TV, eh?

KIDS CLOCK INTO REAL LIFE IN YTV’S NEW REALITY SERIES “IN THE REAL WORLD”

• Series’ premiere Wed., Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on YTV
• Eighteen kids from 13 Canadian cities compete in a race across North America
• Canadian comedian Sabrina Jalees hosts

In one of Canada’s most ambitious reality series for kids to date, eighteen contestants – aged 12-14 – race across North America in a heart-pounding, skill-based competition that allows kids to clock into the real world for the first time. Hosted by Canadian comedian Sabrina Jalees, in each episode contestants must avoid elimination by competing in a series of thrilling job-related challenges in professions that range from NASCAR racers and Hollywood stunt people to ER doctors and alligator wranglers. It is a fierce race to the finish with only one challenger winning the ultimate prize: college tuition money and an all-expense paid family vacation to one of four amazing destinations. “In the Real World” (13 x 60’) airs Wednesdays at 7 p.m. ET/PT beginning Feb. 4 on YTV. A YTV original production, the series is produced by Montreal-based Apartment 11 Productions.

“Kids always hear ‘don’t touch’, but it’s experiencing life that makes kids grow,” says Jonathan Finkelstein, creator and executive producer. “When we first approached professionals about giving our kids tactical experiences, the typical response was that kids can’t do that. Our challengers prove – much to the amazement of several adults – that it’s simply not true.”

The 18 kids – who herald from 13 cities across Canada – are put to the ultimate test to discover the strength, stamina and skill it takes to make it in the real world. In each episode of “In the Real World”, challengers start a new race based on one of 13 specific professions. Within each race, challengers must complete a series of ‘jobs’ or tasks. Doing the job quickly helps, but doing it properly is more important. The object of each race is to cross the finish line as quickly as possible to avoid elimination. Host Sabrina Jalees gives the instructions for each race and eliminates challengers at the finish line. At the end of each race, the first team to arrive can choose between a Big Reward (a physical prize or exciting activity) or the Wrench (a strategic prize that lets the team thwart another team’s efforts in the next race). There is also a ‘Shield’ hidden on each racecourse. If presented by a last place team, it can save them from elimination.

The contestants come from thirteen different cities including Victoria, BC; Abbotsford, BC; Langley, BC and Salt Spring Island, BC; Winnipeg, MB; Mississauga, ON; Barrie, ON; Ottawa, ON; Toronto, ON; Woodbridge, ON; Beaver Dam, NB; Fort Ellis, NS; and Charlottetown, PEI.

* Episode 1: Auto Racing

Wed., Feb 4 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

Eighteen challengers – aged 12-14 – begin their real-world competition at the Atlanta Motor Speedway for a thrilling NASCAR experience. Here contenders must compete in a karting race, go garage-side to become NASCAR mechanics and turn into lightning-fast pit crew specialists before racing to the finish at 225 km/hour in a real NASCAR!

* Episode 2: Alligator Wranglers

Wed., Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. ET/PT

In the heart of the steamy Florida Everglades, challengers must wrangle one of the deadliest animals known to man – alligators! – at The Alligator Farm in Florida City. Starting easy with wee baby gators, the competition intensifies when each team must wrestle a 500-pounder. Things become ultra-extreme when teams must feed gross dead rats to a swamp full of the hungry reptiles or risk being eliminated.

At only 23, host Sabrina Jalees is a critically acclaimed stand-up comic, television host and keynote speaker. Early in her career, Sabrina broke Mike Meyer’s record for being the youngest artist hired by Second City. She was also the youngest stand-up comic to perform at Yuk Yuk’s. Sabrina’s previous TV credits include hosting CBC’s “Smart Ask” and “The Toronto Show”; acting as a writer/performer on Much Music’s “Video on Trail” and “Stars Gone Wild” and acting as a writer and on-air personality for SLICE’s “Plastic Makes Perfect”. Sabrina also hosts the CBC radio show “LOL – Laugh Out Loud”.

“In the Real World” episodes will be simulcast and catalogued on YTV.com for the series’ duration.

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