GSN Reveals Two New Strips at Upfront

Home , America Says, Cover Story (TV program), Snap Decision, Winsanity

03.26.2018

At its upfront Monday GSN (Game Show Network) revealed plans for two new strip series, renewed Snap Decision, and picked up docuseries special Cover Story, which launched in January.

The new greenlit projects-both with working titles and set to debut in the summer-include America Says, an in-studio game where two teams of friends and family face off to match survey responses with fill in the blanks; and Caroline & Friends, hosted by actor and comedian Caroline Rhea (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), that showcases some of the most hilarious and adorable videos from around the web.

GSN will also air more episodes throughout the year of Cover Story, a one-hour documentary series of specials that looks at the memorable moments and outrageous scandals in and around the most popular game shows. The series debuted in January, along with short-form sweepstakes program Game Show Network Daily Draw, hosted by comedian Trish Suhr, which is also on the lineup.

And back for a second season will be freshman hit, Snap Decision, hosted by David Alan Grier (The Carmichael Show) that puts preconceptions, first impressions, and gut instinct to the ultimate test. It's co-produced by Tornante-Sinclair LLC and GSN. Executive producers are Scott St. John, Lauren Corrao and John Quinn.

GSN also renewed Divided, part game show, part social experiment, hosted by Mike Richards; (The Price is Right, Let's Make A Deal) and the numerical fact stacking game show Winsanity, hosted by Donald Faison (Scrubs).

The new programming follows a strong year for GSN, which added more than 16 million new viewers in 2017, according to the network. GSN also saw a 66 percent year-over-year- increase in engagement on Facebook, with viewership nearing its highest levels across all social media channels in all key demographics.

"GSN is the home for engaging game show programming that attracts high value consumers looking for a family environment filled with winning and fun," said Fran Shea, executive vice president, programming and marketing for GSN, in a statement. "Developing and producing new strip programming provides our loyal audience with a viewing destination they've come to expect and feel comfortable with, as GSN is an essential part of their daily routine."

Under Shea's leadership, since October the network has pivoted back to traditional game show formats and scheduling, mirroring syndicated game shows by "stripping" series across all five weeknights, Adweek reports.

"Game shows are meant to be watched in strips. You don't have Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! on a Tuesday night; it's on every night. That's what this audience really likes," Shea told the publication.

GNS also revealed three shows that are in development:

Catch My Bluff is a studio-based game show where contestants make up fake answers to trivia questions to try to trick other contestants; Movin' Money (working title) is an ambush game show where riders on a pedal tavern play trivia and get booted off the bicycle-powered bar for too many incorrect answers; and Mall Madness (working title), a shopping spree game show in the Mall of America where unsuspecting shoppers can trade points they win from correctly answering shopping-related trivia questions into cash.

"Our audience is a group of prolific consumers. The insights we have harvested on their behaviors and habits will help inform our clients' investment on GSN," said John Zaccario, executive vice president, ad sales for GSN, in a statement. "The definition of premium is evolving and these insights, coupled with attribution data make the case for increased investment on GSN."

Below is a more in-depth look what's new on the programming and development front at GSN: New Series

America Says (working title)

An in-studio game where two teams of friends and family face off to match survey responses with fill in the blanks that cover every topic under the sun. They'll have to be quick when trying to think of what America says, as time is always ticking and the team with the most money banked after three rounds will head to a bonus round to see if they can guess even more survey responses to win extra cash and prizes. The show is based on a format by Entertainment One. Tara Long and Mark Herwick of Entertainment One (eOne) and Dave Noll and Cleve Keller of Keller/Noll serve as producers. Host to be announced at a later date.

Caroline & Friends (working title)

A family-friendly series showcasing the most hilarious and adorable videos from around the web, and hosted by actor and comedian Caroline Rhea (Sabrina The Teenage Witch). She guides the audience through each animal, kid and funny viral video, provides lighthearted conversation and commentary with her two comedic, celebrity friends. Caroline and her companions then nominate their favorites and ultimately pick the 'best in show,' earning the family who submitted the video a special prize. The show is produced by Vin Di Bona of Fishbowl Worldwide Media. Rob Katz also serves as executive producer.

Cover Story

The one-hour documentary series of specials looks at the fascinating personalities, memorable moments and outrageous scandals in and around the most popular games shows of all time. Each episode seeks to reveal the true story with behind-the-scenes footage, in-depth, never-before-seen interviews and updates on where they are now as well as the drama that touched the lives of stars, challengers, winners, contestants and characters involved in the long history of game play on television and beyond. Cover Story is produced by Brent Zacky and Michael Spierer of Ashley Oaks Media.

Game Show Network Daily Draw

Short-form sweepstakes program Game Show Network Daily Draw, which premiered January 30, turns network viewers into winners with a weeknight drawing hosted by comedian Trish Suhr. Coming to viewers from GSN's headquarters in Santa Monica, CA, a $500 winner is announced each night with the draw celebrated by special guests from the world of game shows, comedians and entertainment icons. Game Show Network Daily Draw is produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network.

In Development

Catch My Bluff

A studio-based game show where contestants must make up fake answers to trivia questions, in the hopes that their fellow contestants will fall for their bluffs instead of picking the real answer. After three rounds, the top scorer will face a fast-paced end game to see if they can pick out the host's bluffs to earn even more cash. Catch My Bluff is produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC and executive produced by Grant Taylor.

Movin' Money (working title)

An ambush game show where unsuspecting riders on a pedal tavern, a bar powered by bicycles pedaled by the patrons, will end up playing bar trivia on wheels as they attempt to bank cash by answering trivia and hope not to be booted off the ride for too many incorrect answers. Movin' Money is produced by Trevor O'Neil, Margaret Miller and Shannon Houchins for Hideout Pictures.

Mall Madness (working title)

A shopping spree game show set in the Mall of America where unsuspecting shoppers are given the opportunity to trade the points they win from answering shopping-related trivia questions into spendable cash. The show is produced by Dee Haslam, Rob Lundgren and Lori Stryer of RIVR Media.