'Surreal' seconds on tap as Frog hops for celebs
Skein set record for WB preem
Frog net has greenlit a second season of "The Surreal Life," the half-hour unscripted comedy that mines yuks from putting C-list celebs under one roof. Casting has already started on the second batch of episodes, with a new season set to unspool later this year.
Renewal of "Surreal" comes barely a month after the skein bowed to boffo numbers as part of the WB's Thursday lineup, setting a record tune-in for a WB premiere on that night. Overall, skein has boosted the Frog's 12-34 Nielsen numbers 64% vs. the net's 9 p.m. Thursday average last fall.
"When we first decided to do 'The Surreal Life,' we knew it was a series that lent itself to multiple seasons, given the right mix of celebrities," said WB alternative chief Keith Cox. "Given the success of the first season, we believe we will score an equally compelling cast this time around."
Cox said "Surreal" works for the Frog because it's not a typical reality series.
"We love this show because it bends genres, placing celebrities in a familiar habitat, creating a living sitcom, which is as unreal as it is surreal," he said.
Current cast of "The Surreal Life" includes a diverse roster of celebs, from Hammer and Vince Neil to Emmanuel Lewis and Corey Feldman.
Cris Abrego, Mark Cronin, David Garfinkle, Jay Renfroe and Rick Telles are the exec producers of "Surreal Life," which is from Brass Ring Prods., Mindless Entertainment and Renegade 83.
Frog has had solid success launching new nonfiction programming this winter. "High School Reunion" also is doing well on Sunday nights and was recently picked up for a second season.
