TBI Formats Hot Picks: The Underdog

Producers: Primal Media & Motion Content Group | Distributor: All3Media International | Broadcaster: E4 (UK)

What seems like a straightforward reality competition format with a charismatic cast comes with an unexpected twist in the form of the unassuming ‘Alan’.

The participants believe they are competing in a popularity contest set in a unique environment, with underdog Alan amongst them. However, living secretly next door is a group of reality show celebrities who are playing their own game to manipulate everything to make sure that ‘Alan’ wins.

“The celebrities act as ‘producers’, so they have the ability to control key elements of the contestants’ world, not least the confession room interactions, which allow them to know what every player is secretly thinking,” reveals Primal Media’s Mat Steiner, executive producer on the series.

“They can create and control the challenges, influence the VTs played in the house, and even introduce format twists. They have one objective: to make the underdog shine and become the most popular person who wins. And where necessary, to try and hold back the incredible reality characters that the underdog is up against,” he adds.

‘Alan’ is deliberately set up as the antithesis of typical reality show contestants in order to make his successes all the more baffling to the other participants.

“All the contestants are conventionally popular, have big followings online and excel at influencing people,” says Steiner. “They are ‘alpha types who usually win contemporary reality shows. The underdog has none of these qualities – he is more of an observer than an extrovert and has an unfazed ‘why not?’ attitude about trying to be the most popular. He’ll be fine if he loses.”

Nick Smith, EVP of formats at All3Media International, meanwhile, believes that The Underdog “has all the ingredients to be an international hit. Reality and talent shows made up of gifted and glamorous people with big personalities are hugely popular all over the world and The Underdog offers a charming and surprising reinvention of these formats.”