime's No. 1 Show for Unprecedented 15th Consecutive Year
The series averaged 23.5 million viewers in 2025, marking the show's best-ever viewership - up nearly 1 million viewers from the prior record for the series set a decade ago (22.6 million in 2015 season) and an increase of 9% over the '24 season (21.6 million).