The Mole Is Back - But Not Anderson Cooper Or Corbin Bernsen
One of my favorite reality shows is coming back to ABC this summer. Yes. They are bringing The Mole back. Unfortunately it isn't going to be Celebrity Mole which I loved even more, but beggars can't be choosers.
The show's first two seasons - hosted by Anderson Cooper - were a big draw for the network in 2001 and 2002, but midseason "celebrity" editions in the two years that followed failed to draw similarly high numbers. They might not have drawn as well, but until you see the paranoia that is Corbin Bernsen you haven't seen television. Plus, I may be wrong as I frequently am, but I believe that the money Kathy Griffin won on the show actually helped pay for a great deal of her A list home. See, the thing about Celebrity Mole was the money didn't go to charity, it went to the celebrity. Nothing like putting a quarter of a million bucks out in front of some unemployed D listers.
Anderson Cooper became a star because of The Mole and Ahmad Rashad fell further into obscurity.
This is a show we honestly love and people ask us about all the time," said John Saade, svp of reality at ABC. "We were looking to bring the show back even when the writers were working."
The only reason I don't think he is completely lying is that they are bringing it back for the summer which is typically when there is no new scripted television anyway, and where some great reality shows got their start.
The new season of ten episodes will revert to the original format, without celebs, but with some "minor tweaks" to make the show more accessible to viewers. The hunt is also on for a new host, with Cooper now locked in as an anchor for CNN and Ahmad Rashad, host of the celebrity editions, not being asked back.
"We're looking for someone in the Anderson mode, a little mysterious but full of comedy," said executive producer Scott Stone. "It could be a breakout role for someone."
Going have to change my queue on Netflix and get some Celebrity Mole for this weekend.
Haven't been this excited since it was confirmed Paris Hilton had herpes.
