Spike TV has given a formal order to “Caraoke Showdown,” a half-hour game show hosted by Craig Robinson, Variety has learned.
Spike originally ordered “Caraoke” as a one-off special, to air later in 2016, before officially greenlighting the series with a ten-episode order.
Described as a “new, original, half-hour game show” that is like “Cash Cab” meets karaoke, “Caraoke Showdown” features Robinson posing as a driver, picking up unsuspecting contestants who are along for a ride upon realizing they are on a karaoke-inspired game show. During rounds of game play, contestants must belt out their favorite tunes, finish the lyrics or act out songs for cash.
Robinson will host and executive produce the series. He is best known for his role on NBC’s “The Office,” and currently, is recurring on season 2 of USA Network’s “Mr. Robot.”
Howie Mandel is also an executive producer along with Alice Dickens-Koblin, Peter Herschko and Brian Veskosky. Core Media Group is producing. Spike’s Sharon Levy and Chachi Senior will oversee the series, while Tori Socha will serve as the network’s executive in charge of production. APA packaged the deal, repping Veskosky and Herschoko.
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“Caraoke Showdown” comes after Spike’s success with another unscripted music-driven series, “Lip Sync Battle,” which set records for the Viacom-owned cabler. This year, “Caraoke Showdown” is the second game show to be greenlit at Spike, following “That Awkward Game Show,” which premieres this fall.
The karaoke-in-car format has been hugely popular as of late, stemming off of late night host James Corden’s “Carpool Karaoke” segment, which has drawn the likes of George Clooney, Justin Bieber and most recently Michelle Obama.
“Caraoke Showdown” will tape in Los Angeles and New York this summer, and is set to premiere on Spike in 2017.
