Craig Ferguson may have left The Late Late Show but he certainly isn’t leaving television. He hosts Celebrity Name Game and that syndicated game show has just been renewed for a second season.
Here are the details:
FREMANTLEMEDIA NORTH AMERICA & DEBMAR-MERCURY ANNOUNCE ‘CELEBRITY NAME GAME’ FOR SECOND SEASON FOLLOWING RENEWALS BY TRIBUNE, SINCLAIR, COX AND MANY OTHERS
Los Angeles and New York, Jan. 8, 2015 – Debmar-Mercury and FremantleMedia North America today announced the nationally syndicated Celebrity Name Game has been renewed for a second season following pickups by Tribune Broadcasting, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Cox Broadcasting and many others. The first season, which premiered this past fall in homes across America, ranks No. 2 among all new strips.
The broadcast renewals provide the game show with initial 2015-16 clearances in well over 80 percent of the U.S. Hosted by the Emmy-nominated Craig Ferguson and executive produced by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, the second season is in pre-production and the first season, currently on air, returns with new episodes on Jan. 12.
Commented Thom Beers, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, and an executive producer of the game show, “Celebrity Name Game came out of the gate with an impressive start, building its audience each week, and showing itself to be a strong contender in syndication. We’re looking forward to producing another season with the comedic genius that is Craig Ferguson, and inviting many more of our celebrity friends to join in on the fun.”
“Celebrity Name Game has proven itself to be worthy of renewal and we are very gratified by the broadcasters’ strong show of support,” commented Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus. “This is the second-highest rated new daily series this season in the key demo of women 25-54 and continues to show steady growth in households. Creatively, it is a really good game show with a brilliant and very funny host, which has made it ideally suited for both sitcom and game blocks.”
The game show puts contestants and their celebrity teammates on the spot as they compete in four rounds of fast-paced gameplay to identify famous names – actors, singers, athletes, pop culture figures, politicians, even cartoon characters – based on improvised clues. The winning team has a chance to walk away with up to $20,000.
The show, currently in the midst of its first season, has seen a variety of celebrities including Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), Wayne Brady (Let’s Make A Deal), Margaret Cho (Drop Dead Diva), Michael Ealy (Almost Human), Seth Gabel (Salem), Jennie Garth (Mystery Girls), Ian Gomez (Cougar Town), Rachael Harris (Suits), Marilu Henner (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Bianca Kajlich (Undateable), Angela Kinsey (The Office), Ian Ziering (Sharknado), Carson Kressley (Queer Eye), Lisa Lampanelli (comedian), Joey Lawrence (Melissa & Joey), Melanie Lynskey (Togetherness), Jonathan Mangum (Let’s Make A Deal), Constance Marie (Switched At Birth), Ross Matthews (Hello Ross!), Kevin Nealon (Blended), Teri Polo (The Fosters), Megyn Price (Rules of Engagement), DJ Qualls (Legit), Molly Sims (Las Vegas), Aisha Tyler (The Talk), and Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy).
Celebrity Name Game is co-produced by FremantleMedia North America and Debmar-Mercury and is distributed domestically by Debmar-Mercury and internationally by FremantleMedia. The show was developed by Coquette Productions based on the popular board game Identity Crisis, created by Laura Robinson and Richard Gerrits of North 44 Productions. In addition to Coquette’s Cox and Arquette, executive producers include FMNA’s Thom Beers and Jennifer Mullin, and veteran show runner Scott St. John. The syndicated, half-hour weekday strip airs in more than 93% of the country, including the top-50 U.S. markets.
