GLOBAL GAME SHOW PHENOMENON “WEAKEST LINK” RETURNS TO NBC WITH JANE LYNCH AS HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
BBC Studios to Co-Produce Reboot of Successful International Format with Universal Television Alternative Studio
NBC is bringing back hit British import and international game show phenomenon “Weakest Link,” co-produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm and Universal Television Alternative Studio. The network has greenlit 13 episodes of the rapid-fire quiz show with Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning host and actress Jane Lynch (“Hollywood Game Night,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) set to host and executive produce. “Weakest Link” will begin production later this year.
The new version of “Weakest Link” will deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format created by the BBC with a few modern twists. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds. At the end of each round, the contestants vote out who they perceive to be the “Weakest Link” remaining.
“I’ve been a longtime fan of this game-changing quiz show since it first debuted,” said Lynch. “Each time the phrase ‘You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.’ passes my lips, it will be with great reverence and delight.”
“‘Weakest Link’ became an instant fan-favorite when it first aired on our network, and we are excited to bring a fresh, new take to the timeless format,” said Meredith Ahr, President, Reality and Alternative Group, NBC Entertainment. “Jane Lynch has been a beloved staple in our NBC family for years, and her sharp wit and engaging personality will be the perfect match for this highly entertaining game show.”
“‘Weakest Link’ is an iconic format that BBC Studios has distributed across the globe for the past two decades, capturing audiences and earning a place in pop culture history,” said Matt Forde, Managing Director, International Production & Formats, BBC Studios. “Our Los Angeles production arm is proud to partner with NBC to bring the fastest and fiercest game show on TV back to America, and Jane Lynch is the ideal host to bring her own signature brand of fearless comedy to this fresh version of ‘Weakest Link.'”
In each episode, eight contestants enter the studio as total strangers but must work together to bank the maximum amount of prize money available in each round. The contestants take turns to answer general knowledge questions to build chains of correct answers. Consecutive correct answers greatly increase the value of the chain, while incorrect answers break the chain and force the contestants to start over on the lowest rung with the smallest amount money. At the end of each round, contestants vote to eliminate the fellow contestant they consider to be the “Weakest Link” in the chain. The contestant who receives the highest number of votes leaves the game as the host declares the iconic phrase, “You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.”
For 20 years, “Weakest Link” has been the fastest and fiercest quiz show on television. The massively successful format distributed by BBC Studios has been produced in 44 territories around the globe, with over 1,500 episodes having aired in the UK alone.
The original run of “Weakest Link” on NBC launched on April 16, 2001 with 15.1 million viewers, giving NBC its biggest audience in the timeslot with regular programming in nearly five years, since May 1996. For that season, “The Weakest Link” averaged nearly 13 million viewers to rank among television’s top 35 primetime broadcast series. Then presented by the original UK host, Anne Robinson’s contemptuous interplay with the competitors set the show apart from its contemporaries.
“Weakest Link” is casting now. Put your trivia skills and pop culture knowledge to the test. If you have the speed and smarts to win the grand prize, apply at theweakestlinkcasting.com. You must be 18 years or older, and other terms and conditions may apply.
Jane Lynch is a five-time Emmy Award winner who received back-to-back Emmys for her role as host of “Hollywood Game Night.” Lynch recently hosted a special remote edition of “Hollywood Game Night” for Red Nose Day in May.
Lynch currently co-stars on the award-winning comedy series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and is well known for her Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning portrayal of Sue Sylvester on “Glee.” Additional television credits include portraying Janet Reno in “Manifesto,” “Criminal Minds,” “The Good Fight,” “Portlandia,” “Angel From Hell,” “Party Down,” “Lovespring International,” “Two and a Half Men” and “The L Word.” Lynch’s film credits include “Wreck It Ralph I and II,” “The Three Stooges,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Talladega Nights,” “Role Models,” “Julie & Julia,” “A Mighty Wind,” “Best in Show” and “For Your Consideration.” She made her Broadway debut in the 2013 production of “Annie.” Her additional theater work includes “Oh Sister, My Sister” at the Tamarine Theatre and “Love, Loss and What I Wore” at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre.
“Weakest Link” is produced by BBC Studios in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Ryan O’Dowd will serve as executive producer for BBC Studios. Stuart Krasnow, who executive produced the original NBC run, will return in the same role and also serve as showrunner. Jane Lynch will also executive produce.
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About Weakest Link TV Show
ยท NBC's hit reality series "Weakest Link" will begin its second season on Sunday, March 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. /
ยท "Weakest Link" was NBC's #1 alternative series launch during the 2020-21 season in both the 18-49 demo and total viewers.
ยท In each episode of "Weakest Link," hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, eight contestants enter the studio as total strangers but must work together to bank the maximum amount of prize money available in each round. The contestants take turns to answer general knowledge questions to build chains of correct answers. Consecutive correct answers greatly increase the value of the chain, while incorrect answers break the chain and force the contestants to start over on the lowest rung with the smallest amount money. At the end of each round, contestants vote to eliminate the fellow contestant they consider to be the "Weakest Link" in the chain. The contestant who receives the highest number of votes leaves the game as Lynch declares the iconic phrase, "You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye."
