“The Contender” is Coming!

In this undated promotional photo provided by NBC Universal, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone, hosts of NBC reality show ‘The Contender,’ pose. ‘The Contender’ is offering an impressive prize, $1 million and a four-year contract, to one of the 16 professional boxers competing in the new NBC reality series.
(AP Photo/NBC Universal, Chris Hasto)
– Craig

Sly on Vegas

Sylvester Stallone makes a rare television appearance when he guest stars on NBC’s Vegas at 9PM EST on Monday, January 3rd. Here’s info about the episode:

WHEN YOU GOT TO GO, YOU GOT TO GO
9pm 2005-01-03 ALL NEW!

WHEN ED IS KIDNAPPED, DANNY AND MIKE RACE AGAINST TIME TO FIND HIM — SYLVESTER STALLONE and DURAN DURAN GUEST STAR — When Ed (James Caan) is kidnapped, Danny (Josh Duhamel) and Mike (James Lesure) begin a frantic search of the city to find him. The fact that Ed refuses to let them contact autorities or pay the kidnapper’s ransom only makes their search more difficult. Sam (Vanessa Marcil) arranges a Vegas-style wedding for one of her clients, but it comes to a screeching halt when their lucky rings are lost. Elsewhere, Mary (Nikki Cox) and Delinda (Molly Sims) collaborate when the Montecito hosts a popular 80’s rock band (Duran-Duran). Marsha Thomason also stars. TV-14

Craig

Sylvester Stallone Back in the Ring

From the USA Weekend for October 29-31, 2004

Sylvester Stallone goes back to a boxing ring in January as host and co-producer of The Contender, an NBC “reality” entry. The man who became a star as Rocky Balboa offers potential Rockys a shot at fame and fortune, but he promises his audience more than a fight.

“The fights will just be about five minutes,” says Stallone, 58. Co-Producer Mark Burnett says Stallone is right for the job because “he loves boxing and what it means to the fans.” He’s been cold at the box office, though, so it’s unlikely a planned Rocky VI will happen now.


 Craig Zablo

Yo! Reality!

Sly is pictured on the cover of today’s USA Today ( July 12, 2004 ). Inside there is an article titled ‘ NBC steps into the ring with fall reality programs’ with another picture of Sly.

Here’s an except…” but Sylvester Stallone who will serve as the Donald Trump of The Contender, offered his own version of Trump‘s signature line: ” You’re unconscious.”

Thanks to Ernest “Jazzman” Resendes for the scan!

– Craig Zablo [July 12, 2004]

AMC’s RockyFest Scores a Knockout!

SZoner, JPolli1034, e-mailed to say that AMC‘s recent Rockyfest brought AMC some of the highest ratings that it’s had all season.

Here’s what MediaWeek.com had to say:

Ratings Box: What’s Hot/What’s Not

-AMC’s RockyFest Scores a Knockout:


AMC’s RockyFest: 5 Titles in 5 Nights from June 28-July 2 lifted the cable network to increases of 42 percent in households (.84 to 1.2), 92 percent in adults 18-49 delivery (380,000 to 728,000), and 80 percent in adults 25-54 delivery (384,000 to 722,000) over the June 2004 time period average. RockyFest, which averaged a 1.2 household rating, is now the second highest rated stunt on AMC this season to-date.


This just proves what we’ve known all along. People still love and, more imortantly, want to see Rocky. The time is right for Rocky VI.

Craig Zablo [July 11, 2004]

Stallone Goes Back to Boxing for TV Show

From the Associated Press Sat, Apr 24, 2004

ESSEN, GermanySylvester Stallone, the star of the five “Rocky” movies, says he’s hoping to draw people who don’t like boxing to his latest on-screen venture — a reality television show featuring young fighters.

Stallone, 57, is the executive producer of “The Contender,” slated to start next year, finding and grooming would-be boxers.

“All these 16 fighters must have a very good story and an interesting background,” Stallone said Saturday at a fitness fair in Germany. “You’ll get to know their wives and children, their mothers. It’s very emotional.”

“What I really want is for people, especially women, who don’t like boxing, to watch this show because it’s a drama,” he added.

The winner of the NBC series is to get $1 million and the chance to become a professional prize fighter. The boxers will fight one another in a weekly elimination process similar to other reality shows.

Stallone, in Essen to promote his nutritional products company, Instone, said he likely would no longer be tempted by a major movie role that would take him away from his family for months.

“I had my high point 30 years ago,” he said. “I had a very unusual career. It was too good — how do you top that?”


Craig