'Celebrity Mole: Yucatan' wins Outstanding Enhanced Television Emmy - Reported by: AyaK on 09-22-2004

The respected ABC reality series The Mole may be gone, but it will live on in the record books as a 2004 Emmy winner.

The final edition of the show, Celebrity Mole: Yucatan (also known among Mole aficionados as The Mole 4), received an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Enhanced Television in the "creative arts" portion of the 2004 Primetime Emmy ceremonies.

The award, part of the "interactive television" awards, is given to television programs that have been enhanced with interactive content. Voting for this "area award" (which means, in part, that an award in the category is not required to be given out if a majority of the jury does not agree on a winner) is performed by a jury selected from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Interactive Peer Group.

In winning, Celebrity Mole: Yucatan defeated CSI: Miami Interactive (CBS), The View: His/Her Body Test (ABC), NFL Sunday Game Tracker (DirecTV), 2004 TV Land Awards (TV Land), Jetix Cards Live! (ABC Family / Toon Disney), PitCommand Quals (Turner Sports), and Ride Along Video Application (Speed Channel).

The Emmy was presented to interactive producers ABC Enhanced Television and Zetools. In a press release on its Web site, Zetools notes that the interactive content for Celebrity Mole: Yucatan, which was won by former NBA star Dennis Rodman, was the first to use the Windows XP Media Center Edition PC platform, which allowed viewers to watch TV and interact with the broadcast on a single screen. In addition, the interactive content also ran on ABC's proprietary "two-screen" platform.

We applaud ABC, Zetools and Celebrity Mole: Yucatan for breaking new ground on the interactive front, and we note that The Mole, in which both the audience and the contestants are trying to identify "the mole," is a perfect game for an interactive platform. Unfortunately, right now it appears that this award may represent the final new ground ever broken by a U.S. version of The Mole.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Finale episode summary - Reported by: Admin on 02-22-2004

"The Freak and the Sneak," our episode summary for the final episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by survivorscott, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

ABC passes on more 'The Mole' editions, series being shopped to other networks - Reported by: Admin on 02-21-2004

In a surprising development, the struggling ABC Network has let its option for future installments of its The Mole reality franchise expire, making the program a "free agent" eligible to be picked up by other broadcast networks.

According to Daily Variety, given the relatively strong ratings performance of the just-completed Celebrity Mole Yucatan edition -- which tied for first in its timeslot in the desirable Adults 18-34 demographic and improved the network's previous time period average by 43% -- the decision befuddled other Hollywood executives.

While at first glance the network's decision to refuse to quickly commit to another Mole edition and allow the option to lapse might seem to bode ill for Mole fans, upon more careful consideration, getting away from ABC -- a network that has mishandled the show for several years now (dating back to its inexplicable Friday night scheduling of Fall 2001's The Mole II: The Next Betrayal and subsequent shelving of the series until Summer 2002) -- might be the best thing that could ever happen to the popular "whodunit" series.

Variety notes that the program's Stone Stanley producers are actively pitching the show to other networks as an "Adults 18-34 magnet" -- with a real possibility that, should another series opt to pick up the series, the new broadcast network would finally authorize what true Mole viewers have been craving for two years now and what ABC refused to do -- approve the filming of a third full-length non-celebrity edition of the show (the dumbed-down celebrity editions are far too easy for true "molerons.")

Regardless of whatever statements ABC executives might make in any attempt to explain their decision (and they wonder why they've been in last place for several years now) other networks found the network's decision to be a bit of a head-scratcher. One rival executive whose considering making a bid for the program told Variety that, given ABC's lack of any major hits, "you'd think they'd be treating that show like it was Dynasty."

Angie Everhart revealed as 'Celebrity Mole Yucatan' mole while Dennis Rodman wins $222,000 - Reported by: Admin on 02-19-2004

Capping off six episodes of mole searching, supermodel/actress Angie Everhart was revealed as The Mole, and former NBA basketball badboy Dennis Rodman was the lucky winner of $222,000, on the season finale of Celebrity Mole Yucatan which aired Wednesday, February 18, on the ABC Television Network.

Despite being the first contestant to properly suspect Everhart was the game's saboteur, comedian Mark Curry placed second to Rodman in the contest's final twenty question test.

In addition to Everhart, Rodman, and Curry, the cast included "VJ" and talk-show host Ananda Lewis, sitcom stars Tracey Gold (Growing Pains) and Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show) and returning players Stephen Baldwin (Usual Suspects, One Good Cop) and Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Major League). Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Ahmad Rashad was the host of the series.

Despite failing to take any significant notes during the competition and suspecting Gold of being the mole during the series' penultimate quiz, Rodman answered seventeen of the final quiz's twenty questions correctly.

