Mark Burnett inks deal with Ralph Edwards Prods. to bring back the classical documentary TV series 'This Is Your Life'.
- Oct 10, 2008
AceShowbiz - British TV producer, Mark Burnett, is going to produce a remake of the classic TV show, "This Is Your Life". He will collaborate with the old series former producer, Ralph Edwards Prods, to revive the show.
"'This Is Your Life' is one of the most enduring programs to air on television, and we are thrilled to be bringing it back with the top producer of unscripted entertainment," the president of Ralph Edwards Prods, Barbara Dunn-Leonard, who owns the rights of the format, stated. "There is no better partner to carry on the legacy of 'This Is Your Life' and introduce the program to a new generation of fans."
Burnett, president of Mark Burnett Productions, said in a statement, "As a franchise with broad appeal for viewers of all generations, 'This Is Your Life' is a perfect fit for our company."
Burnett is known for introducing reality TV as a genre to the U.S. His involvement in "This Is Your Life" is about three years after Fox TV Studios tried to revive the format. ABC developed a remake in 2005 with Fox TV Studios, but the project, to be hosted by Regis Philbin, never made it to air.
"This Is Your Life" is a sort of unexpected reunions which surprise celebrity guests with people from their past. It launched firstly in 1948 as a radio program. It aired as a TV series on NBC from 1952-1961, then had a brief revival in 1972. In 1955, the show continued a very long run in the U.K. and is still running in Australia.
