FOX Greenlights New Game Show

[Brian Damage]

Fox has greenlighted a pilot based on hit U.K. gamer "The Million Pound Drop."
Renamed "The Money Drop" in the U.S., the project comes from Endemol USA, and was created across the pond by its siblings at Endemol U.K.

Production on the pilot is expected to begin in August. An executive producer and a host for the series have not yet been named.

"Money Drop" follows a group of contestants who are given a wad of cash and then asked a series of multiple-choice trivia questions. They then place their bets on a trap door that represents their choice.

If their answer turns out to be wrong, the trap door opens -- and their money is gone. Contestants keep playing until all their money has fallen down the "drop." Contestants play through eight questions -- and get to keep whatever's left of their cash if they answer that final question right.

"Like Deal or No Deal, the best game shows are simple and straight forward but with huge stakes," said Endemol North America topper David Goldberg. "'The Money Drop' will follow in that tradition. It is truly a spectacle and event television."

Gamer aired as a live week-long event on Channel 4 in the U.K., but is being developed as a taped weekly show for Fox. It averaged 11.9% audience share, improving C4's timeslot average by 22%.

C4 is expected to pick up another round of live "Million Pound Drop" episodes shortly.

Endemol USA has been busy on the gamer front as of late, having just secured a series order from ABC for its new franchise "101 Ways to Leave a Game Show."

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1