| Shaq Vs. | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality, Competition |
| Directed by | J. Rupert Thompson |
| Starring | Shaquille O'Neal |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 10 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | August 18, 2009 – August 31, 2010 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
Shaq Vs. is an American reality television series produced for ABC by Dick Clark Productions and Media Rights Capital starring American basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. It began airing on August 18, 2009.[1]
Shaquille O'Neal claims to be "the greatest athlete" and challenged numerous top athletes in their own sports.
The Washington Post has pointed out similarities to Shaq Vs. and Todd Gallagher's book Andy Roddick Beat Me with a Frying Pan saying the book and the show have "precisely the same premise" and that a TV show based on the book Gallagher was trying to sell was "the exact same show."[2] TMZ later reported that Gallagher and O'Neal shared the same agent and the agent had previously shopped a virtually identical show with Gallagher. Gallagher's name appears in the credits of season 2 as a producer.
The Arizona Republic reported that in early 2008 Steve Nash, a former teammate of O'Neal's, had mentioned to O'Neal a reality show he was pursuing that would feature Nash taking on professional athletes in their own sport.[3] O'Neal said Nash's idea was based on training with other athletes, not competing against them. Nash would not confirm the Republic's story and said, "We collaborated on parts of the show." Nash is an executive producer of the program.[4]
Mike Goldberg, former play-by-play announcer for the UFC, has served as both the show's play-by-play announcer and one of the show's two co-hosts for all of its seasons. In season 1, Pat Tomasulo, sports anchor at WGN-TV, co-hosted with Goldberg while Charissa Thompson served as the sideline reporter.[5] In season 2, Kit Hoover served as both the co-host and sideline reporter.[6] Shaq's total record is 2 wins, 12 losses, and a tie.
The show did not return in 2011 for a third season.[7]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
usatwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "D.C. Sports Bog - Shaq Denied Entrance to White House".
- ^ Boivin, Paola (August 19, 2009). "Shaq's behind-the-back move". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
Shortly after O'Neal was traded to the Suns in February 2008, Nash mentioned to his new teammate a reality show he was pursuing.
- ^ "Shaquille O'Neal rejects talk he stole Steve Nash's idea". The Toronto Star. Associated Press. August 23, 2009. Archived from the original on August 26, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
At an appearance yesterday to promote the series-ending episode – in which he'll race against Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps – the Cleveland Cavaliers centre said Nash's premise was based on training with other athletes, not competing against them.
- ^ Murray-Yavar, Ann (2009-08-03). "'Shaq VS' Premieres: Shaq Against Ben Roethlisberger". Comcast.
- ^ ""SHAQ VS" PREMIERES AUGUST 3 ON ABC". theFuntonCritic.com. 2010-07-15.
- ^ "2010-11 canceled TV shows [pt 4] - updated May 2011". canceled TV shows - TV Series Finale. 15 June 2011.
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