Television
February 14, 2003
The WB's Hit Reality Show "The Surreal Life" Sets Up House For A Second Installment
(February 14, 2003 – Burbank, CA) - Shortly after The WB’s “THE SURREAL LIFE” kicked reality television up a notch, the network has ordered a second installment of the headline-grabbing, celebrity-obsessed new series. “THE SURREAL LIFE” premiered on The WB in January and instantly swept the nation with its tongue-in-cheek yet surprisingly human take on the lives of celebrities whose stars aren't exactly burning bright these days.
“THE SURREAL LIFE’S” debut set all-time records for a Thursday night premiere on The WB. The series has brought over a million additional viewers to The WB's Thursday 9-9:30pm time period, averaging 3.9 million viewers (Persons 2+) to grow +43% over the season-to-date average prior to its debut. “THE SURREAL LIFE” has also delivered outstanding growth in key demos, building +86% among adults 18-34 and +64% in persons 12-34 versus the '02-'03 time period season-to-date average prior to its debut. The show is the second highest-rated show on The WB among men 18-34 (2.4/6) and males 12-34 (2.2/6). Given the series' success, it was a no-brainer for renewal. Casting on the second installment is currently underway.
“When we first decided to do ‘THE SURREAL LIFE,’ we knew it was a series that lent itself to multiple seasons, given the right mix of celebrities,” said Keith Cox, The WB’s Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming. “What we look for are celebrities who are beloved, controversial or iconic and, given the success of the first season, we believe we will score an equally compelling cast this time around. We love this show because it bends genres, placing celebrities in a familiar habitat, creating a living sitcom, which is as unreal as it is surreal.”
“THE SURREAL LIFE'S” success is the result of a winning formula, one that will remain intact for the second installment: a select group of America's best-remembered, pop culture celebrities sharing a fun and funky pad for 10 days. Action on “THE SURREAL LIFE” will take place in a house and on "field trips" to various locations. Real-life dramas will be captured on-camera during an around-the-clock shooting schedule . . . and anything goes, when you're living “THE SURREAL LIFE.”
From executive producers Rick Telles and Cris Abrego (“Road Rules”) and Mark Cronin (“The Howard Stern Show”) and Jay Renfroe and David Garfinkle (“Blind Date”), “THE SURREAL LIFE” is produced by Brass Ring Productions and Mindless Entertainment along with Renegade Entertainment. # # #