Fox TCA notes: Rob Lowe’s new gig, masked singers, and Kaitlin Olson
This morning, Fox had its presentation at the TCA Summer Press Tour, and with that, the network had a number of interesting announcements.
Rob Lowe’s new hosting gig – We’re not that far removed from the end of Code Black (a show that really needs to be saved), but today we’ve got a little more news on Rob Lowe. He is set to host a new mental competition show entitled Mental Samurai, which has to be one of our favorite names for a TV show in some time. It’s billed as an obstacle course for the mind, and here is what Rob Lowe had to say on the subject in a statement:
“When I was 15, I won big on The $10,000 Pyramid. I’ve loved mental competition shows ever since … For me, Mental Samurai is addicting. Every time you play, you think: This time I’m gonna win! But this very simple game is almost impossible to crack.”
Kaitlin Olson returns – Only a few months after the end of The Mick, Kaitlin is going to be appearing in a new multi-camera comedy pilot at Fox from the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia creative team (where she also starred). Kaitlin is playing a character named Birdie, the wife of a conservative woman named Jean (Leah Remini). The two are working to raise Jean’s kids with the help of some colorful characters along the way — including Jean’s ex.
We’ll see if this series gets a green light, but it seems to be the direction that Fox is going right now — shows with broad appeal.
The Masked Singer – This is one of the weirdest shows Fox is gambling on. It premieres in January, and the premise here seems to be masking celebrities with some singing talent in a competition to determine who can last the longest without their true identity being revealed. It’s based on a hit Korean show, and CarterMatt has a video of it for you to watch below.
In a new statement, Fox’s own Rob Wade (head of alternative programming) said the following about it:
“This is truly one of the most unique, genre-defining formats I’ve ever seen. It’s a massive international hit, and its boldness and originality make it the perfect fit for Fox.”