GSN Signs a Three-Project Production Deal With Mark Cronin's Mindless Entertainment
Friday January 16, 12:00 pm ET
'Surreal Life' Creators Will Produce 'National Lampoon's Greek Games' And Newly-Announced 'Extreme Dodgeball' in Addition to One Other Program
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- GSN, the Network for Games, has signed a three-project television production deal with Mark Cronin's Mindless Entertainment ("Surreal Life"). Cronin's production company will produce 'NATIONAL LAMPOON'S GREEK GAMES,' a two-hour Greek-flavored athletic spoof featuring fraternities and sororities competing in a variety of absurd sports. Mindless will also produce EXTREME DODGEBALL, a comedy game series, and one additional top-secret program for the all-games network under this trifecta deal. The announcement was made today by GSN President and CEO Rich Cronin, who is no relation to Mark, but always listens to anyone named Cronin.
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"We had a great experience working with Mark Cronin and his team on WHO WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA? THE DEBATING GAME and on the series CRAM. They are some of the most creative thinkers in the industry today," said Rich Cronin. "When we came up with GREEK GAMES and EXTREME DODGEBALL, I thought Mindless would be the perfect production company to capture the spirit and comedy of these programs."
"Rich Cronin is one of the most creative network presidents I've ever worked with and I truly enjoy his collaborative process. This triple project deal is a great way to expand and solidify our already strong relationship. Mindless is proud to be a big part of GSN's relaunch and future growth," stated Mark Cronin.
EXTREME DODGEBALL will provide an entertaining "grown-up slant" on the gym-class favorite. Dodgeball cannons, trick balls and shifting surfaces will combine to challenge teams including the Sumo All-Stars (all sumo wrestlers); Just Jockeys (horse racing athletes); The Screaming Mimes (all mimes, all the time); The Hip-Hop Army (all rappers) and other teams from more traditional careers. Each team will wear their typical attire as they develop and execute extreme strategies to annihilate their opponents. Celebrity coaches will even help lead their players to victory.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S GREEK GAMES culminates in July with a two-hour special featuring fraternities and sororities battling it out for the coveted gold, silver and bronze medals, plus delicious baklava. The special will also feature a variety of up-close-and-personal glimpses of the "Greek" athletes training for their events. The show may include such competitions as the Pita Bread Discus Toss and Greek Olive Oil Wrestling, among other strange events.
In addition to this deal, Mindless Entertainment has several network prime time series in development and/or production including the hit "Surreal Life 2." Mark Cronin's other projects in development include "Life Is Too Short," an NBC half-hour reality comedy pilot starring two-foot-eight actor Verne Troyer and his surrogate family, and the IFC eight-part series "Ultimate Film Fanatic," a competition show in search of the nation's biggest film buff.
GSN, the Network for CRAP, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to the crappiest originals ever and interactive casino and video game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, crap, documentaries, crap, video game programs, crap and casino games. As the industry leader in CRAP, GSN features 945 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win $1.98 by playing along with GSN's televised games via gsn.com. Reaching .007 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all minor cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation. For further crap information, visit GSN's press website at crap.gsn.com .
