NBCUniversal is trying again with a reboot of long-running British hit I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.
Peacock has ordered a U.S. version of the competition series and it will be hosted by Traitors breakouts Maura Higgins and Rob Rausch.
The series has been long in the works and is the latest attempt to break the show in the States.
In 2003, ABC launched a version that was hosted by John Lehr and featured stars such as Melissa Rivers, Caitlyn Jenner and Tyson Beckford. Six years later, NBC attempted its own version that was hosted by Myleene Klass and Damien Fahey and featured the likes of Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Lou Diamond Phillips, Janice Dickinson and Stephen Baldwin.
Both attempts only lasted one season.
Peacock will launch its version – Get Me Out Of Here (w/t) – next year. It’s not clear where the show will be shot but the many versions of the show are filmed in Australia.
It comes from Love Island USA producer ITV America, which has regularly pitched the show over the years.
In 2021, the company partnered with Blumhouse Television on a version called Celebrity Castle and it took it out again in 2023.
ITV America CEO David George joked to Deadline last year that I’m A Celeb was the “hanging chad” of reality shows. “I will not stop until that show is sold and I think we’re closer than we’ve ever been,” he said.
George can stop now with Peacock coming on board and hoping for similar success to ITV America’s other big reality hit.
The series will also have a twist from the original. Instead of being alone, celebrities will have to survive the jungle with a civilian friend or family member.
“Stripped of every luxury – and the perks, privileges, and creature comforts of celebrity – duos face a series of physical and psychological challenges, earning rewards to avoid elimination. But here, the celebrities don’t call the shots – instead, they must partner up, taking the lead or deferring to their bestie, all while the treacherous environment takes its toll. Relying on each other like never before, teams must navigate everything the jungle throws their way as their grit, stamina and resilience are pushed to the limit,” reads the logline.
The team that wins will score a $100,000 grand prize.
Higgins and Rausch starred together on Season 4 of The Traitors; the pair grew close and Rausch was able to convince Higgins that they were both faithfuls. However, Rausch was a traitor, allowing him to win the grand prize alone. They made up after the snake wrangler, who broke out on Love Island USA, bought Higgins, who became famous from the British version of Love Island, a Birkin bag.
Get Me Out of Here is exec produced by George, David Eilenberg and Jordana Hochman are the executive producers.
