NBC picks up German format

NBC is to make a US version of SevenOne International’s format Benidorm Bastards starring Golden Girls’ Betty White after striking a deal with the German distributor.

The US network will launch Betty White’s Off Their Rocker to be produced by Chris Coelen’s Kinetic Content, which is a subsidiary of SevenOne International’s parent company, German commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1.

The show will follow Golden Girls star White as she and seven senior citizens play pranks on unsuspecting youngsters.

The format, which was originally produced by Belgium’s Shelter, has already been sold into 20 territories including France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Separately, rival US network CBS is also remaking an European gameshow format. The network has greenlit a local version of Secret Fortune, to be produced by American Idol’s Nigel Lythgoe. The format was originally produced by Irish producer Wild Rover Producers and will be exec produced by Wild Rover’s Phil Morrow.