Channel 4
EXCLUSIVE: Channel 4 has given its verdict on which of its biggest entertainment programs in 2023 have been given a second season.
tempting fate the adventure reality series hosted by Paddy McGuinness has been given the go-ahead for a major second season, although fellow US pro Roku is no longer involved. Danny Dyer-host scared of the dark in which celebrities are locked in a pitch-black space for a week, will no longer see the light of day and has been removed.
The move ends a months-long period of speculation over which big 2023 launches would be approved for Season 2, during which Channel 4 also picked up Studio Lambert’s traitors-esque Rise and fall and his version of the US History channel hit Sam, the latter was revealed by Deadline last week.
Tempting fate from spoon co-producer Voltage TV will go from six to eight episodes for Season 2. The show sees contestants thrown into a tropical jungle – South Africa in Season 1 – where they spend several days in the wild, avoiding temptations thrown at them in order to win as much a more substantial cash prize is possible. Season 1 saw former professional basketball player James take home the most, around £22,000 ($27,000) from a pot that started at £300,000. The prize pool for Season 2 has yet to be confirmed.
Tempting fate was watched by about 1.5 million people per ep. Channel 4 said it was one of the most watched shows last year for the coveted 16-34 audience, with a 91% viewing rate for the entire series. Its performance on Channel 4’s VoD player was crucial to the decision to re-commission, Deadline understands.
“Tempting fate has all the hallmarks of a classic Channel 4 format,” said commissioner Stephen Handley, who recently took over the leadership of the newly merged reality and entertainment unit. “It’s the clever and mischievous love child of an adventure series and a reality show that puts free will and human nature to the test, often with hilarious consequences.”
The series is co-produced with GroupM and sold globally by Cineflix Rights. Roku will not be participating in Season 2.
“Afraid of the Dark”
Fear of the dark. Image: Channel 4
Channel 4
Deadline said Channel 4 had only re-commissioned one of the Tempting Fate, Rise and Fall, Alone and scared of the dark and therefore the latter became another victim.
Hosted by fan favorite Dyer, Fear of the dark saw celebrities including ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne, ex-boxer Chris Eubank and Island of love star Chloe Burrows moved into a specially designed pitch-dark reality space where they lived in complete and utter darkness for a week. There, they withstood the unique pressures of mild deprivation, as well as adapting to perform daily tasks and take on a series of challenges. Gascoigne, one of England’s most talented football stars of the past four decades, finally won, almost exactly a year ago.
The show did well, launching in front of around 1 million viewers, and earned more on Channel 4’s VoD player over the next few days as it was removed during the week.
Fear of the dark lives on through an innovative deal with Amazon MGM Studios in Germany, which sees a local version produced by ITV Studios indie Bildergarten. The Channel 4 version is made by ITV Studios’ stablemate MultiStory Media. The same production company saw its high-profile reboot of the reality show Four weddings was abruptly canceled by Channel 4 shortly after it was greenlit last year, precipitating a difficult few months for the network from which it has yet to fully recover. It is currently in the process of laying off about 250 employees.
We understand Don’t Look Down To Defy Cancer another McGuinness-hosted series is also unlikely to return, Channel 4 is understood to be still accepting entertainment bids for this year and next.
