{alltv} Ron Howard Teams with The Amazing Race Producers for TNT Reality Show

Friday, July 1, 2011

{alltv} Ron Howard Teams with The Amazing Race Producers for TNT Reality Show

The executive producers of The Amazing Race will help Ron Howard and Brian Grazer stage The Great Escape at TNT.

TNT has ordered a new pilot for the reality competition, which will drop contestants into the middle of their own action/adventure movie — and force them to use their wits and physical skills to escape. They'll work together to perform tasks and solve puzzles, and then compete to gain freedom first (be it escaping a POW camp, a deserted island or a sinking ocean liner).

TNT originally developed the show last year, but it ultimately didn't go forward. Now, the cable network is shooting a full pilot, and The Amazing Race executive producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri have joined the show to lend their expertise.

Casting has begun on the pilot, as producers look for "energetic, confident and competitive" two-person teams "that are ready for the ultimate rush to try and win a huge cash prize." TNT has been looking to expand into reality series, particularly with shows that fit into its "We Know Drama" brand; it also has a competition show in development from Joel Silver, the producer behind The Matrix trilogy.

Famed filmmaker Howard brings his cinematic eye to The Great Escape, while Grazer executive produced 24, which also specialized in narrow escapes and quick getaways. Their Imagine Entertainment production company will produce along with Fox Television Studios, the Hochberg Ebersol Company and van Munster's Profiles Television Productions. Howard, Grazer, van Munster, Doganieri, Francie Calfo, Justin Hochberg and Charlie Ebersol are executive producers.