truTV Cues Up More "Killer Karaoke," with New Host Mark McGrath

Network Orders Eight Episodes of Outrageous Singing Competition Series Slated to Return in Early 2014

It's time for aspiring singers to start warming up their vocal cords - not to mention their courage. truTV is bringing back Killer Karaoke, the outrageous singing competition series that challenges contestants to sing a hit song while enduring the most hilarious and unexpected physical challenges imaginable. The man putting the singers through the ringer will be new host Mark McGrath (Don't Forget the Lyrics!, Extra). truTV has ordered eight additional episodes of Killer Karaoke, bringing its first-season total to 16. Production on the new episodes is set to begin in October in Los Angeles, with the series return slated for early 2014.

Killer Karaoke, which the New York Times cheekily hailed as "the greatest show in television history," hits all the wrong notes in the best possible way. Each week on this twisted competition show, contestants attempt to sing songs while facing extreme and sometimes skin-crawling obstacles guaranteed to tap into their worst fears.

This year, Killer Karaoke is going to up the ante with a fresh, new format. Each episode's competition will begin with six contestants singing an opening number, after which they will be ranked based on a scoring system. The highest-ranking players will earn advantages throughout the show, such as deciding who goes first, picking their challenges and sometimes even choosing what obstacles their opponent will face. But the ultimate goal is winning over the audience, who will be voting throughout the competition.

When all is "sung and done," the top two contestants must face each other - as well as their biggest fears - in a final head-to-head battle. The singer with the highest score will then win the weekly cash prize of up to $10,000.

Inspired in part by Zodiak Media's international television hit Sing If You Can, truTV's Killer Karaoke created a great deal of buzz when it premiered in November 2012. The series is produced by Zodiak USA, with Tony Yates and James Rowley serving as executive producers.

Mark McGrath

As lead singer/songwriter for Sugar Ray, Mark McGrath can lay claim to a stunning string of Top 10 hits, several multi-platinum albums - including the RIAA 3x platinum certified 14:59 - and countless sold-out performances. Where that would be enough for most artists, McGrath has also proven an effervescent and ever-present pop culture personality.

With his innate wit, easy charm, and encyclopedic knowledge of pop culture, McGrath has turned out to be a natural television personality. Among his many credits, he co-hosted the entertainment news program Extra, as well as numerous series and specials like The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, NBC's Radio Music Awards, MTV's Rock N' Jock, the annual World Music Awards, two seasons of The CW's The Pussycat Dolls Present and the nationally syndicated Don't Forget The Lyrics! A three-time champion on VH1's Rock & Roll Jeopardy, McGrath has also appeared on such hugely successful series as American Idol, The Celebrity Apprentice (Season 4), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, FCU: Fact Checkers Unit, Celebrity Wife Swap and the penultimate episode of NBC's The Office.

More than two decades since first stepping into the spotlight, the multi-talented McGrath is busier than ever before. Leading the charge is his upcoming solo debut, as well as his role as founder and host of Under The Sun, the annual summer festival tour showcasing the biggest and brightest stars of the halcyon '90s. Now blissfully married and father to twins, McGrath's admirably debauched rock star lifestyle has given way to a laser beam focus on his own past, present and future.

About Zodiak USA

Zodiak USA is a division of Zodiak Americas, the North, Central and South American operation for Zodiak Media. Based in Los Angeles and led by Chief Executive Officer Tony Yates, Zodiak USA produces across all genres, including series such as Secret Millionaire (ABC), Wife Swap (ABC), Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC) and Killer Karaoke (truTV). Zodiak USA's parent company, Zodiak Media, owns more than 45 production companies in over 20 territories. Zodiak Rights, the international distribution and rights exploitation arm of Zodiak Media, represents a catalog of over 20,000 hours of content across all genres including kids, drama, factual and entertainment.

About truTV

truTV, one of cable's fastest growing brands, offers a wildly entertaining look at the real world through outrageous characters, unpredictable situations and irreverent storytelling. Currently seen in 92 million U.S. households, truTV features such popular original series as Hardcore Pawn, Hardcore Pawn: Chicago, Impractical Jokers, Killer Karaoke, Lizard Lick Towing, Upload with Shaquille O'Neal, Guinness World Records Unleashed, Storage Hunters, Operation Repo, Full Throttle Saloon, South Beach Tow and World's Dumbest, as well as the acquired hit Wipeout. In addition, truTV is a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

truTV is a part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.