ABC has tapped former “Late Late Show” host Craig Ferguson to host a new game show called “The Hustler.”
A trivia-based competition, each episode of “The Hustler” will see five contestants work together to answer a series of questions. One of the five contestants, “the Hustler,” will already know all the answers but must keep their identity a secret from the others in order to win the grand prize.
Throughout the episode, the Hustler will secretly eliminate other contestants one by one. If the remaining contestants can correctly guess who among them is the Hustler by the end of the episode, they will split the money. If not, the Hustler will take home the full prize themselves.
The show is set to begin production this fall with an air date to be announced later.
“The Hustler” hails from the All3Media-backed production company Studio Lambert. British TV and radio host Richard Bacon created the format and will serve as an executive producer alongside Stephen Lambert, Jack Burgess, Tim Harcourt and Susan House.
“It’s rare and exciting to have a mystery-based game show that employs viewers and contestants to tap into their sleuth skills,” said ABC’s senior vice president of alternative and late night, Rob Mills. “This fun, new format is the perfect addition to our dynamic game show lineup, and Craig’s unmatched wit and humor make him the ideal host. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him back to ABC.”
“Studio Lambert and format creator Richard Bacon are incredibly excited to partner with ABC on ‘The Hustler,’” Lambert added. “With Craig in the driver’s seat, the comedic beats of this game are very much to the fore. We think ABC viewers will laugh a lot but also be shocked and surprised by the twists of this game, which invites contestants and viewers to play detective, solving a whodunit or, in this case, a whoisit.”