The greatest viral video creators on the planet will go head-to-head in an epic battle for bragging rights and a cash prize in Syfy's innovative new eight-episode competition series, VIRAL VIDEO SHOWDOWN, premiering tonight, October 30 at 10:30PM (ET/PT), following the season two premiere of Syfy's hit series Total Blackout hosted by Jaleel White (Dancing with the Stars, Family Matters).
In each episode of Viral Video Showdown, hosted by Kevin Pereira (Attack of the Show), two teams will dig deep into their bag of viral tricks to create a video that best captures that week's theme and impresses the expert panel of viral video judges: Adam Sessler (G4's X-Play), YouTube star Brittani Taylor who has amassed over 160 million video views, and Sandeep Parikh (The Guild). Guest judges will include Andy Milonakis (The Andy Milonakis Show), YouTube lip-syncing sensation Keenan Cahill and "Obama Girl" Amber Lee Ettinger.
In the premiere episode "Real Life Movie Trailer," Final Cut King, a team of three college students known for their special effects wizardry, take on Half Day Today, a group of 16 television professionals who pride themselves on strong storytelling and comedy. With the challenge of creating a fake movie trailer, both teams race ahead with only four days and a limited budget to create a unique internet video. Only one team will be crowned victorious by the panel of judges and awarded the $5,000 cash prize.
Future episode themes include turning a cliché into a 90-second story in the style of an action film, the retelling of a fairy tale with a modern twist, the creation of a brand new sport or game and the promo to go along with it, and a musical how-to video.
Viral Video Showdown is produced by 495 Productions. SallyAnn Salsano (Jersey Shore, Nail Files, Tattoo Nightmares) and Kevin Pereira serve as executive producers.
Since its launch in 2006, 495 Productions has emerged as one of the television industry's foremost production powerhouses. The company specializes in developing innovative, character driven non-fiction programming for network and cable. Veteran producer, SallyAnn Salsano is the founder and creative force behind 495 Productions. 495 became a globally recognized brand with the blockbuster hit series Jersey Shore - the highest rated series in MTV history. Additionally, the company currently produces Friend Zone (MTV), Mamma Drama (VH1), Nail Files (TV Guide Network), Pauly D Project (MTV), Repo Games (SPIKE TV), Snooki & JWOWW (MTV), and Tanisha Getting Married (Oxygen) among other projects.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in more than 98 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
