Grab a glass of milk, because “Hot Ones” is warming up for its own competition series on TruTV. Sean Evans, longtime host of the popular web series, is on board to continue bringing the heat — but this time, contestants will enter the “Pepperdome” to compete for a $25,000 cash prize.
“Hot Ones: The Game Show” will air during an hour-long block on TruTV each week that starts with an episode of the new series and ends with an episode of the original web show, which TruTV has licensed the rights to run. The half-hour series has been given a 20 episode order, with plans to go into production later this fall for an early 2020 premiere date.
The web series, known for sitting celebrities down to eat hot-sauce-slathered chicken wings of increasing spiciness while answering interview questions, was created and produced by Complex Networks’ brand First We Feast. It has been running for 10 seasons as a web series and has over a billion combined views.
The game show version will feature two teams of two competing in three rounds, in which they’ll be quizzed on pop-culture trivia while chowing down on wings. But as all “Hot Ones” watchers know, as the sauce gets hotter, it gets harder and harder to stay focused as the spice levels get disorientingly high. Over the challenges, the teams will attempt to bank as much cash as they can to compete for the grand prize.
The team with the most cash at the end of all three rounds moves on to the finale. Called The Ring of Fire, five flaming rings will stand between the teammates and the cash, and they’ll have to work together to solve a password game. Each successful clue will put out another ring of flames, bringing them closer and closer to the money — and the antidote for their burning mouths.
To win the $25,000, the teammates must guess five correct passwords in 90 seconds.
“Our Hot Ones interview show is all about deconstructing celebrities and making them seem like normal people,” said Evans. “With Hot Ones: The Game Show, we’re excited to flip the script and give everyday people the chance to achieve hot sauce glory.”
“Hot Ones: The Game Show” is produced by DIGA Studios, with Scott St. John serving as showrunner and executive producer. Evans will also executive produce, along with DIGA’s Tony DiSanto, Tommy Coriale and Nick Rigg. Michael Bloom executive produces for Bongo Pictures while Chris Schonberger and Justin Killion executive produce for Complex Networks.