Fox’s ‘American Grit’: No charm, no harm

One in a series of Media Life previews of the new shows debuting this midseason.

Show

Fox’s “American Grit”

Timeslot

Thursdays at 9 p.m.

Plot summary

This reality show features four teams of four, mentored by hardcoare military members, who are competing for the title of grittiest American, apparently.

The challenges are designed to test the skill of the teams, not the individuals, and will be graded on who finishes first as a squad.

Each episode culminates in an obstacle course. Whoever wins gets a prize up to a million dollars.

The show is hosted by popular WWE star John Cena, who is also an executive producer.

Outlook

The show isn’t a disaster, but it’s also not likely to become a hit.

Cena makes a winning host, and the mentors have impressive credentials.

But the aim of the show is not as straightforward as, say, becoming the next “American Idol.” It’s not always clear what the teams are working toward, and so it doesn’t make for compelling television.

Plus, more problematically, “Grit” doesn’t fit thematically with its lead-in, “Bones,” a procedural with bits of comedy.

“Grit” is also airing, coincidentally, on the same night as NBC’s “Strong,” another show about people with physical prowess competing to be the best.

While “Strong” isn’t expect to be a hit either, the similarities between the two shows could confuse viewers.

What media people are saying

Buyers say the show looks like filler, the sort of cheap reality show the networks rely on to keep timeslots warm when they don’t have any original scripted fare.

Fox hasn’t had a new hit reality show in some time, and to get one would be a big coup for the network.

But largely Fox just hopes to draw stronger ratings than it would by running repeats, buyers say.

What critics say

“Under former reality czar Mike Darnell, Fox enjoyed a longstanding reputation as a risk-taker within the genre, for better and (often) worse. By contrast, when programmers are content to throw out the sort of me-too fare that mimics what cable networks are already supplying in abundance, well, ‘Grit’ happens.”—Brian Lowry, Variety

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