Balderdash to Become Game Show

Pax TV has announced plans to launch a new half-hour primetime game show this summer based on the board game Balderdash. Pax TV has placed an initial order for 26 weeks of the series, according to a press release.

"Balderdash," scheduled to premiere later in the summer season, showcases three celebrity comedians who present two contestants with a series of hilarious bluff answers to a variety of questions from the game's various categories including words, movies, people, famous epitaphs and looney laws.

The first contestant to guess which comic is telling the truth wins points and a chance for prizes. Interspersed throughout the show are man-on-the-street segments where everyday people deliver their own outlandish bluffs to one of the questions from the previous round.

Pax TV also announced a new trivia-based game show, "On the Cover."

Stephen Appel, president of sales and marketing for the network, said in the release, "These two game shows are a key part of a new fall lineup that are being developed as a result of the announced NBC/PAX program consulting agreement. We think these two programs will broaden the PAX audience and help develop positioning, branding and sales for the network."

"Balderdash is a great game format for television -- the perfect blend of fast-paced competition with lots of laughs for every member of the family," said Margaret Loesch, managing partner of The Hatchery, in the release. "In addition to the play-along excitement for home viewers, it's a comedy showcase, and we plan to make it a must-stop for popular and upcoming comedy talent."

Steve Ross, senior vice-president of worldwide entertainment and business development at Mattel, said in the release, "We are really excited to be able to translate this entertaining, fast-paced board game into our first television game show that is appropriate for the entire family. Already a best-selling board game, Balderdash can now be equally as popular in a new, fresh format."

"Balderdash" is produced in Los Angeles by The Hatchery, a production and marketing company and developer of intellectual properties. The Hatchery partners, Loesch, Emmy and Peabody Award winner and former President and CEO of The Hallmark Channel; Dan Angel, Emmy Award winner ("Door to Door") and Peabody Award-winning producer and writer ("Goosebumps," "X-Files"); and Bruce Stein, former President and COO of Mattel, are executive producers.