The seven-episode Celebrity Mole Yucatan series was produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment. David G. Stanley, Scott A. Stone and Clay Newbill were the executive producers.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 6 summary - Reported by: Admin on 02-16-2004

"Meanwhile, At The Hall Of Idiocy...," our episode summary for the sixth episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by Estee, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 5 summary - Reported by: Admin on 02-11-2004

"Tragedy Strikes As The S.S.Gold Sinks Straight Down To The Bottom," our episode summary for the fifth episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by EmeraldBrooch, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

GSN cable network acquires rights to previous 'The Mole' series - Reported by: Admin on 02-10-2004

As part of its rebranding strategy that includes the addition of more reality-focused programming, the Game Show Network, now known as just GSN, has announced that it has acquired the rebroadcast rights to the first three editions of ABC's The Mole reality series.

Elaborating on its expanded programming commitment and rebranding effort, GSN's President and CEO Rich Cronin said, "As the leading network for interactive game shows, it is natural for us to expand to a variety of game-related programming. Since we were already using the name 'GSN' on-air and at gsn.com, and our viewers and the industry also frequently used it, we decided to make GSN our official name, adding the tagline 'The Network for Games.' Our vision is to become the global leader in interactive television games."

The Mole episodes will air weekly on Tuesdays at 10 PM ET/PT beginning on March 16th with the first episode of 2003's six-episode Celebrity Mole: Hawaii third edition of the series. Featuring minor celebrities Kathy Griffin, Corbin Bernsen, Stephen Baldwin, Michael Boatman, Kim Coles, Frederique Van Der Wal, and Erik von Detten, the series was hosted by Ahmad Rashad.

Following Celebrity Mole's broadcast, full runs of the program's prior "civilian" editions of the program will follow, starting with 2001 original nine-episode edition of the series. Hosted by current CNN newsman Anderson Cooper, the series was won by Denver undercover police officer Steven Cowles, who took home $510,000 of the show's possible maximum $1,000,000 prize.

After the original series' run, the thirteen-episode The Mole II: The Next Betrayal -- which premiered in Fall 2001 but was quickly pulled off the airwaves only to return to strong ratings in Summer 2002 -- will follow. Also hosted by Cooper, the second edition's $636,000 jackpot was won by New York City musician and Ivy League graduate Dorothy Hui.

GSN, the Network for Games, is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game-related programming and interactive game playing. The network features game shows, reality series, documentaries, video game programs and casino games.

As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features 84 hours per week of interactive programming, which allows viewers a chance to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via gsn.com. Reaching 54 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 4 summary - Reported by: Admin on 01-31-2004

"Four Crazy FOMOs," our episode summary for the fourth episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by Jims02, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 3 summary - Reported by: Admin on 01-26-2004

"Stephen Says Hello and You Say Goodbye, Again," our episode summary for the third episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by magic_star, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 2 summary - Reported by: Admin on 01-17-2004

"The Very Small Rise And Long Fall Of Corbin Bernsen," our episode summary for the second episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by Estee, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

Ratings soar for second 'Celebrity Mole Yucatan' episode - Reported by: Admin on 01-17-2004

What a difference a good lead-in can make. Taking full advantage of its The Bachelorette season premiere lead-in, the second episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan drew significantly better ratings than its week ago premiere.

While still placing second behind NBC's powerhouse Law & Order in both total viewers and the overall ratings,
Celebrity Mole Yucatan took full advantage of Bachelorette's strong young adult lead-in ratings to win its time period in the Adults 18-34 (4.6/14) and Teens 12-17 (3.3/13) demographics.

With Bachelorette replacing last week's fourth place Life After Extreme Makeover special as its lead-in, Celebrity Mole Yucatan posted enormous across-the-board gains from its January 7 season premiere, growing by 28% in total viewers (9.2 million vs. 7.2 million), by 25% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/12 vs. 3.6/9), and by 28% in Adults 18-34 (4.6/14 vs. 3.6/11).

Excluding the two occasions when extended editions of The Bachelor aired in the 10 PM hour, Celebrity Mole Yucatan generated ABC's highest Adult 18-49 rating in the time period this season with regular programming.

Sans 'Bachelorette" lead-in, 'Celebrity Mole Yucatan' premiere struggles in the ratings - Reported by: Admin on 01-14-2004

Lesson learned -- perhaps moving the debut of Celebrity Mole Yucatan up a week from its originally scheduled January 14 post-Bachelorette 2 premiere wasn't the smartest programming move ABC could have made.

Airing in the 10 PM ET timslot after a disappointing 9 PM ET Life After Extreme Makeover special that finished fourth in its timeslot, the season premiere of "Celebrity Mole Yucatan" finished third overall in its timeslot, although it did fare better among the young adult viewers that advertisers (and therefore networks) crave.

The Celebrity Mole Yucatan premiere built on its Adult 18-49 lead-in by 9% (3.6/9 vs. 3.3/8) and on its Adult 18-34 lead-in by 29% (3.6/11 vs. 2.8/8) to earn second place in its hour on both measures. Celebrity Mole Yucatan also won the hour among Teens 12-17, beating NBC's Law & Order (2.0/9 vs. 1.9/8).

