Justin Timberlake to Produce New MTV Reality Series

By Jon Lafayette

Justin Timberlake will produce a new show for MTV called “The Phone,” which is scheduled to premiere in the fall.

The reality series is based on a Dutch format. Each episode of "The Phone" begins with two strategically hidden cell phones ringing at opposite ends of a major metropolitan city. Contestants find the phones and are told about challenges to win cash prizes. The caller continues to communicate with the contestants via cell phones, as a helicopter in the sky tracks their moves, exploits and errors, with each failed task chipping away at their winnings.

“Genre-busting and reinvention is at the core of what we do, and 'The Phone' does just that,” said Tony Disanto, executive VP for programming and series development at MTV, in a statement. “We're turning the reality competition format on its head and plunging the contestants into a real life 'Bourne Identity' -- not just in the tone and creative, but also in terms of the visual style and pacing. Each week will be an action packed mini-movie. When you watch, your heart will pound as hard as the contestants. This is Popcorn TV.”

“The Phone” is produced by FremantleMedia North America.

(Editor: Jensen)