FMNA & DEBMAR-MERCURY TEAM WITH JUDGE JUDY ON SUMMER TEST OF "IWITNESS"
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) and Debmar-Mercury today announced they will collaborate with co-production partner Judge Judy Sheindlin's Queen Bee Prods. on a six-week summer test for game show iWitness (working title). Hosted by comedian John Henson (Wipeout, Talk Soup), the syndicated series is set to launch July 10 on select FOX O&Os in top markets, including New York.
The fast-paced game show, created by Sheindlin (Judge Judy, Hot Bench), will feature three contestants on each half-hour episode facing off to test their powers of observation. Contestants' ability to recall what they've just witnessed will be tested through video clips and images spanning the media landscape. The winner will have a chance to advance to the final round and compete for a $20,000 grand prize.
Frank Cicha, SVP of programming for FOX Television Stations, said, "Fremantle and Debmar bring us Family Feud, Judy Sheindlin is all over our stations with her smash program. Let's go!"
Scott St. John (Match Game, Celebrity Name Game, Deal or No Deal) will serve as showrunner of iWitness which, in success, FremantleMedia North America and Debmar-Mercury would launch nationally in fall 2018. Debmar-Mercury would handle domestic distribution and FremantleMedia international distribution.
Jennifer Mullin, Co-CEO, FremantleMedia North America, said "The best game show formats are simple, entertaining and engaging. This series, created by Judge Judy, offers just that. We're excited to be partnering with Judy and our friends at Debmar-Mercury as we test this series with FOX Television Stations this summer."
Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of Lionsgate-owned Debmar-Mercury, commented, "Judy's phenomenal track record of success in television and on the bench has absolutely nothing to do with luck. She is brilliant and has struck once again with her latest ingenious concept - a highly addictive and entertaining game show format that we believe has strong potential to live on for many years to come. We are thrilled to be in business with her, and to once again team up with our friends and partners at FOX and Fremantle."
Judge Judy Sheindlin presides over the number one syndicated program in the U.S, which is licensed in 149 international markets around the world. Her Emmy award-winning program has celebrated 21 years on television. Prior to helming Judge Judy, she was the supervising judge in New York Family Court. In addition to Judge Judy, her production company, Queen Bee, with her producing partner Casey Barber, created and co-produces Hot Bench, now in its third successful season.
She said, "So thrilled to embark on a new adventure with such fabulous partners. iWitness is a compelling game for those from 5-95. A special thanks to my friends at FOX for giving us a platform."
The project marks the latest collaboration between Debmar-Mercury and FremantleMedia North America. FMNA is the leading producer in the game show genre, with a slate of record-breaking and award-winning series including The Price Is Right, Let's Make A Deal, Match Game, To Tell The Truth, Celebrity Family Feud and the top-rated game show in syndication, Family Feud, which Debmar-Mercury distributes.
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