From its first half-hour to its second half-hour, Celebrity Mole Yucatan gained audience share among young adult viewers: Adults 18-34 (3.6/10 to 3.7/11) and Adults 18-49 (3.6/9 to 3.5/10).

Airing after last year's premiere of the original Trista Rehn-led edition of The Bachelorette, Celebrity Mole Hawaii drew an average audience of 10.8 million viewers and notched a 5.3 rating, 14 share among Adults 18-49, which placed it second to NBC's Law & Order on both counts.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan - Episode 1 summary - Reported by: Admin on 01-11-2004

"Dear Diary..." our episode summary for the premiere episode of ABC's Celebrity Mole Yucatan, written by DebCapsFan, has now been posted.

Check it out by clicking here.

'Celebrity Mole Yucatan' premiere moved up to January 7 on ABC - Reported by: AyaK on 12-12-2003

ABC has made a change in the previously-announced schedule for its upcoming Celebrity Mole Yucatan. The first episode of the seven-episode series will now air on Wednesday, January 7, 2004 at 10 PM EST/PST.

The one-week change in the premiere date (originally planned for January 14) means that the series will end during the third week of the February sweeps instead of on the final day of the sweeps. The motivation behind the change was not revealed, but it might have been intended to help Celebrity Mole Yucatan establish itself among the glut of reality programming planned for early January on the six broadcast networks.

As previously discussed, the tropical paradise of Mexico's exotic Yucatan peninsula will be the setting for eight celebrities competing to figure out who among them is the Mole, and to win a possible cash prize of up to $250,000, in Celebrity Mole Yucatan.

Newcomers to the show include legendary basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman, former v.j. and talk-show host Ananda Lewis, comedian Mark Curry (Hangin' with Mr. Cooper), supermodel Angie Everhart, sitcom stars Tracey Gold (Growing Pains) and Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show). These six will battle with returning players Stephen Baldwin (The Usual Suspects, One Good Cop) and Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Major League), who hope to avenge their early executions on the Hawaiian version of the series last season.

Sportscaster Ahmad Rashad also returns to host the series. Perhaps he'll bring a sense of humor along this time.

In the premiere, "Episode 401," the players are taken on the ride of their lives as Corbin Bernsen jumps speed bumps and runs stop signs driving the "Celebrity Mole Taxi" through the streets of Mexico, picking everyone up. The games continue, including a challenge to go skinny dipping in the warm Mexican waters. Who will be the Mole's first victim?

Celebrity Mole Yucatan will be a special seven-episode version of The Mole series, as each of the eight celebrities tries to figure out who among them is The Mole. The celebrities will use all their guile to uncover clues that could lead them to a pot of up to $250,000. They must complete a series of challenging physical and mental games to earn money for the pot, which one player will eventually win.

Working undercover against the team, however, is The Mole, a double agent planted by the producers to sabotage the players' efforts. It is the goal of the players to decide who they think The Mole is, then learn as much about him or her as possible. In the final dramatic episode, The Mole is revealed and the one remaining player wins the jackpot.

And maybe ... just maybe ... if this show does well in the ratings, ABC will greenlight a third edition of The Mole using regular contestants instead of celebrities. Our only request is that the show find a new host (presuming that original host Anderson Cooper, now with CNN, can't return) before that happens.

Celebrity Mole Yucatan is produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment. David G. Stanley, Scott A. Stone and Clay Newbill are the executive producers.

'Celebrity Mole Yucatan' to premiere January 14 on ABC - Reported by: Admin on 11-17-2003

Well it took awhile, but ABC has finally announced a premiere date for Celebrity Mole Yucatan, the fourth installment of its The Mole reality series. Greenlighted in March 2003, filmed in Spring 2003 in Mexico, and first announced in June 2003, the series will premiere on Wednesday, January 14 at 10PM ET following the premiere of the second installment of network's The Bachelorette series.

During the seven episode series, returning Celebrity Mole Hawaii players Stephen Baldwin and Corbin Bernsen will be joined by former VJ and talk show host Ananda Lewis, comedian Mark Curry, sitcom stars Tracy Gold and Keisha Knight Pulliam, supermodel Angie Everhart, and legendary basketball bad boy Dennis Rodman as they all complete in a series of challenging physical and mental games, while using all their guile to uncover clues that could earn them up to $250,000. Onetime NFL star Ahmad Rashad also returns as host.

As in previous editions of the series, each of the eight celebrities will try to figure out who among them is The Mole, a person planted by the producers to sabotage their efforts to win money. The celebrities will use all their guile to uncover clues that could lead the winner to a pot of up to $250,000, which the winner gets to keep. In Celebrity Mole Hawaii, the winner, comedienne Kathy Griffin, took home $233,000.

"We learned from Celebrity Mole Hawaii that performers play this game very, very well because their acting abilities raise their level of deception," said Scott A. Stone, executive producer of the series .

Celebrity Mole Yucatan is produced by Stone Stanley Entertainment. David G. Stanley, Scott A. Stone and Clay Newbill are executive producers.