NBC may bring back 'I'm a Celebrity'

NBC is looking to adapt the hit British series “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”

The network is in late-stage negotiations with Granada America for another stateside reincarnation of the U.K. format, first tackled by ABC six years ago when it launched a short-lived U.S. version.

Details on the potential NBC version of “I’m a Celebrity” are still under wraps. The U.K. original has celebrities living in harsh tropical conditions and competing in challenges to earn rewards such as food and other basic comforts. One by one, the players are evicted.

“I’m a Celebrity” would be produced by Granada, with NBC looking at a summer launch. Sources say the network is considering an usual scheduling strategy, running the show as a weekday strip (which is how it airs in the UK) instead of a once-a-week program. At least a dozen episodes are expected.

The reality show would be right in the wheel house of Brit Paul Telegdy, NBC’s new executive vp of alternative. The former head of BBC Worldwide Prods. was behind the U.S. adaptation of another U.K. reality hit with ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” At NBC, he recently greenlighted another U.K. format, the genealogy show “Who Do You Think You Are?”

ABC’s “I’m a Celebrity” came in the wake of CBS’ game-changing success with “Survivor.” Comparisons between the two shows plagued the ABC launch, resulting in CBS filing an unsuccessful lawsuit claiming copyright infringement. Also, U.S. audiences back then were used to casts of relatable unknowns in broadcast reality competition series, which were emphasizing real-life intensity, while U.K. audiences had already widely embraced the lighter mixture of celebrities and reality contests with “Celebrity Big Brother.”

Since then, “I’m a Celebrity” has spread internationally and remained one of the most popular reality shows in the U.K., recently enjoying one of its most-watched seasons, while celebrity-stocked unscripted fare such as “Dancing With the Stars” and “Celebrity Apprentice” has gained widespread acceptance in the U.S.

“I’m a Celebrity’s” most recent eighth season on ITV featured Americans Martina Navratilova and George Takei.

Comments

[roa]

it is like NBC *wants* to get bad ratings.

[Tony]

Seriously, are they even trying over there? I can't believe how far NBC has fallen. I am no expert but I could run the network better. I'm amazed at it's decisions as of late.

BTW are they promoting Kings at all? Perhaps I never see it. This looks to be one of the few quality shows NBC has signed on in the last 2 years and it's going to die in low ratings on this horrible network. (except for Chuck and The Office).

[Zedman]

The show aired as a primetime strip on ABC for two weeks. What would be unusual about this.

[Marc]

Dude, I'd much rather see Deal or no Deal than this. I don't know why they don't just show deal every night at 8. It's better than all the s#$% they have on now.