About FremantleMedia North America
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. arm of global media giant FremantleMedia, which includes a distribution arm, FremantleMedia International, a digital and branded entertainment division and a kids & family entertainment business. As one of the world’s largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of TV brands in the world, FremantleMedia’s comprehensive global network has operations in 28 countries, creating over 8500 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 400 individual titles. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. FMNA and its portfolio of companies, including Original Productions and 495 Productions, produce entertaining and innovative scripted and alternative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms. Their slate includes a diverse range of both critically-acclaimed and award-winning successes including American Idol (FOX), America’s Got Talent (NBC), Family Feud (SYN), Let’s Make A Deal (CBS), The Price Is Right (CBS), The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC), Deadliest Catch (Discovery), Married to Medicine (Bravo), Party Down South (CMT), Ice Road Truckers (HISTORY), Storage Wars (A&E),The Returned (A&E) and Celebrity Name Game (SYN) among others.About Debmar-Mercury
Debmar-Mercury, a leading media company specializing in syndication, network, cable and ancillary markets, produces and distributes The Wendy Williams Show and the new Craig Ferguson-hosted Celebrity Name Game with co-producer FremantleMedia North America; has U.S. distribution rights to FremantleMedia North America’s Steve Harvey-hosted Family Feud; distributes Tyler Perry sitcoms House of Payne and spin-off Meet the Browns, as well as Revolution/CubeVision’s Are We There Yet? (starring Ice Cube); and, for FX, sitcoms including Lionsgate Television’s Anger Management (starring Charlie Sheen and now also airing in national off-network syndication); and has U.S. TV distribution rights to South Park, Hell’s Kitchen and a movie library featuring titles from Revolution Studios. Debmar-Mercury is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global entertainment company.About Coquette Productions
Coquette Productions, founded by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, with development executive Thea Mann, is a television and film production company focusing on creating dynamic, original and entertaining content. Under a first-look deal with ABC Studios, Coquette is currently producing Cougar Town with ABC for TBS. Other Coquette Productions include: Daisy Does America for TBS; Dirt for F/X, Tripaholics for The Travel Channel and Celebrity Name Game for syndication. Additionally, Coquette has sold projects/filmed pilots for UPN, FOX, CBS, HBO, Lifetime, MTV and Comedy Central. Coquette has also produced the feature film Just Before I Go, directed by Courteney Cox.
What do you think? Do you like this game show? Do you think that it should have been renewed?
I was wondering. Do the contestants that don’t make it to the final round get the money that they won, or
I was heartbroken when Craig left the Late Late Show, so I was understandably delighted when Celebrity Name Game came on. I never missed an episode of the former, and the same goes for the latter. He’s one of the smartest and funniest guys on TV, and I’m absolutely wild about him. Not one of the late night hosts of the past 20 years could hold a candle to him.
Very lame. It would be entertaining if they had players that actually knew most of the clues/answers instead of the constant passing. How do these be people get chosen? Also, Craig Ferguson tries to be funny, but I don’t find him to be at all witty.
This show is OK but I LOVE Tom Arnold here! He gets so into it you just know you have a good chance of winning with him.
I know what you mean about Tom Arnold. You never know what’s going to come out of his mouth!
I think that Craig is a good host. Although, I think that he is trying too hard to be funny and dirty at the same time. I don’t think that is necessary to do, as I think that younger people might be watching. Also, when is the show on???????????? It used to be on WPIX in the a.m. for two shows. I do catch it later in the afternoon on POP.
The a.m. show is gone, or moved, except, I don’t know where it went to.
I agree, Tom Arnold is hilarious, also enjoy quite a few other celebrities.
Tom Arnold acts like he’s coked up to his eyeballs! It’s nice he’s anxious to play but he’s out of control! Whenever he’s on I switch to something else.
So boring! I was a fan for many years of Craig Ferguson and his late late show. What a sell out by Craig! Not funny! Not intelligent! Wow can’t believe it. Will never watch again. What drivel!
I agree, this game show is rather beneath Craig. Hopefully the pilot for his new comedy, The King of 7B, will be picked up by ABC.
The King of 7B was not picked up. This from Ten new TV shows you won’t get to see in 2015 – 2016:
Originally, Craig Ferguson’s tour dates were rescheduled due to his filming a sitcom for ABC — which ended up not picking up the pilot titled “The King of 7B” in which he plays a recluse.
http://www.hypable.com/10-tv-series-not-happening-2015-2016/
Luv this show
love this show it is awesome
Glad Craig is coming back! Love the show.
Love this show! Craig Ferguson is the best ever game show Host! Both my husband
and I watch everyday. It should be on in the evening so more folks could enjoy it.
Never let this show end!
Really like this show and am very happy they will return, Craig is hilarious as always and beats all other game show hosts hands down. Only suggestions some contestants from ethnic groups other that white and generational ?s leave some teams at a disadvantage not to mention some stars are hindered in giving clues if they are not from a North American country. Certainly don’t imply anything racist just noticed since I watch 2 episodes a day.
This is my favorite new show in years. Craig Ferguson is the perfect host. Clever as can be.
Try to never miss a show.
Great show! Funny! Exciting! Will be watching and recording till the end!
Two seasons is fair. They weren’t going to cancel it right after his finale at night.
so very happy its coming back loved the show
Clues are a bit repetitive. After watching for two weeks, the show became rather monotonous.