Smallscreen Features
NBC and G4's American Ninja Warrior a no miss tonight: Previews, interview
By April MacIntyre May 21, 2012, 14:49 GMT
The series stars two of TV\'s most handsome hunks: Matt Iseman and Jonny Moseley, both of whom I had a chance to chat with recently at the NBC Summer press day.
G4 and NBC teamed up for “American Ninja Warrior,” a heart-racing obstacle course competition series with a nationwide search to find the ultimate athlete who will be crowned the first true “American Ninja Warrior.”
Have a first look at American Ninja Warrior, coming to NBC tonight, Monday, Mary 21.
The series stars two of TV's most handsome hunks: Matt Iseman and Jonny Moseley, both of whom I had a chance to chat with recently at the NBC Summer press day.
"We've seen phenomenal athletes, most all everyday people just spending their own money and training and working hard to get here, it's inspirational," says Iseman. "The course is brutal and even the best athletes cannot have a mental lapse in this course; it's controlled chaos and intensely difficult. We have contestants who spent their own hard-earned money recreating runs in their backyard trying to train for this."
Mosely compliments Iseman in many ways in presenting this exciting series, and notes the mental challenge is as taxing as the physical: "People do this and they are in great shape, but there's no way to train for it. It's guess work on the contestant's part, and all they can do is be in the best physical shape and work on the mental game too."
Iseman, a medical doctor who was the star of Style's "Clean House" for years, added, "One of our contestant's sister-in-law had breast cancer and he wanted to honor her with his performance, and one kid who even left school to raise money for his family who is competing too. Lots of inspirational and heartbreaking stories from everyday people; all of them have heart and real competive drive."
Meet a few of the competitors and check out the ultimate obstacle course with the posted videos below.
The networks collaborated with the original Japanese broadcaster, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS), to bring the competitive course over to the U.S., which is being held entirely on U.S. soil for the first time.
After the insane ratings of last year's “American Ninja Warrior” finale last summer, G4 and NBC have expanded their collaboration this year to take the worldwide phenomenon to the next level with G4 airing the preliminary rounds while NBC will broadcast the preliminary finals and the grand finale.
Six regional qualifying competitions throughout the country will determine the finalists who will ultimately have a shot at a $500,000 cash prize and the chance to win the coveted “American Ninja Warrior” title in the national finals in Las Vegas.
Over the past 15 years, only three competitors have successfully completed the infamous Ninja Warrior course atop Mount Midoriyama, Japan. “American Ninja Warrior” is back to find the toughest, most skilled U.S. competitors and give them a shot at conquering the almost impossible obstacle course.
A. Smith & Co. Productions returns to produce the fourth season of “American Ninja Warrior.” “American Ninja Warrior” is executive-produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions’ founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("Hell's Kitchen," “I Survived a Japanese Game Show,” "Pros vs. Joes"). Holly Wofford and Viki Cacciatore also serve as executive producers.
AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ninjawarrior
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ninjawarrior # #ninjawarrior
Ouch! No matter how much they want to win gold, some athletes will walk away with just black and blue marks.
Don't Get Wet
Thousands have tried and failed. Now the ultimate challenge comes to America, starting May 20th.
Sizing Up the Competition
Athletes from all walks of life want in on the ultimate challenge. American Ninja Warrior comes to America starting May 20th.
