‘Fear Factor’ will go to contestants’ homes
Although “Fear Factor” doesn’t have a space on NBC’s fall schedule yet, the reality show’s producers know exactly where they’re going: homes across America.
“Fear Factor” will shoot 22 “home invasion” stunts this summer featuring fans who won’t have to leave their homes to eat bugs or perform similarly crazy stunts. Winners will receive a $5,000 Capital One credit card.
The new “Home Invasion” segment is just one of several changes in a retooling of the gross-out reality show. Instead of pitting six individuals against each other, two-person teams will now duke it out for the $50,000 prize.
During the show’s sixth season, “Fear Factor” also will visit exotic locations, including an aircraft carrier, a South American country and the “Psycho” house on the Universal backlot.
FX goes ‘Over There’
FX has scheduled the premiere of its Iraq war drama “Over There” for late July, and if you really like it, you’ll be able to buy the first episode on DVD less than a week later.
“Over There,” which follows a group of soldiers on their first tour of duty in Iraq as well as their families at home, is set to debut July 27. The show, co-created by Chris Gerolmo (“Mississippi Burning”) and Steven Bochco (“NYPD Blue”), will run for 13 weeks at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.
On Aug. 2 – just six days after the premiere – 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment will release a DVD of the premiere episode, which will retail for about $10.
Because of the short lag time, viewers won’t get much extra from the DVD. It will include a featurette on the making of the show, which includes interviews with Bochco, Gerolmo, star Erik Palladino (“ER”) and the show’s technical adviser, Marine Staff Sgt. Thomas Bunch.
Hit the ‘Beach Girls’
Former “West Wing” star Rob Lowe and Julia Ormond (“Legends of the Fall”) will star in Lifetime’s miniseries “Beach Girls” this summer.
The six-hour limited series, based on the novel of the same name by Luanne Rice, follows the relationship forged by three girls in a beachside community as teenagers. They drift apart in adulthood, until the death of one of the three brings her family and the other two girls back together.
Lowe will play the husband of the dead woman, who along with his daughter (Chelsea Hobbs, “Lords of Dogtown”) travels to the beach town of Hubbard’s Point to connect with his wife’s past. Ormond will play another of the three friends.
Chris Carmack (“The O.C.”) has also signed on to the cast, playing a local guy who catches the eye of Hobbs’ character.
“Beach Girls” is set for a two-hour premiere July 31. The remaining four episodes will follow on Sundays through Aug. 28.