ยท "Weakest Link" is produced by BBC Studios' Los Angeles production arm in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Ryan O'Dowd serves as executive producer for BBC Studios. Stuart Krasnow, who executive produced the original NBC run, serves in the same role and is also showrunner. Lynch also executive produces.
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NBC RENEWS GLOBAL GAME SHOW PHENOMENON "WEAKEST LINK" FOR SECOND SEASON
Freshman Series Won Timeslot in All Key Demos
Jane Lynch Returns as Host and Executive Producer
UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - Jan. 25, 2021 - The "Weakest Link," NBC's newest hit game show phenomenon hosted by Jane Lynch, has been renewed for a second season. The popular series is a British import based on the iconic quiz show format distributed by BBC Studios.
Production on the new season, set for 13 episodes, will begin later this year.
"Audiences have clearly embraced this smart, fun and completely addicting show, and it's been a great addition to the NBC lineup," said Jenny Groom, Executive Vice President, Unscripted Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. "A huge thank you to Jane, our friends at BBC Studios, Universal Television Alternative Studio and everyone who has been instrumental in keeping the DNA of the original format intact while simultaneously adding new flourishes that make it as relevant and popular as ever."
"I'm thrilled that 'Weakest Link' will return for another season," Lynch said "It has been my honor to bring back this classic game show loved by millions. I also look forward to challenging the brain power of our players while baiting them to turn against one another for the chance to win some life-changing cash. And, of course, for my own enjoyment, and not to mention the opportunity to say 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye.' several times an episode."
"As the fastest and fiercest game show on TV, 'Weakest Link' has been immortalized in pop culture," said Valerie Bruce, General Manager of BBC Studios, Los Angeles Productions. "The format has proven longevity, attracting global audiences for the past two decades and we're thrilled to celebrate its latest success in the U.S. Our Los Angeles production arm is excited to partner with NBC on a second season of the series with Jane Lynch, whose quick wit, humor and shrewdness are captivating."
On the ratings front, "Weakest Link" was the #2 most-watched new broadcast alternative series of the fall and won its 10 p.m. Mondaytimeslot in all key demos. In most current figures for the season, "Weakest Link" is averaging a 1.2 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers, including linear, digital and VOD. In addition, the Sept. 29 premiere episode is up to a 1.9 in 18-49 and 7.7 million viewers when including linear and digital viewing.
Co-produced by BBC Studios' Los Angeles production arm and Universal Television Alternative Studio, the new version of "Weakest Link" delivers the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format distributed by BBC Studios with a few modern twists.
The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds. At the end of each round, the contestants vote out who they perceive to be the "Weakest Link" remaining.
In each episode, eight contestants enter the studio as total strangers but must work together to bank the maximum amount of prize money available in each round. The contestants take turns to answer general knowledge questions to build chains of correct answers. Consecutive correct answers greatly increase the value of the chain, while incorrect answers break the chain and force the contestants to start over on the lowest rung with the smallest amount money. At the end of each round, contestants vote to eliminate the fellow contestant they consider to be the "Weakest Link" in the chain. The contestant who receives the highest number of votes leaves the game as the host declares the iconic phrase, "You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye."
The massively successful "Weakest Link" format distributed by BBC Studios has been produced in 46 territories around the globe, with more than 1,500 episodes having aired in the UK alone.
"Weakest Link" is casting now for its second season. Put your trivia skills and pop culture knowledge to the test. If you have the speed and smarts to win the grand prize, apply at theweakestlinkcasting.com. You must be 18 years or older, and other terms and conditions may apply.
Lynch is a five-time Emmy Award and Gold Globe Award winner who received back-to-back Emmys for her role as host of NBC's "Hollywood Game Night." Her last Emmy win came in 2019 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."
"Weakest Link" is produced by BBC Studios in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Ryan O'Dowd serves as executive producer for BBC Studios. Stuart Krasnow, who executive produced the original NBC run, serves in the same role and is also showrunner. Lynch also executive produces.
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The original run of "Weakest Link" on NBC launched on April 16, 2001 with 15.1 million viewers, giving NBC its biggest audience in the timeslot with regular programming in nearly five years, since May 1996. For that season, "The Weakest Link" averaged nearly 13 million viewers to rank among television's top 35 primetime broadcast series. Then presented by the original UK host, Anne Robinson's contemptuous interplay with the competitors set the show apart from its contemporaries.
Host Jane Lynch will kick off the first episode of the worldwide global phenom "Weakest Link" when the show debuts Tuesday, September 29. The new version will deliver the fast-paced and quick-witted pillars of the original British format distributed by BBC Studios with a few modern twists. The hybrid game show sees contestants answer general knowledge questions to bank prize money across multiple rounds. At the end of each round, the contestants vote out who they perceive to be the "Weakest Link" remaining.
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