LeBron James ‘The Wall’ Game Show Gets A ‘Sneak Peek’ Before January Debut On NBC
LeBron James’ new game show, The Wall, is coming to NBC next January, but viewers will get a “sneak peek” of the new series on December 19. While ABC found good fortune last summer airing new versions of classic TV game shows like To Tell the Truth, Match Game, and $10,000 Pyramid, NBC hopes to do the same with something new. NBA star LeBron James serves as executive producer for The Wall, a show that has nothing to do with basketball. James will not be hosting the new show either. That honor goes to comedian Chris Hardwick.
The Wall is a new product from James’ and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Entertainment and James says that it’s different from anything else on TV currently.
“It’s got everything — excitement, drama, and action — and it’s something the entire family can watch and root for together,” James told Variety last year.
“I believe Chris Hardwick brings all of that together in a really entertaining way that people will enjoy. For SpringHill Entertainment, it’s about creating quality and innovative content for all types of audiences, and I’m proud of the exciting projects we continue to be a part of.”
All that stands between you and $12 million is… #TheWall! Coming soon to @NBC. pic.twitter.com/XxcMmusOTo
— The Wall (@NBCTheWall) May 15, 2016
In what some might be another case of more style than substance, The Wall serves as the show’s game board which will stand four stories tall and will resemble The Price Is Right’s “Plinko” game. The NBC press release says that “The Wall was built for one purpose: To change everyday people’s lives in an instant.”
The Wall is being pitched as a show that will feature a pair of deserving contestants who will be given the chance to win “life-altering” prizes. “The rules are simple,” says NBC. “Get a question correct and a green ball will fall down the wall and add the value of the slot to the players’ winning total. Miss a question and an ominous red ball will fall and deduct the value from the team. Teammates have to work together to build a huge cash prize.”
Like Plinko, the direction that the balls will go down the board is unpredictable. One moment a contestant will be scoring greatly and then lose it all during the next play. The game will get tougher as it goes on as one contestant will be taken away and housed in an isolation room behind the wall and the two will not be able to communicate.
The Wall’s host appears to be just an unpredictable as Chris Hardwick is not only a stand-up comedian, but he is also an actor, voice artist, writer, producer, podcaster, and musician and The Wall is not his first game show gig either. He has hosted Comedy Cental’s @midnight with Chris Hardwick, but he is looking forward to this new role.
“I love game shows, and partnering with LeBron James and NBC to potentially give away millions of dollars to people who deserve it is an incredible opportunity. (I’m sorry, NBC, I’m hoping to give away a lot of your money)” says Hardwick. His other recent work includes serving as the chief executive officer of Nerdist Industries, hosting the Talking Dead podcast, and voicing the character Craig in Nickelodeon’s Sanjay and Craig.
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‘The Wall’: NBC Sets Premiere Date For Game Show From EPs Chris Hardwick & LeBron James – Deadline https://t.co/ney1swc5Qm
— LeBron James view (@LeBronJamesview) November 14, 2016
Other than Hollywood Game Night, NBC hasn’t had a successful prime game show in some time. The peacock network has chosen to feature more completion series like the recent Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge, The Biggest Loser, Food Fighters, and America’s Got Talent instead.
The Wall will air a sneak preview on December 19 following NBC’s America’s Got Talent: Holiday Spectacular special before airing for the first time on January 2 which follows the premiere of The New Celebrity Apprentice with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
[Featured Image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]
