FOX is known for pulling shows off the air that later go on to become cult hits. Both "Firefly" and "Almost Human" were suddenly pulled without remorse only to go on to gain big audiences afterwards. The network's itchy trigger finger has now put its new naked dating show on hold after an insider reported that the pilot description had "overtones of a live sex show."
FOX's executive vice president of alternative entertainment, Simon Andreae, was fast tracking the show before he received a red light to cease production. Along with producers A. Smith & Co Productions, Andeae was grooming the show to be ready for the new season.
Despite completing casting and plans to build the set, the show has now been put on hold. The program was reviewed earlier in the week and then production was halted by the top FOX executives. According to TheWrap.com, FOX is holding out on the show until new leadership at the network is in place.
Most studio pilots cost upward of $2 million, and the show was set to have naked participants date in front of a studio audience. While this is pretty racy for FOX, VH1 has a leg up on the network with its show "Dating Naked," debuting on July 17. VH1's version places contestants in exotic locations where they meet others of the opposite sex in the nude and decide which person they would like to date.
With FOX's history of racy programming, it seems to have an internal conflict on its hands. Apparently this is not the first misstep for Andreae after it was reported that another show of his, "Boom," about a fake bomb exploding touched a nerve with the FOX brass. It appears that FOX's former entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly, who left in June, has left a gaping hole at the network.
It is not clear whether or not the show will find life at FOX, but it does sound like a big gamble for the network. They are already behind the reality show "Utopia" to the tune of $50 million, so the naked dating show may not be in the cards for the upcoming season.
