Small World International has closed a licensing deal for its hit reality game-show format “Big In Japan” with TNT Russia. “It’s a real feather in our fedora to welcome Russia to the ‘Big in Japan’ family,” Tim Crescenti, President of Small World International, said. “Over 12 years, seven local adaptations and countless options, ‘Big in Japan’ has proved itself to be that rarest of beasts a format with genuine and enduring global appeal.”
A 10-episode Russian remake of “Big In Japan,” originally a Japanese show, is scheduled to go into production in Tokyo soon after it becomes safe to travel and produce under the current circumstances with the Covid-19 pandemic. “Part of its charm is that it gives international audiences a ring-side seat at the craziest show on earth, who wouldn’t want to watch people play ‘Dragon Up Your Nose?’ Crescenti said. “But for me, it’s what happens outside of the studio that makes Big in Japan such as compulsive viewing.”
The licensing deal with TNT follows the announcement in late June that Small World has entered into a first-look agreement with MGM Television, which has been ramping up its Global Formats division in recent months. The culture-clash game show, which took the top honors at the prestigious Rose d’Or Awards in 2009, has been adapted for seven territories and optioned in 19 since it launched on US network ABC in 2008. The format distributor initiated a strategic partnership with live-events and entertainment company Joe Lewis Company (JLC) earlier this month.
“Big in Japan” started life as a Danish paper format before being picked up by ABC, where it aired for two successful seasons in the late 2000s. The format sees nine Westerners travel to Tokyo to compete in a classic Japanese game show for a life-altering cash prize. On-screen, the intrepid Westerners take on their Japanese opponents in a series of surreal challenges, with rounds including “Dragon Up Your Nose,” “Big Foot Bang Bang” and “Stretchy Squid Face.”
Crescenti, who founded Small World with wife Colleen 15 years ago this week, is known for his ability to source compelling formats from previously untapped territories, including Thailand, Romania, Finland, and South Korea. Best known internationally for his landmark discovery of “Dragons’ Den” in 2001. His recent hits include NBC’s hit show “Better Late Than Never.” “This is fish-out-of-water, worlds-colliding entertainment at its best and certainly its maddest, yet the show has a heart, with the participants and viewers learning about themselves,” he said.
It’s a real feather in our fedora to welcome Russia to the ‘Big in Japan’ family. Over 12 years, seven local adaptations and countless options, ‘Big in Japan’ has proved itself to be that rarest of beasts a format with genuine and enduring global appeal.” Tim Crescenti President, Small World International
