CBS Expands Unscripted Slate with Three Series Orders
CBS has greenlit three unscripted projects: a revived Undercover Boss fronted by Drew Carey, a fresh game show called Stacks of Cash with Mike O'Malley as host, and 24 Hour Millionaire (a working title) shepherded by the executive producers behind Big Brother. The network revealed the pickups on Wednesday, saying that which seasons are being targeted, when the shows will premiere, and other specifics will come out down the road.[S1]
Modeled on a British original, Undercover Boss debuted on CBS in 2010 and lasted 11 seasons, the latest arriving in 2022. The revival is now in pre-production, with Carey — host of CBS's The Price Is Right since 2007 — taking the emcee role. Stacks of Cash has reached post-production and was shot in Portugal, continuing the trend of U.S. unscripted shows filming overseas to cut expenses. 24 Hour Millionaire spent more than a year in development at CBS and is likewise in pre-production.[S1]
Series Descriptions and Production Teams
The show's 12th season brings Carey back as host alongside a reworked approach to the concept. Executives at companies go incognito among their own staff to learn directly how their employees work and how the business runs. Studio Lambert produces the series, with Stephen Lambert, Jack Burgess, Abigail McCarthy, Niall O'Driscoll, and Tim Harcourt serving as executive producers.[S1]
Hosted by Emmy-nominated actor Mike O'Malley, Stacks of Cash is a game show built around trivia. Six players respond to questions to collect blocks of unusual shapes, which they then pile up in pursuit of a gold line — and a single misstep can bring the whole tower down. The format comes from Eureka Studios Group Pty and Seven Network Limited. Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Rikkie Proost, Sonya Wilkes, David Tibballs, Ves D'Elia, and Ed Egan are among the executive producers.[S1]
24 Hour Millionaire assembles skilled game players for 24 nonstop hours of social strategy and physical competitions, with one player guaranteed to win a $1 million prize. Only the best are invited to play a new game where every second counts. Produced by Fly on the Wall Entertainment, Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan serve as executive producers.[S1]
