NBC is reportedly interested in reviving I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!
ADVERTISEMENT
The network is in negotiations with Granada America to produce its own version of the Survivor-like U.K. celebrity reality series that was first brought stateside by ABC in 2003, The Hollywood Reporter reported Wednesday.
While details on the possible NBC version are unknown the network is reportedly looking to order 12 episodes of the series and air it this summer, according to The Reporter.
ABC's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! version stranded 10 celebrities in an Australian rain forest and aired live over the course of 15 consecutive nights.
During the first week of the competition, home viewers voted for one celebrity to participate in a challenge to win extra food and luxuries for the rest of the group. In the final week, the celebrity who received the least number of viewer votes each night was forced to leave. The series was eventually won by dancer and Jennifer Lopez ex-husband Cris Judd.
ADVERTISEMENT
Due to its similarities to Survivor, CBS filed a lawsuit against ABC claiming copyright infringement. While CBS lost the lawsuit, ABC did not renew the series for a second season.
Similar to ABC's edition, NBC is considering airing I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! over the course of consecutive nights, sources told The Reporter.
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! potential return isn't that surprising given former BBC Worldwide America executive Paul Telegdy replaced Craig Plestis as NBC's executive vice president of alternative programming in December.
Telegdy was previously responsible for the U.S. adaptation of Dancing with the Stars and served as a producer on the series. Since taking over at NBC, he has already ordered an American version of the U.K. reality series Who Do You Think You Are?, which was originally scheduled to debut in April but is now expected to air this summer.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio