FOX Announces New Game Show "The Rich List"  9/1/06

PLAYERS COMPETE FOR A PLACE ON “THE RICH LIST” AS NEW GAME SHOW PREMIERES THIS SEASON ON FOX Series Hosted by UK Presenter Eamonn Holmes

Production has begun on THE RICH LIST, a quiz show where to get rich you must complete lists. This unscripted series is slated to air this season on FOX.

In round one, total strangers chosen at random are thrown together to form teams who must outwit their opponents by filling in missing answers on a particular list. The lists are wide ranging, the topics could be films directed by Steven Spielberg, hit singles by ABBA or states with a coastline. Contestants bid upwards against each other while predicting how many answers on a particular subject they will be able to list. If a team fails to list as many answers as they thought they could, the other team wins.

The winning partnership moves on to the second round, earning the right to play in a new game of list-making where each correct answer is worth increasing amounts of money. But it doesn't end there on THE RICH LIST -- if you keep winning, you keep earning. Winning teams return to face a new set of opponents and try to win even more money in a potentially endless number of games.

David Young, Andy Culpin and Mike Beale from 12 Yard will executive-produce the U.S. version of THE RICH LIST, which will be hosted by Irish television personality Eamonn Holmes, Britain’s longest-serving morning-show host.

David Young, Managing Director at 12 Yard Productions, commented today, “We are delighted to be working with an industry leader such as FOX to adapt THE RICH LIST for the American market, and we are confident that the show’s broad appeal will attract a wide range of viewers in the U.S.”

“This is a truly original concept, unlike anything else currently on air, which promises to be exciting and addictive viewing,” said Mike Darnell, Executive Vice President, Special Programming at FOX. “FOX is thrilled to bring this dynamic format to the American audience for the first time.”

As anchor of Britain’s “GMTV” breakfast show for over 12 years, Eamonn Holmes was the face most people woke up to each morning. He can now be seen as the twice-weekly host of BBC 1's “National Lottery Jet Set” as well as his own Saturday morning sports entertainment show on Radio Five Live.

Holmes was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and studied journalism there before beginning his broadcasting career. He became, at 21, the youngest-ever anchorman in the ITV regions, hosting Ulster Television's hour-long early evening program “Good Evening Ulster.”

In 1986, Holmes launched daytime television on BBC 1 with “Open Air.” During the late 1980s and early ‘90s, he hosted various programs for the BBC, including “Holiday,” which he co-presented for four years, as well as numerous national sporting events and sports discussion programs. He launched “GMTV” in 1993 and presented the show daily until recently. His increasing television commitments include hosting the search to find Britain's best young speller on BBC 1’s “Hardspell.”

The father of four, Holmes divides his time between London, Belfast and Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home stadium.

12 Yard is one of the leading format creators and producers in the UK. The company was formed in 2001 by the team behind the BBC hit shows “The Weakest Link” and “Dog Eat Dog.” The team has continued to develop new and innovative entertainment and reality formats, including the BBC 1 hits “In It To Win It” and “Eggheads,” the International Emmy Award-winning “Without Prejudice?” and the Rose D’or-winning “Men Are Better Than Women?” 12 Yard recently received Best Daytime nominations in the RTS and Broadcast Awards for the Channel 4 series “Coach Trip.”

Producers are now accepting contestant applications. Call 1-877-RICH LIST or go to the casting page at www.fox.com for more information.

Source: FOX Press Release