CBS’ ‘Beyond the Edge’ Sent Celebrities to the Jungle — And Producers Were Terrified They’d All Quit
variety.comMichael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCBS and the producers behind the network’s new reality series “Beyond the Edge” were bracing for their celebrity cast to mutiny.
They even had contingency plans in place, just in case their stars decided to give up in the face of grueling conditions.“I remember in the middle of production, saying on multiple occasions, ‘I can’t believe they’re still out there,’” says CBS alternative series senior VP Mitch Graham. “You never know in a new format, what you’re going to get.
We had an eight-episode order in place. My biggest concern was whether or not people would stick with it, and whether we could actually complete a series order.”Created and produced by Renegade, the company behind Discovery’s long-running smash “Naked and Afraid” (and years before that, “Blind Date”), “Beyond the Edge” features nine celebs roughing it on an island in Panama, teaming up and competing in challenges to earn money for their designated charities.
Signing on for “Beyond the Edge” (which premieres March 16 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS) were “American Idol” alum Lauren Alaina, Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, country artist Craig Morgan, NBA champion Metta World Peace, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, NFL legend Mike Singletary, actress Jodie Sweetin (“Full House”) and television personalities Colton Underwood (“The Bachelor”) and Eboni K.
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