MTV reality MMA series 'Caged'

[London Calling]

Exclusive: MTV is getting in the fighting spirit with "Caged," a new docuseries that chronicles a group of high school graduates who find self-esteem by engaging in mixed martial arts.

Also, the cabler is greenlighting a second season of "World of Jenks," now expanding to hourlong episodes.

"Caged," which takes places in rural Louisiana, examines twentysomethings who gather to fight in cages -- all the while trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Series is set to go into production shortly and will likely launch in 2012.

"We're always looking for subcultures to explore and do a deep dive into their lives," MTV programming topper David Janollari told Variety. "What I love about the show is that it's not just about fighting, but examining life in everytown America."

Janollari said the fights will likely be shown in each episode, all leading up to a bigger fight later in the season. The bouts are intense but aren't so graphic that they would offend viewers.

Series is exec produced by Joke Fincioen, Biagio Messina, Dave Sirulnick and Amy Bailey.

"Jenks" stars Andrew Jenks, who in the first season documented one person in each episode to get a sense of how he or she lived their lives. In the second season, Jenks will focus on three people over a six-month period.

The show debuted in September, immediately following the "MTV Music Awards." With the strong lead-in, the premiere drew 5 million viewers. However, the audience began eroding in subsequent episodes.

Despite the viewer attrition, Janollari feels the show remains a good fit for the cabler.

"Andrew is this incredible voice of the millennial generation," he said. "He's documenting in an honest and authentic way. He lives and infiltrates these lives."

Jenks is exec producer, with Brent Haynes and Brooke Posch. In addition to "Caged" and "Jenks," MTV has a full slate ahead. Net has previously announced it is going forward with new series "FriendZone," a Yank version of the Brit sitcom "The Inbetweeners" and a pair of "Jersey Shore" spinoffs.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118037433

the bouts arent so graphic as to offend viewers??


middleeasy said:

This morning, I was told that 'Caged' is 'Swamp People meets Jersey Shore, redneck Jersey Shore with more fighting.' That's quite a concise description from a network executive. Apparently the participants/actors in the show don't fight for money, but they are paid on a per-episode basis. The show will start production in the next few days and will air in the beginning of 2012.

sounds awful
but who knows

[sweep]

a disgrace for mma.... new york here we come...lol, never getting legalized!

[Hollywood Dang]

ringed

[brace]

This is some vile exploitation shit..

[Buddha_Cat]

If this gets more ratings than TUF................

[Jersey Shore Walcott]

Thats fucking lame. Reading the description I was actually pumped, but MiddleEasy ruined it for me ;__;

[Zvonimir]

Nothing good can come from this...

[Prince Mo]

I bet it will be exactly like them dumb youtube back yard fights but with pro cameras and older people

[Wifebeater]

If this gets more ratings than TUF................

[DieOff]

Sounds like the white people version of The Iron Ring that was BET years ago. Well sorta, not really, but whatever, it's MTVs first original MMA show/showcase, so its getting compared to Iron Ring in my book. Fuck it.

[Fizzle]

jamie yager was an iron ring winner. u mad?

[Prince Mo]

Black people get DADA5000 ref cam and caution tape, then shut down after a 10minuet on ESPN..


White people get HD Cameras and a full season on MTV..