Stars from television series from the 1960s to the present will participate in ABC’s revival of “Battle of the Network Stars,” whose 10-episode run will begin June 29.
The show is an ode to ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” and will feature 100 TV stars from 14 different network and cable companies taking their athleticism to a new level as they compete — to feel “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”
The original “Battle of the Network Stars” ran from 1976-88, often airing twice a year. Like the original, the new version was held at Pepperdine University. Events will again include tug of war, archery, kayaking and an obstacle course.
Current teams are based on characters the participants portrayed.
The premiere will pit a team of actors from past and present ABC situation comedies against a team of “TV Kids.”
The “TV Sitcoms” team consists of Bronson Pinchot (“Perfect Strangers”); Tom Arnold (“Roseanne”); Dave Coulier (“Full House”); AJ Michalka (“The Goldbergs”); and Tracey Gold (“Growing Pains.”)
Joey Lawrence (“Blossom”); Corbin Bleu (“High School Musical”); Nolan Gould (“Modern Family”); and “Facts of Life” castmates Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields, who both participated in the original “Battle of the Network Stars,” are on the TV Kids team.
Other episodes will include a team of stars from prime-time soap operas including “Beverly Hills, 90210” alumni Gabrielle Carteris and Ian Ziering and “Knots Landing” star Donna Mills against a team of cast members from past ABC series including Anson Williams, best known for his portrayal of Potsie Weber on “Happy Days”; and “CHiPs” stars Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as part of a team of TV cops against another team of sitcom stars including Todd Bridges (“Diff’rent Strokes.”)
Participants from past editions of “Battle of the Network Stars” returning to compete also include “The Love Boat” castmates Ted Lange and Jill Whelan; Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”); and Jimmy Walker (“Good Times.”)
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and former NFL outside linebacker and defensive end DeMarcus Ware will be team captains in each episode.
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg and Joe Tessitore will be the hosts, a role filled by the late Howard Cosell in the original version.
“There are many times I’m at Rupp Arena broadcasting a prime-time Kentucky game and there are 23,000 fans there and it’s a horrible event to call (when) it’s a blowout,” Tessitore told City News Service last week during a break in production. “You get a close competition here, I’m thrilled. Sports is sports.
“Give me good competition and I like to call it.”
Said Greenberg: “It’s been fun to hear it in his voice. Kim Fields … coming down the stretch of the obstacle course and Joe was calling it like the Belmont Stakes and a chance at the Triple Crown.”
–City News Service, staff