The Big Balls are back!
It was announced Wednesday that the long-time obstacle course game show “Wipeout” – which initially aired for seven seasons on ABC – will get new life in the form of twenty original episodes on TBS. According to the network, the reboot will include three rounds and will integrate “multiple strategy and decision points” as part of a ambitious three-stage course. And the “big red balls” – an iconic obstacle in the first adaptation of the show – will return for the new season.
Although based in California, “Wipeout” has ties to northeast Wisconsin. Wisconsin native Kevin Wehrenberg is an executive producer on both the ABC and TBS versions of the show and is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh with a Radio-TV-Film major. John Anderson – an ESPN anchor and Green Bay native – was a host during the show’s first run along with comedian John Henson and course reporter Jill Wagner. It’s unsure if any of the original cast will be a part of the new season (although it’s worth noting that Henson’s ex-wife Corie Henson is in charge of all unscripted programming for TBS, including the “Wipeout” reboot).
Given the current situation, it’s unsure when the new season of “Wipeout” will be ready to go to production much less air. But the show has started making the call for contestants and has set up a website for prospective applicants (www.wipeoutcasting.com)
