Robots roll out—get it? The nerdy reality competition show about fighting robots is back for a second round. This time, instead of being on Comedy Central—because apparently there is nothing funnier than a nerd battling robots—it now airs on ABC in a six episode summer stint. Network change aside, BattleBots is still just as nerdy as it was before, if not more.
The Premise
BattleBots is a tech-friendly, nerdy reality TV show which follows competing teams as they design and operate real life badass battling robots, specifically designed for dueling purposes in a tournament. With each passing duel, one competitor is eliminated and the winner progresses on until there is only one victorious team. This means that separate weight classes will also be eliminated, so robots from every class will eventually face off with one another. According to Deadline, in the original run of BattleBots, robots were classified into one of four classes: lightweight (60 lbs), middleweight (120 lbs), heavyweight (220 lbs) and super heavyweight (340 lbs).
As entertaining as it is to watch the showdowns amongst the robots, BattleBots is in part a reality show, and so we also get entertained by backstories and commentary from the competitors as they prepare to duel other teams. The winners of the championship rounds receive cash prizes. Once again, nerdiness pays off, folks.
The Reboot
For those who remember the first run of BattleBots on Comedy Central between August 2000 and August 2002, you may notice a few changes to the reboot of the show. For starters, hosts Bill Dwyer, Sean Salisbury and Tim Green have not returned and were replaced by a single host, the beautiful Molly McGrath—who you may know from her weekday job as a FOX Sports Broadcaster. McGrath is joined by three co-hosts, if you will, that each function in a very specific role on the show. Chris Rose handles the play-by-play announcements, Kenny Florian does color commentary—which is basically like saying he’s the jokester of the group—and Faruq Tauheed is the ring announcer. Tauheed replaces the announcer from the first run famed boxing ring announcer Mark Beiro.
There are also a few judges (Leland Melvin, Jessica Chobot and Fon Davis) and a couple sideline reporters (Alison Haislip and Bobak Ferdowski) to spice up the show from the original format. Aside from the additional hosts, the next biggest change up is the fact that Bill Nye the Science Guy—who served as the technical expert, of course—has not returned to the reality competition. Don’t worry; the show is not without an onsite expert. That role is now assumed by Ferdowski, who’s bravely wearing two hats, apparently. Take a look.
BattleBots airs Sunday nights at 9:00pm EST on ABC.