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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, October 6, 2023 20 By Caroline Collacutt TV Media Teamwork time: The count- down begins when "Raid the Cage" premieres Friday, Oct. 13, on CBS. Based on the format of the Israeli game show (of the same name), "Raid the Cage" origi- nally ran on Israel's Channel 2 (Reshet) for four seasons after making its debut in late 2013. The initial series was co-creat- ed by Shy Brameli ("India on a Rickshaw," 2020), Tal Berman ("Mischak Machur'') and Unit- ed Studios of Israel, while this reboot of the game show will be distributed globally by Sony Pictures Television, with Jack Martin ("@midnight") acting as both showrunner and exec- utive producer. In this iteration, actor/come- dian Damon Wayans Jr. ("New Girl") acts as host alongside Emmy winner Jeannie Mai Jen- kins ("The Real"), who togeth- er tackle what Paramount Pic- tures (CBS's parent company) calls a "fresh take on a thrilling international format" that has "thrilled viewers in over 15 countries internationally." In a news release for the upcoming series, Paramount also shared its excitement over the pair- ing of Wayans and Jenkins, saying: "Together, the duo brings an infectious chemistry to the series, where the goal is to get in, get out and get rich." And that is exactly what "Raid the Cage" promises, as a description of the series giv- en by Deadline states: "'Raid The Cage' features two teams of two facing off to grab-and- go with prizes from the Cage before their time runs out and the doors close. Correctly an- swering questions adds sec- onds to the clock, giving teammates more time to grab prizes from the Cage. After three rounds, the team who banks the highest total dollar value in prizes wins the game, keeps what they have grabbed so far and plays the final round for even bigger prizes including a car."; "Strategy, teamwork and nerve are key to winning big," Paramount adds. The series will be Wayans' latest collaboration with CBS (he also acts as an executive producer on the series), follow- ing his success with the script- ed comedy series "Poppa's House," in which he stars alongside his father, Damon Wayans Sr. ("The Last Boy Scout," 1991). Grab a partner and try your best — "Raid the Cage" pre- mieres Friday, Oct. 13, on CBS. Backstabbers beware: It's the worst of the worst versus the devious and dastardly in this all-new series. "House of Villains" premieres Thursday, Oct. 12, on E!, USA Network and Syfy. "If the phrases "Bye Pump- kin!" or "Pop off!" live rent- free in your head, this show is for you," promises Entertain- ment Weekly. Hosted by Joel McHale ("Community"), this competition series aims to find "America's Ultimate Supervil- lain" — reality television su- pervillain, that is. According to the network, "'House of Villains [...] will pit contestants against one an- other each week in a challenge that tests their physical, mental and emotional strength." The contestants in question? Ten of the most memorable, quotable and meme-able reality TV "vil- lains," hailing from kingdoms (series) far and wide. The series description con- tinues: "The winner of the chal- lenge is safe from elimination, but at the end of each week, one villain will be voted out of the house and sent home." What makes a reality show villain, you may ask? "Is it an indelible catchphrase? Is it the moral turpitude to backstab relative strangers for the prom- ise of cash and/or fame? Is it just the far-too-uncomfortable association with a former presi- dent? Well, E! will give fans of unscripted television's best baddies an excuse to ponder these and other questions with 'House of Villains'," Entertain- ment Weekly promises. For this inaugural season, contestants include: "HBIC" Tif- fany "New York" Pollard, who first appeared on "Flavor of Love" in 2006; Jax Taylor, from "Vanderpump Rules"; "Survi- vor's" so-called "granny-killer," Season 7's Jonny Fairplay; the "Bad Girls Club's" Tanisha Thomas; Corinne Olympios, from the 21st season of "The Bachelor"; "The Challenge's" Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio; former "90 Day Fiancé" star Anfisa Arkhipchenko; Shake Chatterjee, the "villain" from "Love is Blind" Season 2; and "Love and Hip Hop Miami's" Bobby Lytes, among others. More, including "Big Broth- er's" Omarosa Manigault Newman, who, according to EW, "puts the 'no' in notori- ous." Quote: "She is definitely the only 'House of Villains' star to work in a presidential ad- ministration, or to secretly re- cord a president in said admin- istration, or to be fired by said president, or to 'willfully' vio- late the Ethics in Government Act." Whether it be Omarosa, the "granny-killer" or the "HBIC" — only one villain can steal the crown and rule them all in "House of Villains," premiering Thursday, Oct. 12, on E!, USA Network and Syfy. realtalk Damon Wayans Jr. and Jeannie Mai Jenkins from "Raid the Cage"

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