Spike TV has ordered two new, distinctive unscripted series, “Bar Rescue” and “Repo Games,” per anounencement made today by Sharon Levy, Spike TV’s executive vice president, original series and animation.
The network will pick up 20 half-hour episodes of “Repo Games” from the producers of MTV’s hit series, “Jersey Shore,” and 10 one-hour episodes of “Bar Rescue” from the producers of “The Biggest Loser.” “Bar Rescue” begins shooting in April while “Repo Games” goes into production in February.
“The guys featured on ‘Bar Rescue’ and ‘Repo Games’ share that same authentic, real-life persona that will resonate with Spike’s expanding audience,” noted Levy. “We are thrilled to partner with the incredibly creative production teams that developed ‘The Jersey Shore’ and ‘The Biggest Loser’ to bring these unique concepts to life.”
In Spike TV’s new series, “Bar Rescue,” Jon Taffer, one of the country’s top restaurant and bar consultants, will give failing establishments one last chance to succeed. The show will delve into every business facet of running a bar from creating a profitable drink/food menu to crowd management to music selection to managing disgruntled employees. This marks the first food/beverage-themed show for Spike TV, furthering its effort to expand and broaden its audience.
Taffer will use his “in-your-face” style along with his renowned method of management called “Taffer Dynamics” to transform the bar into a vibrant, profitable establishment. He will utilize everything from state-of-the-art science such as eye tracking technology, monitoring of body temperature and even reading pheromone output in patrons in order to create an ambitious plan of action. Taffer will focus on one establishment per episode from cities all around the country. Taffer’s wife, Nicole, will appear in the show along with a rotating group of experts.
“Bar Rescue” is produced by 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks US, and Executive Producers JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson (“The Biggest Loser,” “Master Chef,” “I Used to be Fat,” “Flying Wild Alaska”).
“Repo Games” is an game-show series with one big twist. The series, a combination of “Cops” meets “Jeopardy,” follows a crew of real-life repo men, Josh Lewis and Tom Detone, who give debtors one last chance to keep their cars but only if they’re willing to play for it. The debtors get five questions and if they get three answers correct, the car will be paid off on the spot. If the debtors fail, the car gets a new home at the impound lot. The series will be shot on location throughout the country.
“Repo Games” is produced by 495 Productions (“Jersey Shore,” “More to Love,” “Tool Academy,” “My Big Friggin Wedding”). Sally Ann Salsano serves as executive producer.
